Make time for play time Budget time for a little nap and a snack, and make sure you ve got time to get all the kids home before dark.

Transcription

1 Three Steps to the Perfect Playdate Planning the perfect playdate is more than just child s play but a little bit of advance planning can make your kids fun time even more, well, fun... Make time for play time Budget time for a little nap and a snack, and make sure you ve got time to get all the kids home before dark. Give everyone a fair share of play Set up for your playdate by putting out your best share-able collaborative toys. Board games, building blocks and drawing supplies are great options. Create room to play but not to roam Don t hover over kids. They need time to socialize and learn to get along. But don t leave them alone in too wide open a space as that is an opportunity for kids to get into trouble.

2 Outdoor Play Made Easy Fresh air, sunshine, room to run the outdoors are the perfect place to play. Set your kids free to have fun, but keep an eye on a few simple steps. Dress for the occasion Don t let kids get caught out in the cold or the heat. Dress all your little ones according to the weather, and keep spare jackets and shorts in case the weather changes. Be prepared for playtime Sporting gear, water toys and other outdoor toys are perfect for a trip to the park or just in the backyard. They call it a playdate for a reason When you re meeting in a park or any other location away from home make sure you re on time when you arrange a playdate with another parent (and child). The more, the merrier If you set up a playdate in a public place like a park or kid-friendly restaurant, chances are there will be other children around. It s cool to let the little ones mingle, but make sure everyone s getting along.

3 Five Flawless Indoor Playdates When it s too chilly, rainy or grey outside for playtime, there are still plenty of ways to have fun inside. Fort-ify your home What could be better than a little home improvement? A couple poles or brooms, some blankets and you re ready to go! The fine art of fun You really can create your own fun. Put out some clay, or set up an easel, and let little ones imagination go wild! Tell some tales No matter what it s like outside, you can take kids on a journey by opening a book. Reading stories aloud is a guaranteed ticket to low-key fun. Safe jumping Running and jumping can sometimes be safe in the house. Check out indoor trampolines to let all that pent-up energy loose. Dance, dance, dance When all else fails on a rainy day, put on your dancing shoes (or socks). Hop, jump and boogie those indoor blues away!

4 Toddler Into the Outdoors Let little ones run (a little) wild Before they re ready to run, skip and jump, two- and three-year-olds can still have a toddlin time in the yard, at the park or on the playground. Chalk it up! Let creativity run free. Washable chalk lets kids draw to their hearts content on cement walkways and the best part is, it all rinses away, so they always have a blank canvas. Table top tents Kids can have it made in the shade. Throw a colorful blanket over an outdoor table, and create a secluded hideaway perfect for playtime. Keep it colorful Cloth streamers are an easy, breezy route to outdoor fun. Grab a pack and let the kids run wild. Let s play house Toddler-sized plastic playhouses let kids imagine all they want and heavy-duty plastic materials mean they ll last a long time.

5 Four Base-ic Tee Ball Games Tee ball is a great way to introduce kids to teamwork, practice, exercise and a whole lot of fun. There are plenty of ways to help the game along at home. Find the right bat Choose a bat that your little one can hold for a count of three. If they can t, the bat is too heavy. Catch up When two kids are throwing the ball back and forth, keep track of who catches the ball more often to make a fun contest out of a backyard classic. For even more fun, have everyone wear their gloves! Start small Even very little ones can tee up for fun. Toddler-sized tee-ball sets can introduce the game to three- and four-year-olds before they re ready to hit the diamond. Practice makes perfect Batting guides can help kids perfect their swing. By attaching a string from a ball to a tee, you can help kids take at-bats without having to chase down foul balls.

6 Spring Into Spring! When the weather brightens up for the first time, warm up for fun with a few great outdoor ideas. You re it! Make tag fair for littler ones by having older kids give them a head start by counting to 10 before they start chasing. Take a flower hunt As plants begin to bloom, take kids on a walking tour of your garden or a nearby field, and let them collect flowers to press into a book back home. Make a wish on a star Once the clouds start to clear, set up a telescope in the back yard and gaze up at the galaxy. You can even pick up books or star charts to learn more about the constellations and the universe.

7 Activities That Teach Motor Skills Practicing fine motor skills is an essential component of childhood development. It allows kids to be able to effectively use the small (intrinsic) muscles in their hands. Want the secret to getting your kids to develop their fine motor skills? Make it fun! There are countless activities that will train your child s fine motor skills. Tying shoes Zipping and unzipping Buckling and unbuckling (check out the Basic Skills Board to learn how to zip, buckle, lace, snap and more) Screwing and unscrewing Playing games that require precise hand and finger control Drawing, painting, and coloring Buttoning and snapping Putting small objects together, like blocks or Legos Putting together puzzles Making crafts These activities will not only improve your kids' fine motor skills, but they will pave the way for learning, creative expression and exploration.

8 Build the Ultimate Obstacle Course Building an obstacle course is a great way to get kids outside and away from the TV. An obstacle course would be perfect for playdates or even birthday parties! Here are some fun ideas to get you started: Starting Line: Bunny Hop to Station 2 Station 2: Crawl through a cardboard box "tunnel" Station 3: Hula hoop 10 times Station 4: Jump on a mini trampoline 10 times Station 5: Kids have limbo under a broomstick or some rope Station 6: Make it across the balance beam (2 x 4 piece of wood) Station 7: Bean Bag Toss Station 8: Jump rope 10 times Station 9: Lay a wooden ladder flat on the grown and have the kids scamper through each rung (make sure the ladder is sanded to prevent splinters). Station 10: Kids are handed three sheets of newspaper and must place one beneath every step they take. Finish Line: Place a balloon on a chair and have them sit on it until it pops. Have the kids go one-by-one to be safe, but make sure you time them. The one with the best time wins!