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imaginative play

Really Fun Winter Olympics Games To Be Played Indoors

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Using the Olympics for fun preschool play

Imaginative play is a powerful way to teach preschool and kindergarten children. Little kids just love to pretend! When it comes to the O is for Olympics lesson, children at the tender age of 3, 4 or 5 years old have no memory of the Olympics. For the most part, they have no clue what it is. That is why I really look forward to our Letter O lesson when a Winter Olympics year rolls around. Learning about the Olympics is exciting and new! [Our school is closed during the summer months so I wait to teach it in a Winter Olympics year.]

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

This year I had the help of a brilliant gym teacher, Jennifer. She put all of our games together. The rest of the teachers helped me make the pretend medals and team pennants.

Indoor pretend play Winter Olympic Game ideas #preschool

On the day of our pretend Winter Olympics, all of our little onlookers were also the athletes.  Everyone paraded in, waving pennants and singing “God Bless America” and everyone played in the games.  All of our athletes were on Team USA! As we waited for the games to begin, we chanted “USA! USA!” and waived our pennants. The teachers did our best to dress like coaches wearing sweat pants, sneakers,  zip up hoodies and USA stickers  . My teaching assistant wore her gym teacher whistle, too!


The three indoor events we played were speed skating, curling and the luge. Our students are so young – ages 3, 4 and 5 – that we did not feel comfortable putting them in the luge competition so we brought in large teddy bears for them to push across the room. Fun!

Speed Skating: three children participate in each race.  Place two pieces of construction paper on the floor in front of each child. Still wearing their sneakers,  your little Olympic skaters stand on the papers and, at the sound of “Go!” they “skate” on the pieces of paper across the gym. First, second and third to arrive are the gold, silver and bronze medal winners. Then, they immediately go to the awards area of the gym to wear the medals and have some of the onlookers cheer for them and exclaim “Yaaa!  You’re the winners!”  We used a step stool for the gold medal winner to stand in the middle, higher than the other two. For a nice little addition, we also took their pictures.

Curling: our gym teacher brought in three angle brooms and three lightweight bean bags. The students had to push the bags on the gym floor, using their broom. Three participants in each heat of curling = three winners!

The Luge: as I said, to avoid accidents with our little kiddos, we chose to have stuffed teddy bears ride in the luge. The teacher brought in three flying-saucer snow sleds and three large stuffed toys. The students would push the sleds with the bears riding on them to the finish line. Those bears took several spills, proving the wisdom in not having children riding on the sleds!

It was such a fun day. Coupled with our Fruit Loop Olympic Craft and Olympic Bingo Game Activity, this gym class made our O is for Olympics day complete!

Teach your preschool and kindergarten age children all about the Olympics with some really fun pretend play. Put together your own little kid Winter Olympic games! #Olympics #preschool #kids #tips Share on X

Do you have any indoor Winter Olympics type game ideas we can add next time? Please share them!

Enjoy!

Goodnight Little Me storybook set for children - personalize it! #gifts


Filed Under: kids, preschool, school Tagged With: imaginative play, O for Olympics, Olympics

Gift Guide – Fun Toys For The Little Builders In Your Life!

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Do you have little builders in your house? Do they dream about fixing things for you? Wouldn’t it be great to get that little guy – or gal – some tools and props to be just like a real workman! Check out this BIG GIFT GUIDE filled with fun building toys for kids:

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

Curious [or in a hurry?]  Skip right ahead to this=>  ☑️ #1 Best Seller for Toy Construction Tools on Amazon – an amazingly realistic TOY power tool bench for kids from Black & Decker. It looks and sounds like the real thing and your little builders will be ecstatic!
If you are not ready to buy now, check back often for price changes. Though it retails for just under $130.00, customers have found some great deals on it through Amazon – as much as 54% OFF!

Building toys for girls and boys #ad #buildingtoys


 

My nephew, Elijah, is a kindergartner who loves to build things. Much of the summer his family had workmen at their house installing new windows, siding and a roof. He thrived on watching them every day as they hammered, sawed and built.


