Product Sneak Peek: Box Girls Family Road Trip
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| Are we there yet? Who cares! We’ve got Box Girls to keep us laughing all the way! The Box Girls Box of QuestionsSets are filled with head-scratching, soul-searching, funny bone–tickling questions to make quality time with family and friends even better.
The very latest from The Box Girls—Family Road Trip Box of Questions—helps the miles fly by with quiz questions, game ideas and conversation starters for families. Care to kick the tires? Check out the sample questions below—your exclusive first look inside the box!
Print these out to try on your next journey (even if it’s just across town!), and be sure to let us know your favorite answers in the comments section! About The Box Girls Family Road Trip Box of Questions: Item #5708 AVAILABLE IN STORES NOW! Visit our blog every day for great new ideas about creative play! At Melissa & Doug, we build endless play possibilities into every classic toy we make . . . and we’re committed to sharing the fun with you. Sign up to receive our blog posts in your email inbox and tune in to learn about new educational toys, hear from our Blog Ambassadors, and explore a world of imagination and learning. |
Creative Play Quick Tip: Thinking Game to Play in the Car
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| Long road trips (and any significant drive) can be tough for little ones used to moving all day! Refocus their energy by playing “What Am I?” Each person takes a turn describing an animal (or insect or object) without naming it. Younger children may need some help giving a description that will allow the players to guess correctly. Ask questions like “Where does it live?” “What does it eat?” and “Is it big or small?” to build vocabulary and communication skills. Set a theme, if you wish, such as “Things we see on the highway” or “Things we’ll see and do when we get there.” You’ll be amazed how much faster the miles zip by when everyone’s engaged!
Visit our blog every day for great new ideas about creative play! At Melissa & Doug, we see endless possibilities in every educational toy, and we’re committed to sharing the fun with you. Sign up to receive our blog posts in your email inbox and tune in to learn about new toys, hear from our Blog Ambassadors, and explore a world of imagination and learning. |
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Mother’s Day Message from Melissa
The greatest moments of being a mother for me are the occasions when the expressions of love and appreciation come naturally.
The gifts for me come in those wonderful drawings, stories and poems handed to me when I least expect it, or the “I love yous” that are said with such spontaneous intensity and passion that my heart just overflows with joy.
Those are the treasures that make the trials and tribulations of motherhood fade quickly away, and bring tears to my eyes every time I view or remember them. Because they sprung naturally out of pure emotion and no feeling of duty! Those flashes, although ever briefer as children grow older, are the only rewards I ever need to keep me content and satisfied.
However, a handful of times, I have received one of those brilliant jewels actually ON MOTHER’S DAY. Yes, a proclamation that came NOT from the classroom or through spousal threats, but entirely independently AND created especially for me on Mother’s Day.
One of my favorites was a poem from my son when he was 8 years old. No one in the family knew that he had been working on his composition for days, and his face was beaming with pride as he presented it to me:
Mom, you’re the one who cares for me when I’m down,
Turning my frowns completely around.
When I am sick you always care for me,
Making me hot chocolate and occasionally tea.
You come to all my sporting events,
Hoping I hit one over the fence.
You go out of your way to take me places,
Speeding to get me there on time like a driver in races.
Playing games with me like 500 rummy,
You may win most of the time, but I am no dummy.
I love you very much for these many things,
May your Mother’s Day be precious like a million diamond rings!
Simple and sweet, but meaningful, which mirrors my philosophy in toy-making as well as parenting and living life!
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Val’s Crafty Corner: Beaded Necklaces for Mom
This creative play craft and activity for Mother’s Day is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Valerie Deneen.
Make a beautiful bracelet or necklace for Mom with this pretty bead “bouquet!” – Valerie
These beaded necklaces are so much fun to make, and they would be such a special gift for Mom this Mother’s Day. The best part is that everything you need to make one is included in the Bead Bouquet Deluxe Wooden Bead Set by Melissa & Doug!
Bead Bouquet Deluxe Wooden Bead Set by Melissa & Doug
Beading is a great activity for building important fine-motor skills, but you can also use this educational opportunity with your child to work on creating patterns, counting, and even symmetry. I love that the end of each cord has an aglet on it to make stringing the beads a bit easier without requiring the use of a needle. My daughter, Emily, adored all the brilliant colors of this set–there are so many to choose from!
Bead Bouquet Deluxe Wooden Bead Set by Melissa & Doug
She happily crafted up three long necklaces with several beads left over, and cannot wait to give them to her grandmothers! I am secretly hoping she set one aside for me too. . . . *ahem*
Bead Bouquet Deluxe Wooden Bead Set by Melissa & Doug
Wishing you and your family a very happy (and crafty) Mother’s Day!
Have fun!!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun, where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages—with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
Stacy Shares: The Reasons I Love Being a Mom
This inspiring graphic is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, created by our Blog Ambassador Stacy Teet.
What little moments end up being your favorite reasons for being a Mom? We’d love to hear them in the comments! –Stacy
Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!!
I hope you get to do at least a few of these things with your children this week.
Stacy Teet is the military mom–turned-supermom behind KidsStuffWorld. Her writing is chock-full of tips for enjoying parenthood, saving money, entertaining your kids and making your family’s life a bit simpler. Check out her website, KidsStuffWorld.com, or follow her on Pinterest, Twitter or the KSW Facebook page.
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Mother’s Day: Make It More than a Phone Call
These ideas for making Mother’s Day special are brought to you by Melissa & Doug , written by our Blog Ambassador Allison McDonald.
Mother’s Day (in one form or another) is observed in over 40 cultures. In some, it’s tied to International Women’s Day; in others, it relates to religious festivals. Here in the United States, many people think Mother’s Day is a made-up holiday full of cards and flowers and guilt. (How many of us have heard, “Don’t forget to call your mom today!” And did you know that Mother’s Day is the biggest holiday for long distance phone calls?)
No matter why we do it, the thing is I know the day will come when I won’t get adorable kid-made cards, oddly colored flowers picked out by my toddler or even gifts. At some point after my kids are off on their own, Mother’s Day will be a late-afternoon phone call from wherever they have gone off to, maybe even prompted by a call by their dad saying, “Call your mother!” Until then I am determined to soak the day up for all it’s worth.
In our family, we try to make it about doing things, not getting things. That’s the common thread in this Mother’s Day list, filled with ideas to make the day truly special. (Feel free to print and leave it lying around for your family to see!)
Do Together: build memories
Picnic in the Park – No cleanup, food you didn’t make and lots of room for kids to run.
Paint-Your-Own Pottery – Make a keepsake you can use every day.
Family Field Day – Flag football, T-ball in the yard, a game of croquet . . . get out and play!
Plant a Tree – Year after year your garden will grow, filled with reminders of time together.
DIY Spa Day – Perfect for tweens! Grab the nail polish, soak your feet and share some sparkling juice.
Do Alone – recharge
Read a Book UNINTERRUPTED – Head to the library, a park or (my favorite) the bath!
Go for a Walk or Run – Go to the park as a family, then scoot off alone for fresh air and exercise.
Hit the Salon – Whether a simple manicure or day full of services, get pampered!
Take a Drive – Pop out the kids’ CD, crank up the radio and drive alone with no one kicking the seat.
Shop Alone – Non-mothers may giggle, but shopping alone is a treat! (Even going to the grocery store alone helps me recharge!)
Allison McDonald is founder and editor of No Time For Flash Cards. She has been teaching children in various capacities since 1993, so she has done her share of crafts, songs and circle times! Her son’s birth brought her home, and her love of teaching and helping other parents sparked the idea for No Time for Flash Cards. Early-childhood education is her passion . . . her heart belongs to the little guys! Get to know Allie and see her creative kids’ crafts and educational activities on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
Kids Speak: What They WISH They Could Do for Mom!
This article about Mother’s Day is brought
to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our
Blog Ambassador Amy Mascott.
What do children wish they could do for their moms? Here’s an interesting look at how kids think their moms want to be honored! –Amy
We asked the kiddos of some of our favorite bloggers: “If you could do anything at all to make Mother’s Day special for YOUR mom, what would you do?” Their funny and heartwarming ideas may not be what Mom actually wants, but they sure are an interesting look at how little ones view that very special lady in their lives!
- ”I set the table with flowers.” –JDaniel (4), son of Deirdre Smith (JDaniel4sMom.com)
- “I would make something out of chocolate chips and sugar.” –Gibson (3), son of Katie Meyering (abcand123learning.com)
- ”I would clean the whole house, buy you flowers, serve you breakfast lunch and dinner in bed and make you a CD with all your favorite movies.” –Owen (8), son of Megan Spires (houseofthe4risingsons.blogspot.com)
- “I would want to make a card WITH you, together. Then I would buy you an ice pack for when you don’t feel good.” –Tanner (4), son of Megan Spires (houseofthe4risingsons.blogspot.com)
- “Make cards.” –Brenden (2), son of Micaela Williamson (www.supernovamommy.com)
- ”I’d make a really big fun fair full of bunny rabbits and cake and give her free tickets to go on everything.” –B (9), daughter of Cathy James (nurturestore.co.uk)
- “Make Y Y [his little brother] feel better when he is sad.” –Jack (3), son of Marnie (carrotsareorange.com)
- ”I will clean up stuff.” –Shelli (5), daughter of Tonya Dirksen (stringskeysandmelodies.blogspot.com)
- “I would give her a dress.” –Angel (7), daughter of Tonya Dirksen (stringskeysandmelodies.blogspot.com)
- “I’d get Mummy purple flowers so she can smell them! And presents and then I can help her open them!” –Noah (3), son of Kerry Farrow (multiplemummy.com)
- “I would tell her to take me to grandma’s house to play and go take the day off.” –Kai (1), grandson of Deborah (www.teachpreschool.org)
- “I’d make her a valentine and buy her a volcano kit.” –Andrew (4), son of Kristina (www.toddlerapproved.com)
- “I’d make her a card.” –Emma (6), daughter of MaryAnne (mamasmiles.com)
- “Draw her upside down on a piece of paper.” –Johnny (4) son of MaryAnne (mamasmiles.com)
- “Draw Baby A [due in August].” –Lily (2), daughter of MaryAnne (mamasmiles.com)
- “I’d make her a card, and I’d make her a butterfly.” –R (5), son of Joyce (www.childhoodbeckons.com)
- “I would make breakfast for you, do nice things for you all day and be nice and use nice words with my sister.” –J (4), daughter of Bern (momto2poshlildivas.com)
- “I would love her. That’s what I’d do.” –Bear (3), son of Andie Jaye (crayonfreckles.com)
Thanks so everyone for sharing their children’s responses, and have a super Mother’s Day! You deserve it!!
