Archive for the ‘Games & Creative Play’ Category
EEK! Springy Spider Toy
Monday, October 22nd, 2012
It’s the season of creepy crawlies. In the spirit of such a terrifying season, I came up with a terrifying project for you. It’s based on an old toy we saw while antiquing last month. By the way, the antique mall where I saw it was pretty terrifying itself. It toootally creeped me out. But I’ll save that story for another day. (more…)
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Games & Creative Play, Halloween, Kids DIY | 3 Comments »
Natural Playgrounds
Tuesday, October 16th, 2012
Have you heard of the new trend towards natural playgrounds? A friend sent me a link to a recent study that found natural playgrounds inspire more play. I love the concept and wonder what playgrounds of the future will look like. I imagine they’ll look more like playgrounds of the past—when playgrounds were called the woods/creeks/meadows. What do you think?
Oh and if you need a little inspiration for creating a natural plays pace in your own backyard, check out the Playscapes blog. They have tons of cool ideas! I’m digging this one here.
ps. We could really use a playground in our neighborhood. Do you have one where you live or do you also have to hop in the car to take the kids to one?
Posted in Games & Creative Play | 5 Comments »
Super Quick and Easy DIY: Tabletop Sandbox
Wednesday, September 26th, 2012
Create this tabletop sandbox for your kids—it’s easy, there’s no sewing required and you’ll have it together in less than 5 minutes. Is it messy? Maybe. But will it keep the kids entertained, you betcha. All you need is a sturdy box with a lid, play sand (I found both at Michaels) and small toys and figures.
Pour the sand into the box, provide your child with a few toys and that’s it. Kids can create scenes for stop animation movies, excavate to discover artifacts, or dig for buried treasure.
Giving it as a gift? Turn it into a kit by burying some dinosaurs or toys, and tying it off with a small paint brush and a few wide popsicle sticks for digging and excavating.
Posted in Games & Creative Play | 4 Comments »
Play + Learn | Celebrating Neil Armstrong and the History of Broadcast Television
Wednesday, September 5th, 2012
I’m all about having some fun with the kids but if I can incorporate some kind of lesson into our activity? Major bonus. Lately, I’ve been pondering the effect of television on our children. I mean, I think we call all agree it’s not the best thing they can do with their time. But in the same note, can television ever be viewed as something beneficial? Or, maybe we can just capitalize on their fascination with television by offering a lesson about it.
After all, since it’s invention in 1935, we have received a great wealth of news and information from the television. Think: Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the Moon, for starters.
So with that in mind, today I’m teaching my children about some important historical events that have famously been broadcast via the good ole tube. We’ve decided to focus on Neil Armstrong’s famous walk on the Moon in 1969.
What are we doing exactly? Well, we’re making a television set from a cereal box and our Astronaut will be made from that same box (and a knit glove) with a tiny Moon prop to match. Here’s how… (more…)
Posted in Games & Creative Play, Play + Learn | 4 Comments »
DIY: Practice Clock for Kids
Thursday, August 2nd, 2012
Before I turn this post over to our newest contributor Caroline Urdaneta, I believe a little fanfare is in order. You may remember Caroline from her interview here, and you may have seen her on the lovely Terra Savvy, but did you also know that her ridiculously charming blog Salsa Pie was named one of Babble’s 50 best craft blogs? Thrilled doesn’t begin to describe how pleased I am to have her here.
The other day, while in the shower, I called to my 6 year old daughter and asked her to tell me the time. Actually, to be totally honest to you, I told her to go look at my cell phone and tell me what the “numbers” said. She came back a few seconds later and confidently told me, “Mom, the time is: two, dot-dot, zero six.”
Digital clocks are like the velcro to shoe tying when we modern parents try to teach our kids how to tell time. And just like the skill of shoe tying (or writing in cursive even) our kids are learning later and later how to do these simple things. Sometimes they even question the need to know! The solution can be as modern as the problem (like a new app on your iPhone) but you can also turn this challenge into a hands-on teaching opportunity and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Here’s how: (more…)
Posted in Games & Creative Play, Play + Learn | 3 Comments »
Four Ways to turn a Tired, Boring Balloon into a Super Cool Toy
Monday, June 18th, 2012
Well hello there balloon! Are you tired of being just another birthday party treat? Well, be glum no more. Today at Camp Classic Play we’re giving you a makeover. And not just one makeover but FOUR! Ready? (more…)
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Games & Creative Play, Kids DIY | 6 Comments »
Welcome to Camp Classic Play!
Wednesday, June 6th, 2012
bubbles | outdoor games | fortune tellers | pen pal letters | photography | tin can telephones | marble games | walkie talkies
Summer!!!!! It’s here!! Whoa, is it just me or did that come super fast? I’m looking forward to tall glasses of lemonade, sweetcorn on the cob, grilled shrimp on the barbeque, and a beach vacation. I’m also looking forward to not having to pack school lunches. Between you and me, I may be as excited about that as I am about the beach vacation. It’s sad, I know.
To kick off the summer fun, I rounded up a few ideas for a Classic Play style summer camp. Our goal is to bring you ideas for fun and adventure all summer long. Or at least something for you to tell the kids to do when they’re soooooooo booooooooored.
So what’s on tap this summer? So much goodness! Stay tuned!
Posted in Arts & Crafts, Games & Creative Play | 5 Comments »
Peek-a-Boo Zoo Safari
Sunday, June 3rd, 2012
Knee Bouncers, the app for itty bitty ones, asked me to come up with some fun ways to extend learning + play beyond the screen. Check out my adaptation for their game peek-a-boo zoo—it’s a safari at home. While pith helmets are optional, they sure would be cute.
Click here for tutorial and ways to play.
Posted in Games & Creative Play | No Comments »