One morning he met the men at the door wearing his pretend tool-belt, stocked with pretend  tools, and announced “I’m going to be a builder just like you!” He was ready.  Do you have little ones in your life just itching to build something? There are so many awesome toys and costumes to help your little tykes have glorious fun being builders, too.

 

 

Go-Anywhere Building Scene Sandbox:  Big Builder My Little Sandbox from Be Good Company is such a cool little toy. Your kiddos can have the fun of playing builder in a sandbox right indoors! It is the perfect size to put on a play table or on the floor. You don’t need to be a little kid  to enjoy it – this toy looks fun for everyone! [They also have a My Little Sandbox Horse Ranch and a My Little Sandbox Doggie Day Camp for pet lovers!]

building toys for kids

Very Cool Kids Tool Set with Tool Box:  This 46 piece kids toy tool set with tool box with toy power tools by Big Mo’s Toys is a winner. The realistic looking toy is designed for child safety and lots of pretend-play fun!

playmats for kids who love to play builder

Two Construction Zone Style Playmats: I love play mats and here are two great ones for you to consider! First one is by iSavings. It comes in 3ft x 5ft or 5ft x 7ft sizes. The fun playroom area rug depicts a work site and construction in brilliant colors.  The other is from Melissa & Doug. They have designed an excellent construction zone worksite rug which comes with 3 wooden construction vehicles to play with! Theirs measures 39 x 36 inches.

toys for children who love to build things

Don’t forget the LEGOS!  LEGO DUPLO Town Big Construction Site is perfect for toddler play. Children ages 2-5 will love it! Make a bulldozer, crane and truck. Set includes LEGO DUPLO figures with safety helmets, wheelbarrows and tool sets. Your little builders will love it!

toys for kids who love to build

Two Tool Belts That Look REAL! Tool belts are a must for little builders. Black & Decker has a 14 piece toy tool belt set that looks so realistic.  If you have plenty of play tools already, you may want to opt for this genuine leather toy toolbelt by Active Kyds.

toys for kids who love to build

Tool Playset with Hard Hat:   Little Treasures “Just Like My Dad’s Tools” Tool Playset with Hardhat is so cute. Little kids love it!

toys for kids who love to build things

Right Size For Bigger Kids Hard Hat: Have you noticed that pretend hard hats are usually quite small? Old children love to play builder, too, and need hard hats that fit them. Torx Gear Kids sells a construction helmet that fits children ages 7-12!

Mashing & Molding FUN!:   Fisher Price’s Bob The Builder Mash & Mold Construction Site is destined to be a winner as your little ones have ots of fun molding the playsand, building an edifice and then DEMOLISHING it! Hours of fun over and over again.

Look Just Like A Construction Worker:  Melissa & Doug’s construction worker 6 piece role play costume for dress up is so cute. – a great addition to your dress up clothes collection for imaginative play. 

Gift guide for little kids who want to build and fix things just like daddy!

Got a little builder in your life? #Giftguide full of fun toys - props - costumes - and tools to play builder to their hearts' content! #kids #toys #giftideas Share on X

This pretend power tool bench with toy tools looks and sounds REAL #ad

Toys and props for children to pretend to be builders

Enjoy!

 


Filed Under: kids, Toys Tagged With: dress up, gift guides, imaginative play, Kids, toys

5 Great Reasons To Get Costumes For Your Kids

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Imaginative play takes children to the heights of possibilities!

What did you want to be when you grew up? A fireman? A policeman? Doctor? Princess? Astronaut? Whatever it was, I’ll bet you thought about it a lot! Imaginative play is a way to act out those dreams and aspirations so, let your kids play dress-up!

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥


There are many reasons to have a supply of costumes and props for your children to play with. Here are five excellent ones:

1.Children need imaginative play all year round! Playing dress-up is a healthy emotional outlet that sparks creative ideas!

2. Imaginative play expresses what is in your children’s hearts – their gifts and talents start showing up through playtime fun. You can learn a lot about a child by watching how the play. Check out the real life example below*

3.Playing dress-up is like a dress-rehearsal for life – it is a great way to practice future roles they may have later on. How many kids loved to play school and, as grown ups, became teachers! How about playing house? Taking care of a baby doll or using a toy kitchen is fun and prepares littles for the real thing. So, set up that pretend store or play kitchen. Get some costumes and props for the playroom and see how much fun they will have!

