From the category archives:

Play

Rubber Band-Powered Paper Airplanes

I was flipping through one of the activity books I added to our collection over the summer, The Usborne Big Book of Science Things to Make and Do, and found instructions for making catapult planes. The girls love making and flying paper airplanes, so I knew they would love this project.

As you can see, you [...]

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Make Your Own Backyard Obstacle Course

I am always looking for fun, creative ways to get moving with my kids. Since my girls were toddlers we have been making our own backyard obstacle courses. Our whole family can participate in gathering items, setting up the course, and testing our skills in a friendly family competition.
One of the greatest things about a [...]

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Gunk, Slime, and Other Gooey Stuff

Besides making our favorite homemade playdough, we had not made any fun sensory concoctions in a long time. It was time to pull out some recipes!
Our most recent gooey creation was Gooey Gunk from The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions. This is a two-solution recipe using Elmer’s glue, borax, water, and food coloring (we used [...]

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Playing Rummikub

When we aren’t playing Scrambled States or UNO Attack!, Rummikub is usually the pick for game time. I loved playing this game with my grandparents when I was younger, so it is extra-special to now play it with my girls.
The basic idea of the game is similar to rummy card games, combining number tiles in [...]

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Balloon Swat

I like to keep a few bags of balloons around the house — they are usually great boredom-busters!
This weekend, I gave the girls new butterfly-shaped flyswatters and balloons. There was swatting, putting, bouncing, balancing, chasing and all kinds of busy, active play!
Balancing the balloon on the flyswatter was super tricky!

There was lots of friendly competition [...]

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Fun With Plastic Eggs

Do you have a large collection of plastic Easter eggs like we do? When you have had enough fun re-creating Easter egg hunts around your house, here are some creative & easy ways to play with those eggs, even after Easter has passed. Enjoy! {Originally published March 2008}

Egg & Spoon Race: See how far [...]

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Olympic Fun for Kids

Are you and your kids enjoying the Winter Olympics? My girls are loving it, especially the figure skating. I’ve already been to our local ice rink’s website to look at beginner classes, because they both insist they must take ice skating lessons!
I have a few posts in my archives from the Summer Olympics two years [...]

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Grocery Store Games

My girls are actually at an age where they can be really helpful at the grocery store, but I have not forgotten the days of needing ample entertainment to make it through the store! When I Spy is getting old, maybe one of these games will be a welcome addition on your next shopping trip.
Grocery [...]

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Creative Building with Dado Cubes & Squares

It’s no secret that I’m passionate about open-ended, imaginative, creative toys and products for kids! I thought I would share some photos of the Dado Cubes and Dado Squares in action. These are both great products – colorful, durable, ready for creating all kinds of cool structures. They are even made in the United States!
That’s [...]

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Things to String

What can we string?
cereal (Cheerios, fruit loops, etc.)
pasta (wagon wheels, penne, rigatoni, macaroni)
beads
plastic straws, cut into pieces
buttons
foam shapes with a hole punched in the center (or a slit) – see a great example at Plum Pudding
String onto:
shoelaces
pipe cleaners
coated wire
yarn – for easier stringing, wrap the end with tape or dip in glue and let dry [...]

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