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Hang with Amy over at teachmama.com for more cool, super-sneaky ways to throw in some learning in the name of fun or join her at we teach–a forum for parents and teachers to connect, share ideas and grow–no matter the classroom. Or tweet with her (@teachmama), pin with her or chat with her on Facebook!
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Parent Watercooler: Give Mom a Box of Love
This gift tutorial is brought to you by
Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog
Ambassador Zina Harrington.
Keep the light of curiosity alive! – Zina
Still searching for a unique Mother’s Day present?
A small “Box of Love” is the perfect gift for Mom. While I keep the clutter at my work desk to a minimum, this adorable Box of Love sits proudly under my computer screen. It makes me smile every day.
This classic school project and poem are guaranteed to melt Mom’s heart:
This is a very special gift that you can never see.
The reason it’s so special is, it’s just for you from me.
Whenever you are happy or even feeling blue.
You only have to hold this gift and know I think of you.
You never can unwrap it. Please leave the ribbon tied.
Just hold the box close to your heart. It’s filled with love inside.
Getting started:
- Small box: a cardboard jewelry box, a wedding-favor box from a craft shop or a non-glossy box from your recycling bin.
Project Tip: Looking for something a bit more sturdy? The Melissa & Doug Wooden Heart Box is also the perfect size. - Poster paint and brushes
- Artist Smock
- Ribbon
- Box of Love printable
The best Mother’s Day presents are handcrafted without adult intervention!
Here are directions for this priceless gift:
- Give the box a base coat. Young children are often wonderfully sporadic with their painting. A light base coat of paint will give the project a finished feel without your having to say, “You missed a spot.” Be sure to let it dry for 24 hours before decorating.
- Prep the area and prep your child to paint. A vinyl shower curtain makes a wonderful art tablecloth; it is easy to wipe up and covers a huge amount of space. Prep your little one for painting with a short-sleeve shirt and an art smock. Be sure to have a damp towel on hand for spills.
- Let the child decorate the box any way they wish. Walk away and give the child full ownership of the project. If your little one decides to experiment and mix all the paint colors together, remember that a brightly colored bow will look vibrant against black
- Decorate the box with a ribbon. After the paint is dry, have your child adorn the box with a small bow. Add a dab of glue to ensure it stays in place.
- Pull Mom’s heartstrings. Hand write or print the Box of Love poem.
The best part of this project is that each version is unique. The example below has a completely different look and feel from the one above!
We’d love if you’d share your finished project with us by tagging us on Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.
Happy Mother’s Day,
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Zina Harrington is the author of Let’s Lasso the Moon, where she inspires parents and children to interact creatively and enjoy the beauty of everyday moments. Visit Zina today at her blog LetsLassoTheMoon.com, say “Hi” to her on Facebook and don’t miss her amazing Pinterest boards!
May 7, 2012 at 9:09 am Zina :: Let's Lasso the Moon 4 comments
5 Ways to Preserve Family Memories
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest-quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
5 Ways for Kids to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest-quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
Val’s Crafty Corner — Dr. Seuss “Speck” Discovery Lab
This fun and educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador, Valerie Deneen. Enjoy Read Across America Day with this fun tribute to Dr. Seuss!
Inspired by the book Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss, I set up a fun “Speck” Discovery Lab for my 3-year-old to explore! She had so much fun with this, and it kept her happily occupied for a long time. Added bonus — very little set up or clean up is involved!!
Want to make one of your own? ((Yes, yes, do it!!))
You will need:
craft pom-poms – “clover flowers”
glitter glue – “speck”
tweezers
colored paper or dishes for sorting
magnifying glass
Before you begin: Add a drop of glitter glue to a few of the pom-poms, and allow to dry.
Place all of the pom-poms into a large plastic bowl, set out the colored paper or dishes for sorting and invite your child over to sort through the clover flowers and find any “specks”!
Using tweezers to sort through the “clover flowers” is a great way sneak in some fine-motor practice.
Be sure to take a close look at each “clover flower”, so you don’t miss any potential “specks”!
Found one!!!!
Have fun!!
Have you made any fun Dr. Seuss crafts lately?? We would LOVE to hear about it! Leave a comment and share your ideas with us!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages — with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter, or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
Twitter Party Featuring Melissa of Melissa & Doug: 3/19/12 9pm ET
Join Us Monday Night 3/19/12 at 9pm EST 
RSVP HERE
You must RSVP and attend the Twitter Party to be eligible for giveaways and to claim prizes!
This special Twitter party will feature Melissa!
Twitter Party Tips:
___ Follow @MelissaAndDoug on Twitter
___Follow @MelissasToys on Twitter
___ Follow @TeachMama on Twitter
___ Follow @InnerChildFun on Twitter
___ LIKE Melissa & Doug on Facebook
___ LIKE Inner Child Fun on Facebook
___ Know your hashtag: #MDparty
___ Think of a kids’ joke to share – Easter/Spring
___ Tell a friend to join us!
___ Prepare for Fun!
FAQ:
Q. What’s a Twitter Party?
A. A Twitter Party is a virtual party where partygoers connect over Twitter. A host leads the discussion and partygoers tweet to join the conversation, using a special hashtag to categorize comments as belonging to the party. A party can be searched by its hashtag. (See also http://www.twitterpartyguide.com/what-is-a-twitter-party)
Q. What’s the hashtag for the Melissa & Doug Twitter Party?
A. #MDparty
Q. What is a hashtag?
A. A word becomes a hashtag, or keyword, when it’s preceded by a # symbol. This signals Twitter to categorize a tweet according to that keyword so it will come up in search results. So, for instance, when you do a Twitter search for #MDparty, you’ll see what an amazing time we’re having Monday night! (Also see https://support.twitter.com/articles/49309-what-are-hashtags-symbols)
Q. Why do I have to RSVP?
A. We pick names from the RSVP list for our prize giveaways. So technically you don’t HAVE to RSVP–but you won’t win prizes if you don’t! (To be eligible for giveaways, you’ll need to RSVP attend the party and participate by answering our party questions.)
Q. How far in advance should I RSVP?
A. You can RSVP as late as right before the first question is asked. We refresh the RSVP list right before our first giveaway.
Q. How long does the party last?
A. Our Twitter parties usually last 1.5 – 2 hours. You can come for just a few minutes, stay the whole time or anything in between.
Q. Do I have to participate?
A. You may participate as little or as much as you’d like. You need only be present and participating to be eligible to win prizes and giveaways.
Q. What will we do at the Twitter party?
A. During the Twitter party the hosts (@MelissaAndDoug, @weteach, and @innerchildfun) will ask questions about parenting, toys, family activities, telling kids jokes and more, and you can answer each question or comment on another person’s answer. Remember to use hashtag #MDparty so everyone can see your comments.
For example, @MelissaAndDoug might ask, “Q1: Do you do anything special for your child last weekend? #MDparty” You could answer “@MelissaAndDoug Yes, it was my son’s 3rd birthday party! #MDparty”
Each question is tied to a giveaway. Partiers are given a few minutes to answer each question. Once the question is closed we choose a winner for that question.
Throughout the party we also share information about our website, new products, upcoming events & promotions, tell jokes, get advice from other parents and more. Each party is different, but they are always fun!
Swim into Fun with Our NEW Pool Toys!
Enjoy the playful spirit of Sunny Patch at pool time! A jolly crew of “Maritime Mates” brings lots of funny, friendly personality to this imaginative line of pool games and water toys. Dive right in to find character-shaped sinkers, target games with bite, and a bright red lobster that snaps with a squeeze of its tail. What a wonderful, whimsical way to develop confidence in the water and have a “splash” at pool time!
“Maritime Mates” water toys and pool games feature cheerful characters to encourage beginning swimmers and lots of exciting games to keep big kids splashing, swimming and having a blast. Summer is even more fun with Sunny Patch pool toys!
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Val’s Crafty Corner — Easy Rainbows
This fun and educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador, Valerie Deneen. Enjoy making lots of colorful St. Patrick’s Day crafts with this fun tip!
For a quick and easy way to draw beautiful rainbows, try wrapping some triangular Melissa & Doug crayons in rainbow-order with some rubber bands as shown. Slip in a piece of thick card stock or cardboard for added stability.
Invite your child to draw rainbows by moving the grouped together crayons back and forth on a sheet of paper! While drawing these rainbows, it is the perfect time to practice identifying color names.
Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day cards, bookmarks, and more!
Have fun!!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages — with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter, or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
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TeachMama Talks: What IS Reading?
This fun and educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador, Amy Mascott. Learning can be fun!
With Maddy in second grade, Owen in Kindergarten, and Cora in pre-K, I’m finding more and more that our time together after school is one of my favorite times of the day. And rather than having my kids who don’t have homework sit in front of the television while the kids who do have homework plug away, I’ve always found it important that we all sit down together and make our ‘homework time’ as fun as possible.
And that could mean that while one kiddo is completing school work, another is painting or doing a puzzle, and another is finishing a word search or playing a game.
Last week, during homework time, Cora was playing with our See & Spell while Maddy was completing her math worksheet and while Owen was writing in his reading journal.
I was sitting between Owen and Cora, and as she was very carefully placing each letter into the correct spot, she and I were saying the letters together. It was very simple: H, E, N. Hen! You spelled ‘hen’! Or Cora might say, B, b, b, b, where’s the little ‘b’? Here it is! B! Now I need the ‘u’. U, u, u, u, there’s the ‘u’! Now I need an ‘s’. Come on, ‘s’, where are you? Here’s my ‘s’! Bus! I spelled ‘bus’!
She was incredibly proud of the fact that she was recognizing the lowercase letters and that she was reading the words on the tiles.
Owen finally looked over and said, Mommy, I don’t think Cora’s actually reading. She’s just using the pictures, and that’s not reading.
Though I wanted to say a whole lot more to my big 6-year-old for his unkind comment towards his little sister, I took a deep breath and said, Owen, I know you may think that Cora’s not reading, because the pictures are right there on the puzzle, but reading is a whole lot more than just knowing what sounds the letters make when they’re put together.
Cora’s deflated face perked up. Yeah, Owen, I AM reading and so there!
I went on: Especially for newer readers, my friend, reading–and really understanding what you’re reading–is work. It’s active, which I think is the really cool part about it.
You may not realize this, but as you’re reading a book or a poster or the words on the cereal box, you’re putting a lot of things together. You’re looking at the letters and using what you know about the sounds those letters make when they’re stuck together, and you’re looking at the pictures and using the clues from the pictures to understand how the words you read fit together. And you’re also using what you already know in order have it all make sense.
And that’s reading–how you–the reader, the text–the words on the page–and everything around it all work together to make sense.
So you know what? Cora is reading. And her puzzle is helping her. Because all early readers are learning to be smart readers–they’re learning to use the pictures to help them figure out the words, just like you did when you were four. They’d be silly not to use the pictures because the pictures are huge clues, right?
Cora said, That’s right, Owen. Here’s a bear, and I know these letters say, ‘bear’.
Cora’s been busy over here–looking for the letters and then reading the word. Just like you’ve been busy doing your work and Maddy’s been busy doing hers. Comprende?
From Owen: Yeah, I got it, Mom. And after a long pause: Sorry Cora. I guess you really are reading. I just didn’t know.
Ahhhh, a happy homework afternoon it was, and just like that, we were all on the same reading page.
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Amy is the creator of teachmama.com, where her focus is to share the tools and resources parents need to be the best teachers for their children. She’s not a full-fledged homeschooling mom; rather, she capitalizes on learning opportunities in the every day and uses games and play to get her own children prepared for school and excited about the world around them. Amy is paving the way for a more modern ‘lifestyle of learning’, empowering all parents to take a stronger role in supporting their children’s education. In February 2010, Amy created ‘we teach’ as a forum for parents and teachers to connect, share ideas, and grow into better educators—no matter the classroom. ‘we teach’ has grown quickly into one of the most successful and highly-trafficked educational forums on the web, recently partnering with the incredible educational toy company, Melissa & Doug.
6 Tips for a Successful Family Game Night
Pre-screen games. To be sure the games you play are appropriate for everyone in your family, make a “menu” of choices for game night. For younger children, you could lay out a small selection of acceptable choices, keeping games for older children (or games that tend to cause arguments) tucked out of sight.
Let the kids choose. Give each child a chance to choose from the game menu. You can rotate picking duties throughout the night or week to week. Whichever you choose, keep a clear list of whose turn it is to pick, and post it where everyone can see—it will help head off jealousy and set a good example of fair play. (Get a grown-up into the rotation if you want some say, too!)
Set a time limit. Announce it at the beginning of the night, give a 10-minute warning or “last game” call shortly before the end time and stick to your deadline. Having a clear-cut play period helps ensure that game night ends on a happy note, while kids are still engaged and before they are overtired or bored.
Stay positive. Even if you don’t like a particular game, grin and bear it if you expect your children to do the same!
Be a team player. If your child acts like a sore loser (or sore winner) after a game, change the pace with a cooperative game. Working together toward a common goal (such as collecting something before the timer runs out) refocuses attention on being together and having fun, rather than beating other players at a game.
Say “Good night” to game night! Transition to bedtime with something enjoyable but relaxing, such as a special book that’s just for game night, or a made-up story with characters or events from the games you’ve just played.
Harvest Hop Press & Spin Game: Fun for the whole family!
NEW Press & Spin Games for the whole family! Now you can include children as young as 3 years old in family game night!
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Val’s Crafty Corner: Farm Blocks + Sidewalk Scenes
Sometimes a little change of scenery is all it takes to make an old toy seem like new again. That’s exactly what happened with our Farm Blocks Set, which the kids have had for quite some time, when we took it outside and added a bit of sidewalk chalk!
Continue Reading March 16, 2012 at 10:05 am valeriedeneen 1 comment
Meet Our Newest Blog Ambassadors!
We are thrilled to announce our newest Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassadors! We would like to congratulate these exceptional bloggers and welcome them to the Melissa & Doug family! We are so excited to introduce to you Zina Harrington, Stacy Teet and Allie McDonald:
MEET ZINA:
Zina Harrington is the author of Let’s Lasso the Moon, where she inspires parents and children to keep the light of curiosity burning. Let’s Lasso the Moon features a collection of activities that help parents interact creatively with their children and enjoy the beauty of everyday moments. Currently Zina splits her weekdays Clark Kent-style; Mornings are spent innocuously working on creative photography projects, reserving library books and sharing ideas on Let’s Lasso the Moon; afternoons are spent as the everyday superhero: Mom. This onetime big-city tech girl is ironically a tree hugger who resides in a picturesque small town with her family. Her husband, Shad, and two daughters (ages seven and five) are her three biggest fans. As spring approaches Zina is looking forward to showcasing classic, creative outdoor play! Visit Zina today at her blog LetsLassoTheMoon.com, say “Hi” to her on Facebook and don’t miss her amazing Pinterest page!
MEET STACY:
Stacy Teet is the author of KidsStuffWorld! A military mom turned supermom, this nature-loving, wannabe crafter has a positive outlook and fresh perspective on everyday life. She’s on a mission to raise three happy, healthy, well-balanced kids and best of all, she wants to share her secrets! Her writing is chock-full of tips for enjoying parenthood, saving money, entertaining your kids and making your family’s life a bit simpler. She’s sure to inspire you with new ideas, helpful insights and easy steps to connect with your community and care for the planet. Check out the whole story on her Web site, KidsStuffWorld.com, or take a peek behind the scenes by following her on Pinterest, Twitter or the KSW Facebook page.
MEET ALLISON:
Allison McDonald is the founder and editor of No Time For Flash Cards! She has been teaching children in various capacities since 1993, so you can imagine that she has done her fair share of crafts, songs and circle times! She started as a day-camp leader at a local recreation center while in high school, taught various preschool-age and after-school programs through college, and worked as a reading tutor while pursuing a degree in elementary education. After graduating with honors, Allison spent a year as a director of a large childcare center and preschool, but realized pretty quickly that she didn’t belong in an office! She returned to the classroom after one year. Her son’s birth brought her home, and her love of teaching and helping other parents sparked the idea for No Time for Flash Cards.
Since starting No Time for Flash Cards in early 2008 Allison has contributed activities to some wonderful websites , become a staff blogger at FamilyEducation.com and written curriculum for Itty-Bitty Bookworm, a literature-based preschool curriculum. Early childhood education is her passion . . . her heart belongs to the little guys! Get to know Allie and see her creative kids’ crafts and educational activities on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. And make sure you visit No Time for Flash Cards!
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages.
If you are interested in becoming a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador please write us at Bloggers@MelissaAndDoug.com
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Tips for a Successful Family Garden
Choose plants that grow quickly. For little farmers with little attention spans, choosing the right plants is key to keeping interest high. Large seeds, such as beans, cucumbers, pumpkins and zucchini, are easy to plant and sprout quickly. Radishes are the quickest to grow, but the seeds are small. Cherry tomatoes are a good choice too because they produce loads of bite-size treats that children can pick and eat straight from their garden.
Give your child his or her own gardening plot! A 3’ x 3’ plot is fine for a preschool child. It’s small enough so it won’t be overwhelming, but large enough to inspire a healthy sense of pride and responsibility.
Layout is important! For larger gardens, try using a wagon-wheel design to make it easy to water and pick later. Whatever your layout, remember to leave a walking path!
Prepare the soil by turning it over using shovels. Then use a gardening rake to help remove any large stones or roots.
Plant the seeds according to packet directions but remember: It doesn’t have to be done perfectly. (Plants and trees grow all the time without directions!) Offer your child guidance as needed, but try not to take control. Let the child’s plot be his or hers alone.