How to: MAKE A PLAY STORE OR KITCHEN FROM CARDBOARD

Helps To Develop Character– Though super heroes are not “real,” the virtues of a super hero are. Today’s super heroes are a modern version of playing cops and robbers or fireman. The good guys rescue, save and protect. The bad guys go to jail. As your children role-play, they practice thinking through cause and effect, right and wrong.

It is FUN! Not every child will be an astronaut or president but pretending is fun. Through imaginative play children can have the joy of being anything they want to be without the harsh realities of life.

Caution about Super Heroes: explain to your little super hero that flying is pretend. I’m not kidding. When I was a child, my mother warned us. She had heard that a little boy, inspired by Superman on TV, put on a towel as a cape and jumped off the garage roof thinking he could fly.

*A real example of imaginative play that lead to a career: our son, Josh, started having business meetings at age 4. Yes, he was just four years old! When his friends would come to our house to play, he’d get out his pointer and white board,showing them all of his big business plans. I’m serious! Well, his little friends would quickly get bored and slip out of the room looking for toys to play with.

Recognizing that this play method could ruin friendships fast, I pulled out two toy car dashboards and told the boys that people drive cars to business meetings. That got their attention! Johnny and Jeff drove their imaginary cars, squealed their imaginary wheels – and crashed in imaginary crashes – as they went to and from Josh’s pretend business meetings.

No surprise, grown-up Josh now has three college degrees and is a successful entrepreneur with his own film company. But isn’t it wonderful that his gifts were showing at age four. I might also add that Josh had his first REAL business by age 6. He made key racks and Christmas tree decorations. He designed, marketed, built and sold both products all by himself and did quite well!

Children get so much out of playing dress up! #affiliate

Keep the imaginative play flowing in your kids' lives - get them costumes! #playtime #fun #kids Share on X

Enjoy!

 

 

 


Kids love imaginative play #kids

 

 

Filed Under: Babies & Toddlers, Family Fun, kids, preschool, Toys Tagged With: imaginative play, playing dressup, playtime, preschooler

16 Awesome DIY Cardboard Toys To Make That Your Kids Will Love!

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There are so many fabulous toys on the market but some of the best toys are homemade. Just ask that little toddler who plays for hours with a BOX instead of the toy that came inside… priceless! Here are 16 amazing DIY cardboard toys any kid would love to play with …
Toys made from cardboard boxes are some of the coolest toys around! #DIY
Here are 16 awesome DIY cardboard toys made by parents and kids. Whether it is a recycled cardboard box maze, store, parking lot, drive in theater or dollhouse, hours of fun imaginative play lie ahead for the kids who play with them!
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This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ❤️
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Easy Cardboard Playhouse Sand Castle – Kids Art & Craft for Indoor & Outdoor Fun, Color, Draw, Doodle – Decorate & Personalize a Cardboard Fort, 32″ X 32″ X 43. 5″ Age 3+ [Amazon Exclusive] , White

easy cardboard sandcastle fort

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16 Do-It-Yourself Cardboard Toys

homemade maze made of cardbaord boxes
1. Cardboard Box Maze – The Stir Cafe Mom
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DIY cardboard box car wash toy
2. DIY Car Wash – Non Toy Gifts
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
3. Coffee Shop – 45 Wall Design
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
4. DIY Interlocking Cardboard Castle – Mermag
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wooden nuts and bolts construction play set
Got a little builder in your house?  This chair building toy construction set will be a delight!  ad
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
5. Recycled Box Dollhouse – My Cakies
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Sssh!   Don’t tell her cleaning is work.    She thinks she’s playing!  LOL   
Melissa & Doug toy broom dustpan set
Best selling pretend broom, mop and dustpan set for little kids who love to clean!      
 
