Inside Fun and Imaginative Play

Children of all ages love to make a special cozy place to play. Outside, kids fashion huts or set up tents.  On a cold, snowy or rainy day when the little ones need to be inside, they can have hours of fun with  a little help from you.  With just a few things from around the house, you can help them set up a little box train, tent or hideaway place.

Materials you will need:

Cardboard boxes of various sizes, paper plate, markers, sofa cushions, pillows, saw horses(optional), 2 chairs or a card table, snacks, flashlight

What to do:

For a quiet activity, spread a big sheet over the chairs or card table or saw horses.  Inside the tent, let your children make a little room with their favorite blanket, pillow and books or toys.  Sometimes, little kids can fit into a tunnel or hut made just with sofa cushions placed against a solid surface.  Send in a non sticky snack like crackers or cheerios. A flashlight adds extra fun.

  For a more active time, use cardboard boxes to make a play train.  The boxes can vary in size as long as your child can sit in them.  Each box is a different car.  Markers can be used to draw on wheels and lights for the engine.  A paper plate can be made into a steering wheel.  Kids love to take turns being the engineer and passengers. Maybe they will take their toys for a ride.

What else can I do?

         Train books like “The Little Engine that Could” will be fun to read together.  Some children may like to pretend they are the conductor, collecting money and giving tickets.  Support the activity by helping to pretend and by carrying on a conversation, especially if there is only one child.  Don’t forget to take some pictures so that the activities can  be shared  with others later.  (You can also teach some basic math concepts by counting the boxes, the wheels or by comparing the size of the boxes.)

How Will This Help My Child?
      

Reading together is always a wonderful activity.  Imaginative play builds vocabulary, problem solving and communication skills. Children playing in the tent are learning to control their environment, problem solving, as well as developing an appreciation of quiet activities.  Reading and dramatic play activities should always be done with the TV OFF.  It is too hard for children to use their imaginations when the television is distracting them.

Look for more activities like these online at Grandparents Teach, Too and at WNMU Public Radio Learning through the Seasons Podcasts 

Photo, Dizzy's Castle: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dizzyscastle/7797869068/
Photo, Build a Fort: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lemon/8350451041/sizes/z/in/photostream/