Tagged with 'Toys'

Ah, the family road trip. Back in the day, there were no tablets, no in-car media centers, and no handheld devices to keep little ones busy during a cross-country excursion. Imaginations were free to fly as the American landscape rolled past.Before you hit the open road this summer, explore some engaging, no-screen activities for the kiddos to make the most of your family windshield time. After all, you are all in this together!Alphabet FinderHave each (non-driving) family member hunt the letters from the alphabet using road signs and billboards, counting down from “A”. Each passenger should quietly go about this activity, so not give away his or her findings. On occasion, ask what letter everyone is “on”. Just wait until the whole family is stuck on “Q” together. The quiet competition keeps everyone guessing. I Spy JarBefore your family heads out, put together your own I Spy Jar. You will need a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid, a box of rice, and some small objects around the house like a doll comb, Snap Cubes, crayons, etc. Make a checklist for everything that will go in the jar. Pour in a small layer of the rice, add a few items, and then repeat. Seal the container and let the challenge begin!        The License Plate GameAs you motor along, keep a tally of every state license plate your family spies. This also keeps kids thinking about geography. If you are in California, discuss how far a car from Iowa must have had to travel. What states did it have to cross to get to get here? When you stop for something to eat, take an extra spin around a crowded parking lot to search for plates missing off your list! Dry Erase BoardThe dry erase board is a perennial favorite, whether on or off road. They are inexpensive and can keep hands busy for a long time. Make sure to pick one up for each family member, loading them up with a ton of extra colors. Many boards are magnetic, so don’t forget your Learning Resources numbers and letters, too.Busy WalletFor the younger set, upcycle an old wallet and fill it with items like used gift cards, ribbon, crayons, etc., for them to take out and put back in again. Little ones love to take a part Mom’s wallet, so why not give them one of their own? Just be prepared to be searching the car floor on your next rest stop to put it all back together. Window ClingsMake your little passengers’ window their own canvas. Grab window clings at your local drug store and pass them out when your riders become antsy. No mess, no worry, and lots of fun!  FlashlightsNighttime driving can be especially challenging. Hand out individual flashlights to each of the kids. These can be used to read or simply to make funny faces or have “light wars” with their brothers or sisters.   Have a safe trip! (And remember to pack lots of snacks!)

“Play is the work of the child.”Maria Montessori said this, and it’s still true today.If play is children’s work, then toys are their tools of the trade. Toys allow kids to use the skills they have and to challenge their bodies and minds in the most interesting ways.Toys seem to magically bring about joy, from the simplest rag doll to the most advanced electronic gizmo.  But more than that, toys help your kids realize important developmental benefits... just by having fun.Here are a few of the amazing things kids experience when they are happily absorbed in playing with a toy:

Relaxation

Don't underestimate the need for a child to de-stress. School and life can be hard for them. When you allow a child to take a break and unwind with fun, jump on it! Play is the perfect way to help release muscle tension, taper temper tantrums, and decrease anxiety. Plus, play puts everyone in a good mood!

Bonding

Toys encourage children and adults to play together. Doing so opens the door to conversations. It builds strong relationships that will continue long after the toys have been put away.

Confidence

Playing with toys offers repetition, which, in turn, leads to comfort and confidence. By being able to practice, children gain skills that lead them to push beyond their current levels. Plus, many toys have different levels of play. This helps children begin at a level that's right for their abilities and move up when they feel comfortable and confident to do so.

Skills

When kids play with toys, they think of unique ways to solve problems, learn cause and effect, be creative, and expand language skills. Through play, kids also pick up new ideas, build both fine and gross motor skills, cope with becoming frustrated, and learn how to get along with others.

Self-Motivation

Learning new skills can be a challenge, but when introduced through play, skill development isn't work, but fun that results in children wanting to do more—play more, learn more. And that growth is promoted by the children themselves, not driven by their parents or teachers.So, the next time you give a child a toy, you can smile knowing that you’re giving much more than that —you’re impacting a child in subtle, but powerful ways!