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
6. Play Dog House – Ikatbag
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Plush toy Noah's Ark set for kids

Plush toy that kids love!  OK, so its not cardboard but it is REALLY cute!        
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
7. Fruit Stand – Ikatbag
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
8. Indoor Miniature Golf – Princess Pinky Girl
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Minecraft Explorer Kit – Build Minecraft in The Real World – Endless Play for Ages 8 and Up – Build Forts, Mazes, Tunnels, and More – Durable, Reusable, and Made in USA (1 Pack)

Minecraft building set play fort
Minecraft!
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
9. Drive In Movie Birthday Party – Party Wagon
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
10. DIY Cardboard Box Oven – 2 Little Faces
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
11. Parking Garage for Hot Wheels Cars – Frugal Fun 4 Boys
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hot wheels cars
Hot Wheels Cars!       
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
12. Noah’s Ark w Stuffed Animals – The Craft Train
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
13. Refrigerator Made From a Refrigerator Box – Parents
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
14. Toilet Paper Roll Marble Run – Elhadadepapel
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
15. Choo Choo Trainville  – Ikatabag
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
16. Cardboard Box Washing Machine – Apartment Therapy
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16 #DIY Cardboard Toys that #kids love to play with! #parents Share on X
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DIY toys made from cardboard boxes and other items from around the house! You can also buy some very nice cardboard toys, ready made! #affiliate

Enjoy!

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Do your kids love crafts?  This Elmer the Patchwork Elephant craft is fun and relaxing.  It is especially suited for preschoolers and kindergarten but even adults enjoy sitting down and making one of the pictures themselves!
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant

Filed Under: DIY, Family Fun, kids, tips, Top Favorites, Toys Tagged With: broom, cardboard toys, crafts, imaginative play, playtime, preschool, vacuum cleaner

The Man From U.N.C.L.E The Show That Started My Writing Career!

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The show that did WHAT?
Started my writing career.

“Did not!”

“Did so!”

“Did not!”

“Did so! Really.” Let me tell you about it.

 

Napoleon Solo, Illya Kuryachin, Thrush, Man From UNCLE

 

It was September of 1964 and I was 11 years old…

That was the year that my favorite TV show, The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,  debuted…and my writing career began.

Already “boy crazy,” I fell head-over-heals for Napoleon Solo the moment I saw him. It was infatuation at first sight! He was the hero of this exciting new secret agent series.

The Man From U.N.C.L.E. was one of those shows that you never missed. If you missed it, you had just one more time to see that episode when it was repeated during the summer. There was no syndication; no video recordings. You and your television set had a date that could not be broken – same time, same station – each week. If you missed it, you REALLY missed it!

My best friend, Elaine, had a thing for Napoleon’s partner, Illya Kuryachin*. It was perfect. She and I could dream about them, talk about them, drool over their pictures in Tiger Beat and other teenie bopper magazines with no conflict. We each had our guy.
Truly my FIRST crack at writing came when I wrote my own Man From U.N.C.L.E. stories. Elaine helped me hone them. The characters we “played” in our imaginations had fictitious names but we knew they were us! What fun we had, typing it all up on Elaine’s antique manual typewriter that looked a lot like the one pictured below.
Vintage typewriter just like the one we used when writing our Man From UNCLE episodes

Little did anyone know in those days that a passion to write would come alive in me through that show. Oh, I have never written a screenplay that has actually been used. However,  I have written many stories and articles as a hobby, and then career, ever since.

So, the  Man From U.N.C.L.E. movie comes out on August 14, 2015. I don’t know. I think I may find it a little bit disappointing. Not because it won’t be well done. I am sure it is a great movie.  But when I loved that show, though, I was a goofy preteenager.  As a grownup? It probably won’t be the same. But I sure am going to give it a try.
For those of you who are way too young to remember the original, here is a little vignette for you to see. It was what we loved way back in 1964.

*Napoleon Solo in the original TV series was played by Robert Vaughn and Illya Kuryachin was portrayed by David McCallum (He is well known today as Ducky on NCIS.)


And now, let’s view the trailer of the exciting NEW Man From U.N.C.L.E.!

Enjoy!

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links ♥

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Filed Under: blogging, Family, Lifestyle Tagged With: imaginative play, Man from UNCLE, movies, vacuum cleaners, writing

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