Babies need special care – even baby plants! Water the new seedlings according to the packet instructions.
Check the garden every day and celebrate every new growth. Take pictures so you can watch the evolution over and over again. Children are fascinated by this!
Add to your garden along the way. Projects may include adding stepping-stones, posting a garden sign or writing out plant markers.
Enjoy the bounty of your hard work – whether that means picking cucumbers for a salad, serving your fresh green beans with dinner or collecting a beautiful bouquet of flowers to show off on the dining table!
Check out our Sunny Patch Gardening Tools & Toys for your next family gardening project!
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages.
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Twitter Party Featuring Melissa of Melissa & Doug: Monday 3/19 9pm ET
PreTweet to Enter to Win a Trunki Prize Pack!
Tweet the message below any time BEFORE our party starts (9pm ET Monday, 3/19) to automatically be entered to win a Trunki Prize Pack >>
Join me + meet Melissa of @MelissaAndDoug! Twitter Party Mon. 3/19 9pm EST. RSVP> bit.ly/319mandd @melissastoys #MDparty
Join Us Monday Night 3/19/12 at 9pm EST to meet Melissa, have some fun, and the chance to win great prizes!
You must RSVP and attend the Twitter Party to be eligible for the party’s giveaways and to claim prizes! You will have the opportunity to tweet with Melissa (@melissastoys) during the party! All of our Blog Ambassadors will also be at the party!
Twitter Party Tips:
___ Follow @MelissaAndDoug on Twitter (Melissa & Doug company)
___Follow @MelissasToys on Twitter (Melissa)
___ Follow @TeachMama on Twitter (Blog Ambassador)
___ Follow @InnerChildFun on Twitter (Blog Ambassador)
___ LIKE Melissa & Doug on Facebook
___ LIKE Inner Child Fun on Facebook
___ Know your hashtag: #MDparty
___ Think of a kids’ joke to share – Easter/Spring
___ Tell a friend to join us!
___ Prepare for Fun!
FAQ:
Q. What’s a Twitter Party?
A. A Twitter Party is a virtual party where partygoers connect over Twitter. A host leads the discussion and partygoers tweet to join the conversation, using a special hashtag to categorize comments as belonging to the party. A party can be searched by its hashtag. (See also http://www.twitterpartyguide.com/what-is-a-twitter-party)
Q. What’s the hashtag for the Melissa & Doug Twitter Party?
A. #MDparty
Q. What is a hashtag?
A. A word becomes a hashtag, or keyword, when it’s preceded by a # symbol. This signals Twitter to categorize a tweet according to that keyword so it will come up in search results. So, for instance, when you do a Twitter search for #MDparty, you’ll see what an amazing time we’re having Monday night! (Also see https://support.twitter.com/articles/49309-what-are-hashtags-symbols)
Q. Why do I have to RSVP?
A. We pick names from the RSVP list for our prize giveaways. So technically you don’t HAVE to RSVP–but you won’t win prizes if you don’t! (To be eligible for giveaways, you’ll need to RSVP attend the party and participate by answering our party questions.)
Q. How far in advance should I RSVP?
A. You can RSVP as late as right before the first question is asked. We refresh the RSVP list right before our first giveaway.
Q. How long does the party last?
A. Our Twitter parties usually last 1.5 – 2 hours. You can come for just a few minutes, stay the whole time or anything in between.
Q. Do I have to participate?
A. You may participate as little or as much as you’d like. You need only be present and participating to be eligible to win prizes and giveaways.
Q. What will we do at the Twitter party?
A. During the Twitter party the hosts (@MelissaAndDoug, @weteach, and @innerchildfun) will ask questions about parenting, toys, family activities, telling kids jokes and more, and you can answer each question or comment on another person’s answer. Remember to use hashtag #MDparty so everyone can see your comments.
For example, @MelissaAndDoug might ask, “Q1: Do you do anything special for your child last weekend? #MDparty” You could answer “@MelissaAndDoug Yes, it was my son’s 3rd birthday party! #MDparty”
Each question is tied to a giveaway. Partiers are given a few minutes to answer each question. Once the question is closed we choose a winner for that question.
Throughout the party we also share information about our website, new products, upcoming events & promotions, tell jokes, get advice from other parents and more. Each party is different, but they are always fun!
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Pinterest Contest: Pin Your Sunny Patch Favorites to Win!
Puddles & Sun, It’s Spring Oh My!
Pin Your Sunny Patch Favorites and Win!
Pinterest Contest!
HERE’S HOW TO PIN IT TO WIN IT!
- Visit Melissa & Doug’s Pinterest Page and click “Follow All.”
- On your Pinterest page make a board titled “Spring Wish List.” In the board’s description tell us why you love Melissa & Doug toys. We love hearing about how your family likes to play!
- Pin least 10 Melissa & Doug toys to your “Spring Wish List” that your family would love to play with! Don’t let us stop you there, pin to your heart’s content! Be sure to include at least 5 pins from the Sunny Patch Outdoor Lifestyle Collection.
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Complete your “Spring Wish List” by midnight EST Tuesday April 3, 2012 and place its link below as a comment. Contest runs 3/20/12 – 4/03/12. Click for promotion details.
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How much the lucky pinner wins is up to you.
The lucky winner will receive $50 in Melissa & Doug toys for every 50 entries we receive, up to a total of $250! So after you share the board with us, be sure to tell your friends and family to enter too!
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BLOGGERS & FANS CAN SHARE THIS PROMOTION ON THEIR PINTEREST PAGE:
- Choose one of the “pins” below.
- “Pin” it to a board on your Pinterest page.
- Bloggers, let us know if you “pin” it. We’ll give you a shout out on our facebook page!
Pin Choice 1:
Pin Choice 2:
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Melissa & Doug educational toys for children.
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3 Uplifting Bubble Games for Kids!
- Bubble Colors:
Add food coloring to bubble solution to create colorful bubbles! - Bubble Painting:
Using the colored bubble solution described above, blow your bubbles onto a piece of poster board or card stock to make bubble art. - Bubble Races:
Hold a contest to see who can get a bubble from the starting line to the finish line without touching it!
5 Creative Play Ideas with Stickers
5 Creative Play Ideas with Stickers
- The Neverending Story Game: All family members can participate! On a blank piece of paper, the first “player” puts a sticker down and describes the scene, beginning the story. The next “player” adds a sticker and adds to the story, continuing the general story idea. This goes on until you run out of paper, ideas or stickers! Kids love this game because it gets silly quickly, and the same sheet of stickers can be used for storytelling over and over again.
- Create a Story Book: Take a few sheets of regular-size construction paper and fold in half. Choose stickers with a common theme and put one or more at the top portion of each page. At the bottom of each page, help your child write a story that goes along with the stickers. Older children can write their own story. An alternate version of this is to write a few vocabulary words on each page. For example, one page might have the words “princess,” “castle” and “frog.” The next page may have “prince,” “horse” and “knight.”
- Make Unique Wrapping Paper or a Greeting Card: Use craft paper and add stickers for a unique and festive gift wrap. Use construction paper and add stickers for a lovely greeting card.
- Fill a Scene: On a piece of construction paper or copy paper, place a single sticker and ask the child to fill the remaining space with drawings inspired by that sticker. For instance, a sticker of a tiger could inspire a jungle scene, filled with trees and animals. Challenge the child to add as much color and detail as possible.
- Decorate a Homemade Photo Frame: Print out a favorite photo and tape onto construction paper. Use stickers to decorate the “frame.”
Melissa & Doug Stickers for kids
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages.
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Val’s Crafty Corner — Exploring Form and Balance
This toy review is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador, Valerie Deneen. Connect with your kids by playing new and fun games together!
We have been having so much FUN with a new balancing strategy game by Melissa & Doug called Suspend! What a great family game for kids ages 8 and up – parents will definitely enjoy it too! As soon as my daughter spotted a photo of Suspend, she could not wait to give it a try!
The concept is simple: Players take turns rolling a colored die to see which colored rod to place on top of the balancing pile without knocking the rods down. So much fun!!
I love how each time Suspend is played, different scenarios are built — a really effective way to introduce kids to the concepts of form and balance. Since you only need about 5-10 minutes to play, it’s the perfect activity for my daughter to enjoy some quality time with her dad before he leaves for work in the morning.
If you play carefully, you may even end up with a unique sculpture!
I’m not sure who’s having more fun with this — my daughter, or my husband!!
Here’s a short video of Suspend…. in action!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages — with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter, or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
TeachMama Talks: Love the Letters of the Alphabet
This educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Amy Mascott. Learning can be fun!
My kids seem to go for anything I call a “game”—so whether it’s the “get your coat and shoes on” game, the “eat your breakfast” game or the “finish the puzzle” game, usually my kids will jump at the opportunity to play pretty much anything.
So when I suggested we play the “I Love Letters, I Love Words” game, my kids were . . . game.
As Maddy and Owen finished their homework, Cora and I played a game using one of our favorite puzzles because, as she approaches Kindergarten, I really want to make sure she has a firm understanding of the letters of the alphabet.
Playing with the letters of the alphabet is easy—and parents can really get children excited about letters in simple but meaningful ways. Our kids are going to be hanging out with these letters for the rest of their lives; they might as well get to know them, right?
And if they love the letters of the alphabet? Awesome! It just might make learning to read that much more exciting—and easy—for everyone!
So instead of just dumping out the puzzle pieces and putting them back into the correct spots, we did things just a teeny bit differently. We played “I Love Letters, I Love Words”—a quickie game we created on the fly—and before we knew it, Maddy and Owen, who already know their letters, were trying to speed through their homework so they could join their sister and me in our game.
