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November 26th, 2009
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Toys
We like toys and games like everyone else. For a good list of toys ( opens in a pdf) to avoid that will stifle creativity look at TRUCE.
TRUCE have a large variety of resources available in PDF.
Try Infant and toddler play, Toys and Media action guide. (PDF)
Now you have your mind set for the type of toys you want to bring in the house. You have space after the sorting and giving away. Now, where can you find them?
Shops to consider online that engage child’s mind
As you peruse Fat Brain Toys, you may find something missing. In fact, if you’re accustomed to the toy selection found at most stores, you may find lots of items missing. Missing are the licensed, violent, cheaply made toys that end up in the trash can shortly after being played with by your child. But what you will find instead are THOUSANDS of quality, open-ended toys, games, and gifts that entertain AND educate.
Our philosophy has remained the same over the years–to make each and every customer a happy and permanent member of the Melissa & Doug family, while offering products with tremendous value, quality and design.
We’re proud to be the nation’s best resource for toys that engage and entertain. Whatever you select, we guarantee that your children will learn—and have fun—while they play!
Qubits
The Construction / Educational Toy
Designed for Kids who like to Build
You’ll love this fun video
Leaps and bounds
Encourage your child’s development with Leaps and Bounds terrific toys, educational tools, and activities.
Indoor toys
Outdoor toys
Barefoot books
Welcome to a place…where there’s always time for make believe. Where whimsical can be wise and learning can be fun. Where stories have the power to inspire children to explore, create, and connect to the wonders of the world around them. A world where everyone lives Barefoot.
Imaginechildhood
At imaginechildhood.com we believe that children should experience the world through their own eyes, ears, fingers, and toes. That direct interaction with nature is the best way to learn about the world, and that open-ended imaginative play is the best way to learn about what it could be.
Part community forum, part storefront, imaginechildhood.com is a place where parents and kids can find their own definition of childhood.
On our blog and in our store we offer stories, activities, and innovative products that encourage exploration, creativity, and open-ended unstructured play.
Naturalpod
Natural Pod began out of our own desire to have beautiful, open-ended, natural toys for our children and a way to discover what is new and interesting in the world. And, of course, we derive some joy from finding just the right gift for someone, or for ourselves
As parents we found it increasingly difficult to find quality natural play items that supported creative and imaginative play. During our search, we soon realized that many parents shared our passion. We hope to encourage more families to discover the benefits of natural toys and rediscover a true sense of play. These items can become an heirloom, passed down from one generation to the next.
Etsy for wooden toys and unique toys
Photo credit: Childrens Country scene Photo credit: Babypop Photo credit: gigglejunction
Imagination stories……………..Finally, a fun, wholesome and easy way to engage and develop the imaginations of
children between 2 and 5 years of age!
Finger Rhymes……………….Have a few rhymes up your sleeve for those unavoidable “stuck” moments, whether you’re trapped in a line up, sitting in the car in a traffic jam or waiting for service at your local restaurant. These 6 simple finger rhymes can be played anywhere!
- Think about checking out your small toy stores in your local town. You’ll have them It’s amazing the variety of toys you’ll see compared to the big box shops.
- Each of these toy stores have newsletters you can sign up to receive discount codes, new product notices and play advice.
Where do you shop to get toys of value?
Alternative Play Activities holiday gift guide 2009
- Activity & time
- Engage vs Entertain
- Giving away
- Scaling back
- Unstructured play, open ended and downtime.
- Gift giving
- Outdoor play
Download the complete Holiday gift guide
Popularity: 1% [?]
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November 25th, 2009
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Outdoor play
Make a promise to increase your outdoor play quota for the week. Whatever the weather- play outdoors. ( Whether the weather be hot, whether the weather be cold, whether the weather whatever the weather, whether you like it or not!)
Small Fry’s Outdoor play book is jam packed full of brilliant starters and activities ( more on this soon) See a sample page.
Find amazing play outdoor things to do at
The Grass Stain Guru
Salisbury Downs
Activekidsclub
TheGreenhour.
Start a nature club with this toolkit like Naturestrollers
Photo credit: Children and nature.
Discovertheforest.org
Fun Orange County parks- lots of ideas and articles for everyone and locally.
KaBoom- a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America.
Loving Natures Garden- family, nature, garden and food
Outdoor toys from Play Outdoors
Buy an annual pass to your local state park most on sale Jan 1.
Little humbugs – the magic of nature
Nature Rocks- National program bursting with information to inspire and empower families to play an explore in nature.
Nature walks, treasure hunts, natural play, listening walks, playgrounds, playgroups………………there are so many things that can find you outside.
Follow the #playoutdoors movement on Twitter.
If you are looking for some reading to learn more about playing outdoors try Richard Louv’s
Buy it AMAZON
What do you do to get outside? How were you inspired to get outside when you were a little one? Feel free to add more play outdoors enthusiasts in the comments.
Alternative Play Activities holiday gift guide 2009
- Activity & time
- Engage vs Entertain
- Giving away
- Scaling back
- Unstructured play, open ended and downtime.
- Gift giving
- Outdoor play
Popularity: 2% [?]
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November 24th, 2009
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Gift giving
Encourage your children to make age appropriate gifts. My favourite gifts, when I was teaching were the gifts I knew my students had thought about and made. It was exactly that they had taken the time and I could see the effort that touched me. I loved the imperfections and the spelling mistakes it matched them.
Choosing to give gifts with play in mind; open ended and evergreen gifts of craft boxes; books, imaginary play items.
Along with gift giving there’s being grateful for the gifts we receive.
You can have thank you cards with their photograph and a sweet message.
- Design and make little cards.
- Little kids can trace a letter or write a letters of their name.
- Add a few thumbprint pictures ( with your help). Its easy to miss being grateful and pausing to acknowledge gifts. It is an easy thing to do at this time of year.
Making and giving gifts
Try a votive candle holder or use a baby food jar and make up a hot chocolate/coffee surprise with a candy cane stirrer.
Photo credit: Muffin Tin Mom- Michelle @ Her Cup Overfloweth
Advent Wreath
Photo credit: TheMadHouse
Buying gifts is one option but how do you find gifts to make that are more child than adult when it’s finished?
Alternative Play Activities holiday gift guide 2009
- Activity & time
- Engage vs Entertain
- Giving away
- Scaling back
- Unstructured play, open ended and downtime.
- Gift giving
- Outdoor play
Popularity: 2% [?]
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November 20th, 2009
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Scaling back
Since we have so many toys already talk to the toy givers now while there’s time.
- Share and discuss toy alternatives for your children.
- Start a conversation about sponsoring a child; gifting a goat or a basketball.
- Gift cards in small denominations for ice cream or dessert for family nights;
- Family passes to local museums, parks, or zoos with family year round passes or Physical activities like swimming, dance, Mommy and Me, Kindermusic, Playing with clay classes. Even a partial payment goes a long way.
- Buy the first few books in a book series, or a favourite author, and give a gift card to buy the next one.
What are you doing to scale back this holiday time? What’s on your alternative gift list than a physical toy?
Alternative Play Activities holiday gift guide 2009
Activity & time
Engage vs Entertain
Giving away
Scaling back
Unstructured play, open ended and downtime
Popularity: 1% [?]
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