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Adventures in Playful Family Living

My Favorite Resource Books: Playing and Thinking

I’ve been reorganizing my bookshelves, so I thought I would share some of my favorite early childhood resource books with you.  These are the ones I turn to when my own creativity is not flowing — they are filled with simple, play-based activities that encourage creativity and exploration.

In this post, I’ll share some of my most-used general resource books, to be followed with posts about my favorite art, science + nature, math, literacy, and parenting books. {Updated January 2012}

Unplugged Play: No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun. by Bobbi Conner

Love this book! It’s divided into Toddler Play, Preschool Play, and Grade School Play and is FULL of games, crafts, pretend play, party ideas and more! There are many familiar ideas with new twists, as well as little tidbits on parenting, stocking an art cabinet, etc.  One of my favorite and most-used books.

Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting: Simple Ways to Make a Difference in Your Child’s Life by Bobbi Conner

Another great book by the same author.  This one reminds me that to find those special moments of connection as we go about our day together.

Thinking Games for Preschoolers by Susan Baltrus

This book has tons of easy games to play at home, outside, in the car, at the grocery store, waiting in line, etc.  The games are even indexed in the back by skills like visual observation, problem solving, imagination, memory, and more. (This book appears to be out-of-print – I recommend tracking down a used copy!)

Fun on the Run!: 324 Instant Family Activities by Cynthia Copeland

This is a little book that you can stash in your purse, diaper bag, or glove box and use when things are getting crazy.  Ideas for doctor’s office visits, long car rides, shopping trips, etc.

Child of Wonder: Nurturing Creative and Naturally Curious Children by Ginger Carlson

This book is another treasure-filled resource for setting-up a creative environment and encouraging creative thinking. There are oodles of play ideas, too! It’s geared toward preschoolers, but families of school-age kids will find many activities to enjoy, too.

Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder by Mariah Bruehl

My favorite aspect of this book is the experience philosophy. Rather than just a collection of activities, the experiences in this book truly provide opportunities for conversation, connection, and discovery. It is a wonderful book to enjoy side-by-side with your kids, following their interests and having fun learning together. (Read more about this book in my detailed review.)

Happy Reading!

Care to share a favorite from your bookshelf?

Comments

  1. Thanks for the recommendations. Lately I have been getting a lot of our projects from The Toddlers Busy Book by Trish Kuffner for both learning fun and play/artsy fun.

  2. These books sound great, thanks for the recommendations! I recently borrowed “Much More Than Counting” by Sally Moomaw and Brenda Hieronymus from our library, and it has some really interesting activities to do wtih young children. I borrowed “More Thank Counting” at the same time, but I like the “much more” book…much more!

  3. I love to read recommendations from other parents and I really enjoy your list and the way it is based on “simple, play-based activities that encourage creativity and exploration”.
    This just so needs to be encouraged in all children and we can all do with some help to find such activites for our children.
    I would love to post your list on my website:
    http://www.baby-books-guide.com/
    You can see some lists from other parents:
    http://www.baby-books-guide.com/baby-book-ideas.html
    Please let me know if you would like me to add your recommendations.
    Thanks,
    Carmen

  4. thank so much for the recommendations I am always looking into what to read next, have to be educational and mostly about children, thanks

  5. Ooo! Ooo! I’m itching to go check these books out now! They sound great!
    A couple of my favorite resource books are How to Get You Child to Love Reading by Esme Raji Codell, and The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease. They may not seem like obvious titles to go to for playing and thinking activites, but they’re both full of them! Go figure, I like books that encourage reading! ;)

  10. Thanks for the unplugged book recommendation. I’ve been wanting to check that out at the library for awhile and you just gave me the desire to go there today and do it!

  11. Thanks so much for the recommendations-I just added them all to my request list on the library website!

  15. Amy, I always love your site and ideas. So uncluttered and brilliant! I pinned this post forever ago and just got back to in. I’m excited to check out a bunch of these books you recommended. Because if you recommend them, I’m sure they are great!