Starting around 18 months, toddlers begin to notice differences and commonalities between objects—which means it’s time to sort and group! HOW THEY PLAY: Preschoolers naturally seek to organize objects by color, size, shape, texture and type. Feed their hunger for this type of play by providing sorting toys like lacing beads, sorting cubes, [...]
Creative Play Quick Tip: Tell the Worst Story Ever
August 29, 2012 by
It’s the silliest game of one-upmanship ever . . . and a great way to lighten the mood after school, or when things are getting a little too serious! The rules are simple: The first storyteller tells the group a made-up event in his or her day. Everyone after that has to top it. For [...]
Creative Play Quick Tip: Play Food Is Good for You!
August 28, 2012 by
Want a fun after-school activity? Get your kids involved in meal planning by using play food to act out healthy habits! Here are three of our favorite ways to play with food toys—with a lunchbox spin for back to school! Pack it up: Encourage your kids to have fun with nutrition by letting them pack [...]
Camp Sunny Patch: Session 12 Printable Badge & Bonus Activity
August 23, 2012 by
Bravo, Campers! Here’s your Session 12 Camp Badge! Cut it out (or ask a grown-up to help), then paste or tape it to your August Camp Sunny Patch calendar to give yourself a round of applause. A Bonus for You When you download your Camp Sunny Patch Session 12 Badge you’ll also find a bonus matching game! [...]
Get Your Session 11 Printable Camp Badge & Bonus Activity
August 16, 2012 by
Bravo, Campers! Here’s your Session 11 Camp Badge Cut it out (or ask a grown-up to help), then paste or tape it to your August Camp Sunny Patch calendar to give yourself a round of applause. A Bonus for You When you download your Camp Sunny Patch Session 11 Badge you’ll also find a bonus matching game! [...]
Get Your Session 10 Printable Camp Badge & Bonus Activity
August 9, 2012 by
Bravo, Campers! Here’s your Session 10 Camp Badge Cut it out (or ask a grown-up to help), then paste or tape it to your August Camp Sunny Patch calendar to give yourself a round of applause. A Bonus for You When you download your Camp Sunny Patch Session 10 Badge you’ll also find a bonus! Enjoy. Enter [...]
Creative Play Quick Tip: Reward the Everyday!
August 8, 2012 by
Take a day to celebrate your family by making a big deal out of even little achievements. Everyone will appreciate the applause, and your little “Olympians” may even be motivated to be extra-helpful to up their medal count! This simple Olympic Medal craft makes it easy to spread that winning feeling: Using a coffee can [...]
Val’s Crafty Corner: Puppet Cooking Show
August 3, 2012 by
This recipe for creative play and storytelling fun is brought to you by Melissa & Doug, written by our Blog Ambassador Valerie Deneen. Enjoy making lovely memories with your kids! -Valerie Know what’s better than a cooking show on TV? A cooking show in your own living room . . . with PUPPETS!! Using puppets is [...]
Get Your Session 9 Printable Camp Badge & Bonus Activity
August 2, 2012 by
Bravo, Campers! Here’s your Session 9 Camp Badge Cut it out (or ask a grown-up to help), then paste or tape it to your August Camp Sunny Patch calendar to give yourself a round of applause. A Bonus for You When you download your Camp Sunny Patch Session 9 Badge you’ll also find a bonus! Enjoy. Enter [...]