Here’s how we played:
- We dumped all of the pieces into a big pile.
- We took turns pulling a letter from the pile of pieces.
- When we picked up a letter, we’d say something like: “I have a letter C. I looooooove the letter C because C makes two sounds–a hard C and a soft C. I know that cat begins with C and coat begins with C and car begins with C.”
- And then when we found the spot where it belonged, we’d say, “And cow and clover begin with C,” all of us calling out the names of the pictures by the C on the puzzle board.
- We went through each letter of the alphabet until the puzzle was complete, and when we finished, we sang a loud and beautiful ABC song as we pointed to each letter on the board.
Learning to Love Letters with the Melissa & Doug Jumbo ABC Chunky Puzzle
It was quick, but it was fun. What I love about this game is that Cora heard me say that I loved letters, so that she, too, wanted to say that she loved letters. And the reasons she loved letters may not have been what I thought; her reasons, though, were creative and smart.
Instead of loving letters for sounds, sometimes she loved letters for the fact that they began one of her friends’ names, like I for Isabella or B for Brooklyn. Sometimes she loved letters because they were easy to write, like T or L. Other times she loved letters for their magic–like the O that never turns upside down or the M and W that turned into each other when they were flipped.
And Maddy and Owen loved calling out words that began with each letter to prove that they were the experts—but I didn’t mind; I was just happy that they wanted to jump in and that their participation in our little Love Letter game also demonstrated to Cora that these letters were indeed pretty cool.
Because really? They are very cool.
Do you want to get your hands on this particular game so you can play “I Love Letters, I Love Words” (or your own adaption)? You can find it here: Jumbo ABC Chunky Puzzle
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Amy is the creator of teachmama.com, where her focus is to share the tools and resources parents need to be the best teachers for their children. She’s not a full-fledged homeschooling mom; rather, she capitalizes on learning opportunities in the every day and uses games and play to get her own children prepared for school and excited about the world around them. Amy is paving the way for a more modern “lifestyle of learning,” empowering all parents to take a stronger role in supporting their children’s education. In February 2010, Amy created “we teach” as a forum for parents and teachers to connect, share ideas, and grow into better educators—no matter the classroom. “we teach” has grown quickly into one of the most successful and highly-trafficked educational forums on the web, recently partnering with the incredible educational toy company, Melissa & Doug.
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Suspend Game Wins Award for Best Games 2012: Video Review
We are proud to announce that our brand-new family game SUSPEND just won Best Toys Guide: Best Games of 2012!
What is SUSPEND?
A family game of tricky hangs and steady hands! Suspend comes with 24 notched, rubber-tipped wire pieces to hang from a tabletop stand. Sound easy? Try adding another piece! Each time a bar is added, the balance shifts, the difficulty changes and the incredible midair sculpture transforms. Can you add all your game pieces without making it fall? Try this hanging balance game and you’ll be hooked! A tricky game for 1–4 players, SUSPEND is a test of steady nerves and steady hands.
Read the full review of Suspend Family Game at BestToysGuide.com!
Check out this great video that shows you just how to play!
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The Benefits of Being Outside by Melissa
by Melissa for grandparents.com
Spontaneous time spent outdoors can have benefits beyond your wildest dreams!
shocked to find no children at all playing in their yards. On a beautiful, sunny day, I find that very disheartening! Most everything in a child’s life today is scheduled with a distinct purpose. The only sunlight and fresh air kids generally get is walking from the car into buildings for their steady stream of activities. Although organized sports participation is at an all-time high, they are more structured and professionally coached than ever, and there is no open-ended play aspect inherent.Like this:
5 Fun Ways to Teach Children the Letters of the Alphabet
Melissa & Doug Alphabet Toys & Puzzles_______________________________________________ At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of quality educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting toys for children of all ages. |
Read & Play with Allie: Trucks
 Playing with puzzles is a teacher and parent favorite for quiet time, when kids need to calm down. When I taught preschool, after lunch but before nap was always a good time for puzzles because it calmed my students before rest time. But that’s not the only way you can use puzzles; they can be a dynamic learning tool especially when coupled with a good book.My daughter just graduated from Jumbo Knob Puzzles to Peg Puzzles. To get her started I paired Vehicles Mix ’n Match Peg Puzzle with the book Touchy Feely Trucks by Fiona Watt.  We started by playing with the puzzle. Since she is just beginning with peg puzzles, I removed three pieces at a time and asked her where they went. If I had removed them all at once it may have been overwhelming, but she had no trouble finding the spots with just three pieces to place. Her favorite thing to do was to put the puzzle piece in the wrong spot on purpose and say, “No no no no!” and laugh. Then she’d find the right one and give herself a clap. That self-congratulations is what it’s all about: finding challenges that kids can conquer themselves and helping them feel pride in their effort and success.Look how fast she is clapping! She is so proud that she got it in all by herself! That’s not all I love about puzzles though. So many great skills are being worked on in such a simple toy: matching and problem solving, for instance. And of course these puzzles are fantastic for fine-motor development; holding the little pegs takes serious effort when you are little.
After we did all three rows of the puzzle we read the book. For younger children, try to pair the puzzle with a shorter book, since attention spans aren’t huge and you want your child to learn and have fun connecting the two. Touchy Feely Trucks is a great book for toddlers because it’s a touch-and-feel book with different textures to feel as you turn each page. Great for wiggly toddlers who crave stimulation. Other great truck-themed books include I Love Trucks! by Philemon Sturges, My Truck Is Stuck! by Kevin Lewis and Trucks by Byron Barton.
After we read I grabbed the puzzle and we played a simple matching game. I flipped through the book and gave her one puzzle piece, saying “Can you put this yellow truck on the yellow truck in the book?” This is a good activity to add to the book and puzzle because you are building on the matching activity that the puzzle already sets out to teach.
We did this three times, which was just the right amount of time for her. Watch your child’s cues because once frustration sets in, learning steps out! By pairing a great classic toy like a puzzle with a book you deepen the connections your child makes and spark her curiosity about the theme of both. Check out these other great peg puzzles we love! |
Val’s Crafty Corner — Sand Play Bakery!
This springtime recipe for creative play is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, and is written by our Blog Ambassador Valerie Deneen. Enjoy taking your kids’ creativity outdoors!
One of the activities my kids look forward to the most every spring is playing outdoors in the sandbox! They can spend hours happily playing together, engaged in their own imaginary world. I love that it is such a simple activity they both truly enjoy. Recently, they opened their own sand play bakery, which kept them very busy!
There was so much to do: measuring, sifting, stirring, baking, decorating, taking orders for custom cakes and cupcakes, and so much more. This sand play bakery was seriously popular with many highly satisfied customers!
Like many forms of pretend play, sand play is a great activity to develop early problem-solving skills. Sand cakes won’t mold properly? Try adding a little more water, or perhaps a little more sand. Have a customer who demands colored decorations on her cupcakes? Try adding some flowers or seashells. There are so many possibilities!
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to deliver this exquisite custom sand cake for the mermaids’ seaside party. Delicious!
| Photographs feature: | |||
 Seaside Sidekicks Sand Cupcake Set |
 Seaside Sidekicks Sand Baking Set |
 Clicker Crab Pail and Shovel Sand Toys |
 Seaside Sidekicks Sand-Molding Set |
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun, where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages—with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter, or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
Gardening Playdate with Melissa & Doug
This playdate idea is brought to you by Melissa & Doug , written by our Blog Ambassador Allison McDonald. “Everyday play is what childhood should be about.”
“Can we have a playdate?” How often do you hear that?
For us it’s about every day at 1pm as I pick my son up from school. I love hosting other kids for playdates, but the disaster that is left in what was once my only slightly messy playroom is at times overwhelming. It’s not that the kids are being unruly, it’s that they are excited and go from one thing to another . . . to another . . . to another.
(And they don’t put anything away. Would you if you were that excited? Probably not.)
But sometimes it’s just the opposite.
“We’re bored, we don’t know what to play.”
Seriously? How is that even possible?!
To calm the chaos on the overexcited days and also spark play on the quieter ones, try planning your playdate on a specific theme. Here are some great ideas for a spring gardening playdate:
Dedicate a corner of your own garden or fill a large, shallow, plastic tub with some topsoil, provide some kid-size tools like the Tootle Turtle Gardening Tote Set and a few packs of seeds. Let the kids plant and water as they wish. It doesn’t have to be perfectly planted–remember you’re aiming for fun not a bumper crop.
After they dig, plant and get nice and muddy, stop for a snack. You can serve mini sandwiches cut into flowers with a cookie cutter, carrot sticks and of course a gummy worm or two for a treat! Use the Bella Butterfly Picnic Set and the garden theme won’t have to stop just because the gardeners are refueling.
They will need that fuel for the next activity. What is gardening without water? It’s time to fill up those Bibi Bee Watering Cans and feed all the plants in your yard. The kids won’t even know they are doing you and your to-do list a favor. Since they are probably going to water more than the plants, you might want to plan to pull out the Blossom Bright Sprinkler and let them run through it! Don’t forget to have extra swimsuits and towels on hand for guests that may have forgotten them.
After exciting and physical activities like gardening and running through a sprinkler, it’s a good idea to have a quieter, relaxed activity before it’s time to head home. I love the idea of a chill-out tent, and the Mollie and Bollie Tent is a great place to cozy up and read some garden-themed books or do a puzzle–like this Insects Chunky Puzzle–that fits in perfectly with your theme.
