When my son was five, he decided he wanted to be Chop-Chop (from Skylander Giants) for Halloween, all because of a Happy Meal toy he got. (Thanks, McDonald’s!) That meant I had to figure out how to make a cardboard helmet for a costume. In case any of you are still working on Halloween costume pieces […]
Survival Skills Challenge: Building a Shelter
Your kids don’t have to go to summer camp to have fun. Whether you want to host your own backyard summer camp, or you’re looking for basic survival skills activities for kids, this building a shelter challenge will provide hours of endless fun. Whether it’s a blanket fort in the middle of the living room […]
Kids Spy Activities: Invisible Ink & Secret Code
Hiding behind the reclining chair, notebook in hand, my daughter peered out. “Shhhh!” I heard her whisper to her brother. Playing spies has become a new favorite for them. Kids of all ages love to pretend play. That’s why play kitchens, plastic tool sets, and cardboard box castles are always big hits with little ones. […]
Using Pretend Play to Teach Money Skills
I remember when my daughter got her first play kitchen. She spent hours serving me plastic food on tiny princess plates. She thought she was just having fun, but I knew her pretend play was helping her develop language and social skills. Kids learn best when they are engaged and having fun. Pretend play […]
Build Your Own Cardboard Castle Playhouse
Snuggled up on bean bags inside its orange and yellow walls, I fell in love with books. My kindergarten teacher had a cardboard castle set up as a reading area, and at the end of the school year, I was the lucky child that got to take that castle home. It was dragged outside on […]
