Cute craft ideas, activities for kids & more.
We all have them lying around the house - animal figures of every color, shape and size. More recently, we expanded our imaginations and uncovered 10 fun and inventive ways to use the animal figures you likely already have to continue encourage creative (and even educational) play.
Like many children, my daughter is terrified of bees. She's ready to sit indoors all summer long I think. They say to face your fears, but it’s ok to be scared. We push for hands-on exploration with our children, but it’s ok not to want to touch a bug. But there are things parents can do to try to help a child become less afraid of bugs.
Blocks are a staple in every childhood. Every early childhood classroom typically has an area fully devoted to building, construction, and blocks. But what if your child just isn’t that into building with blocks? Building toys of any kind can easily meet so many developmental needs of young children, you just have to think of other ways to utilize these versatile toys in everyday play.
When hanging out at home with our children, we often feel the need to fill this time with engaging activities, and this can be overwhelming. But there really are ways to keep children learning and engaged during a day at home.
From day one, children use their senses to explore and learn about the world around them. Just about any activity that stimulates a child's sense of touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing, and anything that engages movement and balance is considered sensory play. And while it’s important to encourage these types of activities, you don’t have to spend a fortune on supplies. Chances are you already have some sensory-rich items at home.
Journaling is a powerful way to process our world and emotions. It has unlimited creative potential. It is how we understand ourselves, imperfect as we are, and everyone can write. Here are some ideas to get you and your child journaling—an entry point (not a guide). Start in the shallow end and see where you go once you traverse the depths where there is buried treasure.
Sometimes it’s hard not to hover. Sometimes it takes every ounce of will I have not to jump in to stop forthcoming messes from happening or show my kids the right way to do their art project. This is when I remind myself about “process art”—art that focuses on the process rather than the finished product—and I force myself to observe their discoveries and experiences in creating art.
Sure, it can be fun to just put interesting sensory items into a bin for play, but it can also be fun to create themes for creative play. (Parents need a creative outlet, too, right?) Here are 25 of our favorite sensory bin themes and filler ideas to get you started on your own.