I can’t guarantee that the kids won’t still find a way to explode toys all over your playroom, but I can guarantee they won’t be bored! Using themes can change an everyday playdate into something really cool, and with the help of fantastic toys it can be amazing.
Have you ever hosted a themed playdate? Was it a hit ?
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Let’s Lasso the Moon: Indoor Spring Camping!
This weekend activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug and written by our Blog Ambassador Zina Harrington. Keep the light of curiosity alive!
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Ready to go camping . . . inside the house? Set up camp in the living room and get ready for a family adventure!
Follow these 5 tips to make the most of your expedition:
1. Make a rain-or-shine reservation. Mark the calendar and tell the kids–Camping Night is coming! Spring weather is unpredictable, but an indoor campsite will be high and dry no matter what.
2. Set-up your campsite. Take a deep breath and make it a YES Day. Indoor tents don’t have to be set up exactly right–they don’t even have to be real tents!–so relax and enjoy setting up the “site.”
- Clear an area in the house and set up a full-sized family tent (sans stakes). Even a kid-size tent would do!
- If equipment is an issue, use your imagination. Grab the blankets! Don’t underestimate the power of the kitchen table. Pull out the chairs and get creative. Bunk beds can also be easily transformed into secret hideouts.
- Build a pretend fire out of blocks, colorful paper, or cardboard tubes. You can add flameless (electric) “candles” too!
Let’s Lasso the Moon Tip: Buy yourself a bag of clothespins. They are wonderful for clipping together blankets for forts. They also are great for chip clips, holding mittens together, and a variety of other random projects.
3. Go Offline. Consider shutting down the computers, TVs, and gadgets in your home for the weekend, including maybe your {yikes} cell phone.
4. Create an itinerary, then break it. A good traveling friend of mine always says, “Plan your vacation itinerary so you can choose to ignore your plans.” Isn’t that a glorious approach? Here are some great indoor activities that you can add to your itinerary:
- Eat dinner on a picnic blanket.
- Hand out flashlights and take a nighttime “hike” around the house.
- Roast s’mores in the oven.
- Take turns telling spooky stories.
- Sing favorite songs around the campfire.
{Bibi Bee Flashlight & Mollie Flashlight}
5. Rock the Casbah. Here is the KEY to making this event truly memorable–lean in, listen closely… You need to actually let your child sleep under the kitchen table, or in the tent, or on the living room floor under the “night sky.” This tiny detail will make or break your adventure.
{Mollie Sleeping Bag} *Trusty Mollie Flashlight in tow in case a night emergency arises!
{Augie Alligator Sleeping Bag}
Do you have any additional suggestions for making the weekend memorable? Let’s chat in the comments!
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Zina Harrington is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Let’s Lasso the Moon, where she inspires parents and children to keep the light of curiosity burning. Let’s Lasso the Moon features a collection of activities that help parents interact creatively with their children and enjoy the beauty of everyday moments. Currently Zina splits her weekdays Clark Kent-style; Mornings are spent innocuously working on creative photography projects, reserving library books and sharing ideas on Let’s Lasso the Moon; afternoons are spent as the everyday superhero: Mom. Visit Zina today at her blog LetsLassoTheMoon.com, say “Hi” to her on Facebook and don’t miss her amazing Pinterest boards!
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April 11, 2012 at 7:00 am Zina :: Let's Lasso the Moon 7 comments
What Lessons Will Bloom in Your Child’s Garden?
Memory & Sequencing: The process of planting requires gardeners to follow set steps. Your child will use memory and narrative thinking to master the process: Prepare the soil, dig the hole, plant the seed. . . . Biology: Through direct experience your child will see a basic life cycle unfold: infancy, growth, full bloom, death. Responsibility: The care necessary to grow a successful garden is ongoing and specific. Accepting the challenge encourages accountability; sticking to it is an applause-worthy sign of maturity! Math & Measuring: How many seeds go into each hole? How far apart should the seeds be spaced? How big is the garden? How much water do the seeds need? Math plays a part in the gardening process in a way that’s natural and engaging. Self-Esteem: Once the garden is in bloom, your child will feel a well-deserved sense of pride. After all, what was once a patch of dirt is now a productive garden—thanks to hard work and big-kid responsibility!
_______________________________________________ At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of quality educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting toys for children of all ages. |
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Skill Building Through Sand Play
 Skill Building through Sand Play
_______________________________________________ At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of quality educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting toys for children of all ages. |
Val’s Crafty Corner: Last-Minute Easter Bookmarks
This arts-and-crafts activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Valerie Deneen. Enjoy creating handmade bookmarks with this quick and easy activity for Easter!
These last-minute Easter bookmarks are a great way to keep the kids busy while creating a little gift for their friends or family! To create the stamps, I cut some potatoes in half, then invited my daughter to add designs to the cut surface with a dull pencil.
We wiped off the excess starch with a paper towel, then started stamping on a sheet of recycled white cardboard using our favorite washable Melissa & Doug Jumbo Stamp Pad. So colorful and festive!!
I would have encouraged her to cover the entire sheet of cardboard, but she needed very little encouragement from me!
Once she had covered the entire sheet, we cut it up into strips, punched a hole at the top, and added some ribbon. She was so proud of her handmade gifts!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun, where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages—with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter, or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
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Stacy Shares: Exploring the Senses in Your Own Backyard
This family activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Stacy Teet. Explore your backyard in a new way with this sensory adventure.
Gardening with my kids is a big deal to me. It is one of the most rewarding ways we spend time together. There are so many memories to be made, wonders to behold and lessons to be learned; it’s amazing what you can do with some sun, a little soil and water, and your own five senses!
SIGHT
Brightly colored flowers look striking in containers, hanging baskets and flowerbeds. Giant flowers can also add an exciting visual effect. (This year we’re growing a natural clubhouse with sunflower walls!)
Plant: Marigolds, Morning Glories (they climb!), Zinnias, Sunflowers and Allium
Play: Have younger kids tell you the colors of each plant. Work with older to kids to recognize different types of flowers. As they explore in the sun, remember to protect their delicate eyes! Blossom Bright or Happy Giddy Flip-Up Sunglasses look adorable and are comfortable, too.
SMELL
It only takes a whiff of honeysuckle or wisteria to bring back fond memories of my childhood. Scents hold a special place in our memory banks–adding some to your backyard could make a lasting impression with your kids.
Plant: Chocolate Mint, Pineapple Mint, Lemon Verbena
Play: Sniff often! If growing herbs, take them indoors and use them in an exciting way–make an exotic lemonade or host a fancy tea party.
TASTE
That moment when your child picks his first fruit or veggie and takes a bite right off the vine could mean the difference between a picky eater and a veggie lover. (My littlest one, who has grown up with something always growing in the backyard, is the first to rush out and pick “may toes” when he wants a snack!)
Plant: Cherry Tomatoes, Yellow Watermelon, Berries, Carrots, Beans, Radishes
Play: Have a taste test in the garden when things begin to ripen. (If you’re not gardening organically, make sure your kids know to wash everything first.) Kids can eat right off the vine, or collect produce in Happy Giddy Pail or Mollie & Bollie Pail.
TOUCH
We spend a lot of time in zoos and other places where my children are not allowed to touch a thing. I want our backyard to be the opposite–a place to explore, pick, pull, dig and do whatever their little minds come up with. I want a space where they can make a good, old-fashioned mud mess!
Play: Tempt kids to get down in the dirt with their very own gardening supplies. This Bella Butterfly Gardening Tote has everything they need!
SOUND
Spend a quiet moment to listen to the sounds of the backyard: birds chirping, branches rustling in the breeze, wind chimes. During a happy afternoon outside you’re bound to hear another precious sound, too: The giggles of your kids, having a wonderful time in the garden!
Play: When you’re in the backyard try and identify sounds and determine where they’re coming from!
Please feel free to share any more ideas you might have!
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Stacy Teet is the author of KidsStuffWorld! A military mom turned supermom, this nature-loving, wannabe crafter has a positive outlook and fresh perspective on everyday life. She’s on a mission to raise three happy, healthy, well-balanced kids and best of all, she wants to share her secrets! Her writing is chock-full of tips for enjoying parenthood, saving money, entertaining your kids and making your family’s life a bit simpler. She’s sure to inspire you with new ideas, helpful insights and easy steps to connect with your community and care for the planet. Check out the whole story on her Web site, KidsStuffWorld.com, or take a peek behind the scenes by following her on Pinterest, Twitter or the KSW Facebook page.
5 Outdoor Activities Children of Different Ages Can Share
——————————————————————— At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 1000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
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Chat with Children: Talk, Listen and Learn
This educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Amy Mascott.
What better way to chat with children than while their hands are busy crafting? -Amy
It’s easy to forget that time with our kids–even if it’s just sitting next to them as kids are crafting or snacking–can be time well-spent as long as we’re present. As long as we are really, 100% with the child and not texting, chatting on the phone or watching TV.
Talk. Have a conversation with your child. Make observations, share stories about your childhood and your memories, share your dreams.
Kids want to know all about the adults in their lives. They love putting the pieces of the parent-puzzle together; they want to know what life was like when we were kids. They want to know how they are similar–and different–from the people they most love and trust. They also need to hear how you use words to learn about the structure and nuances of language.
Fairytale Princess Peel & Press Stickers by Number
Listen. As important as it is for us to talk through experiences with our children, it’s equally important for us to listen during playtime, giving children breaks in our running dialogue so they can interject, add their ideas and engage in conversation with us.
