U-Build Monopoly, Snap Circuits, Playmobil and Magnetic Tiles have been taking over the floor of the living room. In all of these, the kids are involved in creative problem solving, negotiation, cooperation, and navigating social situations. I’m constantly amazed at how much the kids learn and stretch themselves in the context of play. To read more about how we play and what we prioritize, check out my post over at My Little Poppies.
Tag: play
The Lazy Mom’s Guide to an Indoor Snow Day
Instead of feeling guilty, I’ve learned some simple tricks to bring the outdoors in, which inspire lots of creativity and exploration.
Best Gifts to Encourage Creativity
This list is going to be the anti-list to those “hot toys” out there. Nothing. I repeat. Nothing on those lists is being marketed to inspire creativity and open-ended exploration. Instead, these toys are specifically designed for a cheap thrill that your kids will soon tire of and then move on to the next craze. So… turn off the commercials, hide the catalogs, and think about ways to inspire your little ones to think and grow in creative ways.
Asynchrony Day 4 – What Works for Us
Asynchronous kids are awesome, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for them or for their families to find ways to fit in. I’ve already described in days 1 & 2 some of the struggles that asynchronous kids face. Today I’d like to talk about what has been working for us. 1 – Homeschool We did…
Spaghetti, Playdoh, & Buttons – fine motor engineering
We had a nor’easter in town this Thursday, plus a full moon, and being stuck inside, by late afternoon, we needed a creative activity. I’d seen a cool activity using Playdoh, spaghetti, and pasta and decided to modify it for my older kids as well. I started out using Playdoh to stabilize vertical pieces of…
Stick Forests
We have a new, temporary outdoor installation at our house right now. It’s called a stick forest, and it’s one of our favorite ways to play in the snow when the snow just isn’t cooperating for snowballs and snowmen. The concept is simple – collecting debris from the yard and placing it in an intentional…
Wonderschooling 