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Christmas Gift Idea: DIY Playtime Mail Center

December 5 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Between last year's Sensory Box and Easy Handmade Gifts for Imaginative Play posts and this year's DIY dress up box post, you've probably figured that I really like the idea of a homemade creative play box for Christmas.  So it should be no surprise that I'm back today with yet another idea along those lines - the DIY Playtime Mail Center.   Playroom mailboxes have been popping up all over the web lately and it's not hard to figure out why.  Kids absolutely love getting mail and parents … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dramatic Play, Learning & Engaging, Seasonal Fun, The Make & Play Vault

Christmas Gift Idea: Busy Bags (Great for Advent, Stockings, or Under the Tree)

November 30 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

photos via MADE and the rigneys   The popularity of our current giveaway for a 6 month kid craft club subscription tells me that you guys are hungry for some quick and easy kid activities to fill up your winter months.  So today we're gonna talk about a magical little wonder know as "the busy bag".  If you're not familiar with the concept then it's your lucky day - this post may just change your world.   The definition of a busy bag varies somewhat based on who you talk to.  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Learning & Engaging, Quiet Time, Seasonal Fun, The Make & Play Vault

Make Like a Montessori Mama: Part 4 – Shape Activities

November 14 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Part 4 of the "Make like a Montessori Mama" series is definitely my favorite, it's right up our alley.  C loves creating pictures with his Magnetic Pattern Blocksand learning the names of the shapes (everything from quadrilaterals to trapezoids).  Plus this shape sorter is currently S's toy of choice.  I can't wait to try out these activities with the kids later this week... Take it away Kylie:   Five great Montessori inspired activities about SHAPES! There are many Montessori … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Learning & Engaging, Make Like a Montessori Mama

We Tried It! – Discovery Bottles

November 9 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

I've been on the lookout lately for a new activity both the kids would enjoy. S is going through an afternoon crankiness phase (at least I hope it's a phase) and C is always up for something novel to play with. After thinking over my options a bit, my mind turned to the various discovery bottles I've seen popping up on pinterest.   These guys are easy to make and open to lots of interpretation.  I figured if I came up with multiple version, C and S were each bound to like a few of them. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Learning & Engaging, Sensory & Interactive Play, The Make & Play Vault, We Tried It Tagged With: baby discovery bottles, baby play idea, discovery bottles, DIY discovery bottles

The Super-Sized-Mega-Big-Post on Playing with Shadows

September 21 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

photos via Small Types   So I bet you're expecting a slew of shadow puppets and Halloween fun from this post, right?  You won't be disappointed - there's TONS.  That is, afterall, what sparked the idea for today's collection.   But in tracking down lots of interesting shadow activities, I found a surprising number of ideas that don't involve puppets or jack-o-lanterns.  In fact, I've found activities for every occasion - indoors, outdoors, daytime, nighttime, sun, or … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dramatic Play, Learning & Engaging, Outdoor Play, The Make & Play Vault

Simple DIY Hammer & Nails Toy

September 13 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Do you guys remember the play workbench roundup I did a while back?  After all that research we ended up deciding we just didn't have the space.  Plus, one of C's favorite games lately is to "fix" one of his riding toys with a series of pretend tools that I hand to him one by one (Now I need a hammer Mommy, OK now I need a screwdriver Mommy) and I didn't want to kill all that imagination with actual tools.   Every once in a while, though, C just really wants to pound on something.  So I … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dramatic Play, Learning & Engaging, The Make & Play Vault

Found: 10 Ways to Have Fun with Clouds

September 7 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

Lately I've noticed an abundance of cumulonimbus coolness popping up... must be something in the air (sorry, I'm ridiculous, I know).  Today I've got no less than 10 clever ways for you and your little ones to have fun with clouds.  Whether you're looking for science, art, or just something fun to play with - I've got all the bases covered:   Make DIY Clouds - Done in celebration of Eric Carle's Little Cloud, these DIY clouds are a great sensory activity for kids of all ages.  Make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Educational Activities, Learning & Engaging, Outdoor Play, The Make & Play Vault

We Tried It! – DIY Edible Fingerpaints

August 8 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

I was recently lamenting on the facebook page that I find myself blogging about fun activities for the kids more often than we actually do them.  I've told myself engaging in messy art projects with a toddler and a baby is just too difficult.  And while that may have been true in the past, S is a year old now and the name of the blog is Modern Parents MESSY kids... it's time to put up or shut up.   So today I'm introducing a new series, called "We Tried It!", in which I'll be trying … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Art + Kid Crafts, Learning & Engaging, Sensory & Interactive Play, The Make & Play Vault, We Tried It

DIY Puppet Theaters & the Benefits of Puppet Play

July 25 by Steph (MPMK Founder)

I'm so honored to have Amanda of Not Just Cute guest posting today.  If you've been an MPMK reader for long then you know what a big fan I am of both her blog and her e-book, Parenting with Positive Discipline.  I've referenced Amanda's insightful posts many, many times on topics ranging from picking the right preschool and talking to young children about death to being a better listener and Dr. Seuss.  Today, in typical Not Just Cute fashion, Amanda shares with us not only her favorite DIY … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Dramatic Play, Learning & Engaging, The Make & Play Vault

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