Encourage your child to talk by demonstrating good listening skills: Acknowledge her words, even with just a nod; be patient if she stutters or is slow to form her thoughts; ask questions to help her expand on her thoughts and show that you’re listening.
Fairytale Princess Peel & Press Stickers by Number
Learn. As you converse with and listen to your child, learn about the child’s interests, strengths, weaknesses, dreams and fears. Remember them.
Learn about his friends and teachers. Observe what letters he recognizes, words he can read, numbers he can write and the skills that he possesses.
Watch her fingers move, her attention to direction, her use of creativity.
And before you know it, talking, listening and learning will become natural, meaningful time spent together. With a few fun crafts to show for it.
Hang with Amy over at teachmama.com for more cool, super-sneaky ways to throw in some learning in the name of fun or join her at we teach–a forum for parents and teachers to connect, share ideas and grow–no matter the classroom. Or tweet with her (@teachmama), pin with her or chat with her on Facebook!
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TeachMama Talks: Developing Language through Play
This educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Amy Mascott. Spend a little focused playtime with your children, and help develop language as you play!
One of my favorite parts of playing with my kids–aside from spending time with three of the coolest kids I know–is finding ideal moments for sneaking in some learning.
Whether they’re playing with numbers, letters or language, when kids are engaged in an activity with their parents they’re captive audience members.
Melissa & Doug Cutting Food Box
And the learning can be so sneaky. . . that no one even knows they’re learning.
They’re just playing with their parents, and having a good ol’ time.
Here are two quickie tricks for developing language through play.
1. Stay Away from Baby Talk! Sure, it’s cute when your child says wabbit for rabbit or wa-wa for water, even ba-ba for banana or apa for apple. But it is super-important for parents and caregivers to use the correct words instead of repeating “baby” words.
When we repeat baby talk–even going as far as incorporating those “cute words” into our daily conversations–we’re actually not doing our children any favors. In fact, we’re reinforcing their errors and delaying their actual learning of language.
Melissa & Doug Sandwich Making Set
2. Refrain from Correcting Mistakes. Nothing can shut a person down like an immediate, reflexive correction: “Noooo, it’s NOT apa, it’s APPLE. Listen, AP-PLE. Okay? Let me hear you say it–APPLE.”
So at the time when we’re really trying to encourage our kiddos to take risks, try out new sounds and learn our language, we really want to encourage them to talk without fear. We don’t want to close this important door.
Instead, simply repeat the word correctly. And then move on. “Oh, you want the apple. Here you go. Here is the apple. Now what will you make with the apple? Do you want to cut the apple and make me a snack? I would love an apple to eat along with my sandwich.” Eventually, she’ll get it.
And before we know it, we’ll have confident, language-loving kids! Ready to teach? Start playing!
Hang with Amy over at teachmama.com for more cool, super-sneaky ways to throw in some learning in the name of fun, or join her at we teach–a forum for parents and teachers to connect, share ideas and grow–no matter the classroom. Or tweet with her (@teachmama), pin with her or chat with her on Facebook!
Val’s Crafty Corner – Indoor Puddle Jumping!
This creative energy-burning activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Valerie Deneen. Enjoy some active indoor pretend play with your kids!
Has the weather been a little too sunny for you? Do you miss the rain? Have you been struck with a sudden urge to sing and dance like Gene Kelly? Then indoor puddle jumping is for you!
First, be sure to dress appropriately in your favorite rain boots and raincoat! Next, add a few sheets of blue craft foam cut into puddles and raindrops. Time for jumping!
We had LOTS of smiles, and this was a great gross-motor activity to get the kids moving!
So, the next time you want to go jumping in puddles and Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate, take matters into your own hands.
A little video of our puddle jumping action…
Have fun!!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun, where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages—with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
Ultimate Birthday Party Sweepstakes! You Could Win $500 in Toys and Party Supplies
 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES (D.C.), 18 YEARS AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Sweepstakes ends 05/15/2012. For Official Rules, alternate method of entry, prize descriptions and odds, visit http://bit.ly/ultimate-birthday-party-official-rules. Sponsors: 1) Melissa & Doug, LLC, P.O. Box 590, Westport, CT 06881. View Melissa & Doug’s Privacy Policy, and 2)Party City Corporation of 25 Green Pond Road, Suite 1, Rockaway, NJ 07866. View Party City’s Privacy Policy. |
RYAN SEACREST and Melissa & DOUG Treat the Boys & Girls Club of East L.A. with Art Donations!
Earlier this month, we teamed up with Ryan Seacrest to perform a Random Act of Kindness: Supplying kids at the East LA Boys & Girls Club with fresh new Melissa and Doug art supplies! We’re happy we were able to help these great kids. Thanks for connecting us, Ryan Seacrest!
5 Reasons to Read to Your Child Every Day
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
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5 Fun Facts about Swimming
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
(More!) Tricks for Developing Language through Play
This educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Amy Mascott.
Playtime should be full of fun, but it’s also a super time to sneak in some language learning!
Did you totally dig the last Language & Play post? Sure you did!
Here are two more tricks for developing language through play:
1. Talk. About. Words. Even for our little guys, talking about words is important. We want to create word-conscious kids. We want our children to be aware of words, to love words and to listen and look for words wherever they may be. So if you’re playing with wooden food and you know the Spanish words for orange, apple and pear, teach them to your kids! Casually–like, “Hey, do you want to learn a new word today? Do you know that in Spanish, an orange is a naranja, and an apple is a manzana? Can you say naranja?”
Or if you don’t know another language–and many of us don’t–try simply talking about how a word sounds when you say it, how it feels when you say it or which other words rhyme with it. “Would you please cut me a piece of that pizza? I’m so very hungry. Not only do I love eating pizza, but I also love saying pizza. I feel a tickle on the roof of my mouth when I say it.”
Developing Language Skills through Pretend Food Play
2. Use Content-Specific Words–and Aim High. Use math terms. Use science terms. Use words that you think your child may not know. Play is a great time for teaching! Say things like:
“Please put that block under (or below, next to, above, alongside, to the left of, to the right of) the chair.”
“Would you please give me half (or a quarter of, or a third, or a fourth) of that pear?”
“I love spices on my vegetables. Would you please shake some pepper (or nutmeg, cumin, pepper) on them?”
“Will you please bake these cookies for 30 minutes at 350 degrees? Put them on the middle rack so they bake evenly.”
Two super-easy ways to develop your kiddos’ language–with a few more ideas to come!
Hang with Amy over at teachmama.com for more cool, super-sneaky ways to throw in some learning in the name of fun, or join her at we teach–a forum for parents and teachers to connect, share ideas and grow–no matter the classroom. Or tweet with her (@teachmama), pin with her or chat with her on Facebook!
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Stacy Shares: 5 Simple Ways to Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!
These “Earth Week” ideas are brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Stacy Teet. Show your appreciation for the planet all week!
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Stacy Teet is the author of KidsStuffWorld! A military mom turned supermom, this nature-loving, wannabe crafter has a positive outlook and fresh perspective on everyday life. She’s on a mission to raise three happy, healthy, well-balanced kids and best of all, she wants to share her secrets! Her writing is chock-full of tips for enjoying parenthood, saving money, entertaining your kids and making your family’s life a bit simpler. She’s sure to inspire you with new ideas, helpful insights and easy steps to connect with your community and care for the planet. Check out the whole story on her Web site, KidsStuffWorld.com, or take a peek behind the scenes by following her on Pinterest, Twitter or the KSW Facebook page.
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Earth Day Link-Up with Our Blog Ambassadors
5 Easy Ways to Raise Earth-friendly Kids
by Amy of TeachMama.com
Though my kids may scream at the occasional spider, cry when snow fills their boots or melt when the temperature reaches 110 degrees, I do believe they’re Earth-friendly, outdoor-loving kiddos. And there isn’t a whole lot to it. In celebration of Earth Day, here are five easy ways to raise Earth-friendly kids.
See full post…
Easy Waterproof
Wind Sock
by Valerie of InnerChildFun.com
10 Simple Tips for Helping Kids Develop an Everlasting Love of Nature
by Zina of LetsLassoTheMoon.com
Although we have a designated day for it, children enjoy celebrating Earth Day all year long. Join us for 10 Simple Tips for Helping Kids Develop an Everlasting Love of Nature. No need to go on a safari through Central Africa–delightful discoveries await you in your own backyard! Stop by throughout the weekend to enjoy a collection of over 100 Earth Day crafts, activities and ideas. See full post…
Make Your Own Eco Art Camera
by Stacy of KidsStuffWorld
Turn your trash into toys with a little paint and a lot of imagination. This Earth Day use items from your recycling bin to create this exciting new gadget, the Eco Art camera–half toy, half art project, 100% recycled goodness and a whole lot of awesome! Read all about this project and more on Stacy’s blog.
See full post…
15 Recycled Paper-Roll Crafts
by Allison of NoTimeForFlashCards.com
Earth Day is all about teaching children to respect the Earth and her resources. Using what we have to make something new lowers our impact on the earth and saves us money–those are two great lessons for any child. This Earth Day we have 15 great ideas to make something new with cardboard rolls. Check it out! See full post…
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Melissa & Doug is committed to partnering with bloggers who have a strong connection with the Melissa & Doug brand and a representative following of parents, grandparents, educators and caregivers. If you are a blogger who actively reviews products, holds giveaways on your blog, recognizes and embraces the value of classic and creative play–we want to connect with you! If you are excited to share the ways you use Melissa & Doug products anytime, anywhere–in the home, classroom and more–let’s talk!
