Happy Friday everyone. We're currently on family vacation at the lake, yay! But I still wanted to quickly stop in and make sure you guys are checking out all the fun summer camps popping up around the blogosphere. First up is dandee's Summer Craft Camp, which is actually her posts on a real camp she holds for girls every summer. I recently found out that she's only about 3 1/2 hours away from me and I'm already plotting how to get S to this camp when she's big enough (the … [Read more...]
Ideas & Tools for Dramatic Play
This week started off with routine doctor appointments for the kids, which also meant routine shots. To say I wasn't looking forward to it is an understatement. I had visions of one kiddo watching the other scream in pain only to find out (from me) that they were next on the hot seat. In the end, though, it turned out to be a rather benign experience. Ironically, my saving grace was C falling down and scraping his knee the day before. The cut was so minor that I didn't really … [Read more...]
Meet the Light Box – Your New Must Have Toy?
photos via Play at Home Mom Are you guys familiar with children's light boxes? I recently ran across two different blogs (Play at Home Mom and Teach Preschool) that are having all kinds of fun with them and I'm kinda in love. These blogs have shown me so many cool things you can do with a light box that I'm pretty sure it won't be long until I decide we absolutely have to have one. Seriously, I think these could be right up there with our beloved sensory box. From … [Read more...]
More Homemade Fun
You all seemed to really enjoy the DIY Toys that are Totally Worth the Effort post a few weeks back. So today I've got another collection of DIY toys and games that are so easy to make, even the kids can get in on the fun. What can I say, I'm a pleaser! (My real life friends are shaking their heads right now - I'm so not.) Read on for all the goodies. Sock Monkey Puppets at Mom Inc. Daily. Shapes and Colors Memory Game at dandee. Vacation Crafts: Rubber Band Balls at Creative Jewish … [Read more...]
Learning Through Play
To say I'm not a fan of structured academics for young children would be an understatement (those "teach your baby to read" commercials make me throw up in my mouth a little). But that doesn't mean I'm not in favor of learning. Following a child's lead and introducing basic concepts into favorite playtime activities can be a great way to to learn at home. Over at momtastic today I'm sharing a few ideas on how to do just that. Check it out here. (And P.S. - just so you know, C is a … [Read more...]
10 Incredible Set Ups for Dramatic Play
photos via Frugal Family Fun Blog, TinkerLab, and No Time for Flashcards. Earlier this month one of my favorite sites, ohdeedoh, was kind enough to highlight my DIY Veggie Garden Sensory Box. As always, it was a thrill to be featured but the comments were also somewhat eye-opening. One reader wrote, "Maybe I'm missing something, but this seems really odd and pointless... if you want to excite kids about caring for a garden, why not get a houseplant and teach them how to care … [Read more...]
Simple Play: Cardboard
I've had cardboard boxes on the brain ever since I included this amazing birthday party in one of my Weekend Look Books. Luckily, so has everyone else! Which means lots of good stuff for me to peruse and now share with you. Today I've got a great roundup of cardboard box activities and even a few products to enhance the fun. Yes, I know this is my 3rd consecutive round up post. I think all the Easter projects as well as the subsequent Veggie Garden Sensory Box, Teacher Appreciation Kit, … [Read more...]
Adding a Little Science to Playtime
I'm over at momtastic today posting ideas on how to inject a little science into your summertime fun. Speaking of summer, I have two announcements to make: You may recall that I recently posted about Melissa & Doug's trunki on my facebook wall and added it to MPMK's favorite things for traveling. Well, guess what, just in time for your summer travels - select models of the Melissa & Doug Trunki are currently 40% off at Amazon. Since I live in Seattle I feel like I have … [Read more...]
DIY Toys that are Totally Worth the Effort
Is it just me or are there an inordinate number of cool DIY toy projects floating around lately? I was planning on doing a Mother's Day gift roundup today but, honestly, you should have already bought a gift by now (I haven't). And if you don't know what to buy yet, then you're either the kind of person that has a hard time making decisions or the type that has a hard time getting things done on time (right here). Either way - yet another "you should buy this" round up will probably only … [Read more...]