Please contact us for more information:
Maxi Kozler mkozler@MelissaAndDoug.com
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Rainy Day Fun: Number Hunt
Easter is over, but my kids are still eager to hunt for things. When the weather is nice we head outside and hunt for bugs and worms and heart-shaped rocks but when it’s raining we hunt for numbers! A number hunt is a great learning-and-playing rainy-day activity. Melissa & Doug Chunky Number Puzzle is the perfect toy to use for number hunts.
Melissa & Doug Jumbo Numbers Chunky Puzzle
Now I know what you are thinking: You hide the numbers and the kids find them. Ta da!
Well yes.
But . . .
Yes there is a but. You can tailor this game to your children’s development too. Make the most of learning through play.
Here are a few variations for the simple number hunt.
- Keep it small. For young kids like my daughter, who is not yet 2, I only hide 1-10. I also keep them in a small area–for us, the foyer.
- Customize it. Choose only odd or even numbers and write them out on a clipboard for your child to check off.
- Map it. Give them a map to find the numbers. After they find them have them hide the numbers and make you a map!
- Spell it out. Make a checklist with the names of the numbers written out. This is great for new readers.
- Add equations. Write 2+1 = then send them off to find the correct answer. This is a wonderful way of including school-age kids. Math is rad and active even on a rainy day!
And if you are in a house like mine where competition is the key to everything, time it. If you have siblings like my children who are clearly not an even match (yet), have them beat their own time or make predictions and see how close them came.
Rainy days don’t have to be boring days when there are classic toys and classic games to play! Enjoy exploring these variations and have fun!
Allison McDonald is the founder and editor of No Time For Flash Cards! She has been teaching children in various capacities since 1993, so you can imagine that she has done her fair share of crafts, songs and circle times! Her son’s birth brought her home, and her love of teaching and helping other parents sparked the idea for No Time for Flash Cards. Early childhood education is her passion . . . her heart belongs to the little guys! Get to know Allie and see her creative kids’ crafts and educational activities on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
5 Tips for Making Rainy Days the Best Days
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
5 Indoor Creative Play Ideas
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
5 Ideas for a Dream of a Sleepover
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
Communicate without Words: 5 Nonverbal Tricks that Speak Loud and Clear!
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
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Parent Watercooler: 5 Creative Ways to Play with Goop!
This rainy-day activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Zina Harrington. Keep the light of curiosity alive!
Goop. Gak. Flubber. Call it what you wish. This slimy, stretchy, science recipe is ideal for experimenting on a rainy day. When there’s a lull in the action, introduce these ideas one at a time.
- Invite Roy G. Biv to play. Goop is great in its traditional white format, but color makes life more interesting. Grab the food dye and let the kids experiment with color. Tip: If you haven’t already, you might want to grab a smock at this point!
- Snip, snip, snip. Put your pointer finger to your chin and say, “I wonder,” pause for dramatic affect, and then hand your child a pair of child-safe scissors.
- Make it artistic. Pull out the crayons, colored pencils and markers and experiment. See which items show up on the goop and which do not.
Tip: Use water-soluble markers for easy hand cleanup. - Grab your Melissa & Doug Shape, Model & Mold clay play set! The wooden rolling pins, unique patterns and stamping cubes are great with clay, but even more fun with goop.
- Pull out the plastic cookie cutters. Watch your children entertain themselves as they cut out shapes of animals, letters, numbers and shapes.
See these tips in action:
Bonus Tip: In experimenting we discovered that goop can be really loud. Yes, loud! Pop on over to Let’s Lasso the Moon for directions on how to get giggles like this out of your little one.
Have you made Goop with your child? Do you have additional suggestions or ideas? Let’s chat in the comments!
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Zina is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Let’s Lasso the Moon, where she inspires parents and children to keep the light of curiosity burning. Let’s Lasso the Moon features a collection of activities that help parents interact creatively with their children and enjoy the beauty of everyday moments. Currently Zina splits her weekdays Clark Kent-style: Mornings are spent innocuously working on creative photography projects, reserving library books and sharing ideas on Let’s Lasso the Moon; afternoons are spent as the everyday superhero–Mom. Visit Zina today at her blog LetsLassoTheMoon.com, say “Hi” to her on Facebook and don’t miss her amazing Pinterest boards!
April 25, 2012 at 11:45 am Zina :: Let's Lasso the Moon 1 comment
5 Ideas For Indoor Playdates
These indoor playdate ideas are brought to you by Melissa & Doug , written by our Blog Ambassador Allison McDonald. “Everyday play is what childhood should be about.”
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The weather is finally getting nice, right? Well just when you think you are going to be spending every day gardening and playing outside, the weather reminds you that you have no control over it. 
What you do have control over is having fun indoors even if it’s cold, wet or just plain miserable outside. With these ideas for great indoor playdates, you won’t even care if the weather is bad because you’ll be having a blast inside.
- Mess-Free Art Day. I know how you feel: You spend all morning cleaning for a playdate, then after the friends leave you are cleaning up all over again. Kids are messy–and for every kid you add the mess grows. Minimize the mess and still have fun with art by using Melissa & Doug’s Paint with Water art pads. When the paintings are done, grab some painter’s tape and throw them up on the wall for an art show at pick-up time.
- Doll Birthday Party. Kids love parties and pretend play, so put the two together and have a doll-birthday playdate. Get dressed in fancy clothes, ask your guests to bring a doll or two, wrap a few gifts (package up those doll clothes!) and serve some Triple Layer Party Cake.
Triple Layer Party Cake
- Pool Playdate. Who says a play date has to be at your house? Meet friends at the local indoor pool and your kids can splash and play to their hearts’ content, no matter what the weather is like outside. Take along a Spark Shark Kickboard or two to make it even more fun.
Spark Shark Kickboard
- Unplugged Game Day. Keep them from accumulating more screen time and help them have a blast with a unplugged-games playdate. Provide a stack of great games like Harvest Hop Press & Spin Game for younger kids and the super-cool Suspendfor older ones and they won’t even notice that the TV hasn’t been on all day!
Suspend Game
- Dress-Up and Imagination Time. Kids don’t need us hovering with instructions, or orchestrating every last move when they are playing. Their imaginations are amazing, and all we need to do is provide awesome tools for it to soar. A full dress-up bin is a great way to let them do just that. They can be police officers, princesses, doctors . . . or they can turn these costumes into whatever they can imagine!
Super Heroine Role Play Costume
Allison McDonald is the founder and editor of No Time For Flash Cards! She has been teaching children in various capacities since 1993, so you can imagine that she has done her fair share of crafts, songs and circle times! Her son’s birth brought her home, and her love of teaching and helping other parents sparked the idea for No Time for Flash Cards. Early childhood education is her passion . . . her heart belongs to the little guys! Get to know Allie and see her creative kids’ crafts and educational activities on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
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5 Pre-Writing Skill-Builders
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At Melissa & Doug we strive to produce the highest-quality educational toys for children. From puzzles to puppets, plush to play food, magnetic activities, music and more, Melissa & Doug is one of the leading designers and manufacturers of educational toys and children’s products. Started in 1988 in their garage, Melissa & Doug has something for everyone, with over 2,000 unique and exciting products for children of all ages. |
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Val’s Crafty Corner: Rainy-Day Stamping
This creative activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Valerie Deneen. Make fun of rainy days with this wacky weather artwork!
My daughter and I had a great time making these silly raindrop pictures, and you probably already have everything you need to make one too!
This is a quick, low-mess craft to help brighten up an otherwise dreary afternoon. Yay for low-mess crafting!!!
To make your own, cut a teardrop-shaped stamp from the bottom of a carrot, and invite your child to stamp all over a sheet of white paper to her heart’s content. We love our Melissa & Doug Jumbo Stamp Pads for this!
Next, add some wiggle eyes to each drop. No wiggle eyes on-hand? Try drawing eyes with a marker or dipping a cotton swab in some black paint for the eyes.
With a pen or marker, draw a large circle for a mouth. Your raindrops will look so silly!!
I couldn’t resist making a silly raindrop picture of my own!
Have fun!!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun, where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages—with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
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Val’s Crafty Corner: DIY Letter-Writing Kit
This educational activity is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Valerie Deneen. Get your letter-writing supplies organized and let your kids enjoy some old-school fun!
Do you love getting letters in the mail? Do you want to send off a quick note to a friend, but tend to lose necessary supplies? Wish there was an easier way??
Try making your own letter-writing kit!
Gather letter-writing supplies from around the house, and place them in a large envelope or shoe box.
What’s in the letter-writing kit, you ask?
Here are some ideas of what to include:
- pens and pencils
- eraser
- various stationary and cards (better yet, make your own!)
- envelopes
- stickers!
- stamps and return-address labels
- for younger kids, try including homemade flash cards with frequently used words for letter writing
- alphabet stamps and stamp pad (we love the Melissa & Doug Jumbo Stamp Pad)
Once your kit is complete, close up your envelope.
Then decorate your kit with stickers!
The next time you want to write a letter, you will have everything you need in one handy place!
Happy writing!
Valerie Deneen is a Melissa & Doug Blog Ambassador and the author of Inner Child Fun, where she inspires parents to spend more quality time with their kids, and less money doing it. Inner Child Fun celebrates simple pleasures for all ages—with more than 1,000 frugal and creative projects that are sure to bring out the “kid” in you too! You can follow Valerie on Twitter or say “Hi” to her on Facebook!
