Old Fashioned Play

Make Memories with the Grands!

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In this time in history grandparents are providing more care then ever for grandchildren. Whether it is daily care or setting aside a few days in the summer for time together, we will create life long memories with our grandchildren. I have a friend who has her grandchildren over for a few days during the summer. She calls it Grammy Camp.  I love the photos and stories she shares! Here are some ways that we can make the most of our time with grands:

Consider local activities and options for activities

My friend’s primary goal is for them to have time together. What is your goal? Make a list of local places to go, games, work projects or chores, arts and crafts, shopping and ask the grands what they want to do. Pre-prepped craft boxes can be bought on Amazon, the dollar store, or at Walmart.  They save prep time and all supplies are provided. However, never underestimate the power of play dough, like these play dough monsters or a sensory box of rice, such as this one for your littles.

Shopping is part of the Grammy Camp tradition. She gives them money for shopping in individual decorated envelopes.  She described that it is fun to see them shop, select, and pay for the items. What a wonderful time to practice these life skills!

Make a simple but flexible schedule

A daily routine helps young children as it provides stability and predictability. Whether or not children are in your home for a day or a few days, set a routine. For example: wake-up, have breakfast, get ready for the day, go to a park, have lunch, quiet time, afternoon adventure, supper, games/crafts, story time, then bed.

At my friend’s Grammy Camp she lets the teenagers have time to sleep-in, but when she has the littles, they have more structure. She has them set their own rules and says its fun to see what they say.

Food. The Menu.

Planning food ahead is so helpful. Talk to your grands and parents and see what they like and how much they are able to help in the kitchen.  Just having a standard breakfast for all mornings might work better than lots of choices. At Grammy Camp the kiddos help set the menu with lots of veggies and fruit included. They also help with cooking and clean-up depending on their ages. Again, what an awesome opportunity for reinforcing important daily skills!

Take photos! 

It’s easy to take photos these days. Take them of the grands and be sure that you get into the pictures too.  Have them printed or put into a photo book. There are so many options for photo books: Walgreens, Chatbook, Shutterfly, and more. There are very few pictures of me and my grandparents. I wish I had photos of us. Your grandchildren will want photos of you too!

Make memories together!

The purpose of this post is to encourage you to spend time with the children in your life…grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Whether you have an afternoon or five days together, make a plan with simplicity and flexibility in mind. Spend time together and have fun as you make some awesome memories!

 

Rice Play – Simple Play

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Simple sensory play with rice

Playing in rice. Sometimes it is the simplest play that is the most intriguing to our kids. We needed a different activity at our house one afternoon.  I threw about 4 cups of rice into a 13X9 inch pan, grabbed a couple of measuring cups, a measuring spoon, and a scoop took it outside on a cheap quilt where Ruby played and played. It was just simple, wonderful play.

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A Log Walk – An Outdoor Play Area

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Log Walk - learning balance and motor skills

My husband, Doug, is a creative builder. He found a log and made this cool log walk for our granddaughter. I grabbed my camera so I could share the process with you. It really isn’t that hard if you have the equipment or someone to do the cutting for you. This outdoor play area cost us nothing except the energy to gather the supplies. Our city produces the mulch from trees trimmings and gives it away for free.

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Baby Play with Strips of Fabric

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Baby Play - Pull fabric strips from a wipe box Last night our 6 month old grandbaby, Ruby, stopped by for a visit. Baby play is so simple and uncomplicated, and on this evening we played with strips of fabric The simplest items for play are truly the best. I had cut some strips from fat quarters of fabric, then pinked the edges with pinking shears. We stuffed these into a wipes box for her to pull from the box.

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DIY Drinking Straw Bracelet – a craft for a crowd

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DIY Straw Bracelet - crafts for crowdsThis DIY drinking straw bracelet is an easy and inexpensive craft that would work well for a crowd, such as a classroom or community event.  These could also be used as gifts that kids can make for others. They can be made by preschoolers to elementary school age kids and up. They can be simple or the kids can create a pattern using different colors and sizes of straws.

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The Art Box

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Having a box of art supplies on hand and ready for play enhances creativity in children…and adults! Open-ended art activities support fine motor development, cognitive skills and, of course, creativity.  It builds self-confidence and fosters a child’s sense of discovery.

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The Beach – Have fun in the Sun!

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The beach is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy spending time with your family. We live hundreds of miles from any coastline so I relish every moment at the beach…the sun, surf, and the sand are rejuvenating.  You might enjoy these fun beach activities:

Work together to build a sandcastle.

Play ball.

Write your name in the sand, in a very big way!

Hunt for shells in the surf.

Try to catch them (or take a picture) before they work their way under the sand as the water swishes over them.

Watch and listen to the birds.

The way the sunlight sparkles across the water is beautiful! Relax and enjoy.

If you are out in the morning or evening, notice how you can play with shadow.

Bond with the the grandkids,

and the family…

Watch your sandcastle be swept away by the surf.

Here is our oasis and bit of shade on a very hot beach.

We enjoyed every refreshing moment in Galveston, Texas. Thanks ya’ll!

Where is your favorite beach?

What is your favorite beach activity?

We are pleased to be linked to these sunny sites:

Road Trip!! Activities for Kids

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Summer is here and so is the time for the family road trip!!!

Traveling on the road with children, grandchildren, young friends, and favorite nieces and nephews can be fun and challenging. Having mini DVD players, games on the phone or iPad are awesome, but you if want to expand horizons a bit beyond screen time; here are some ideas and resources for your next road trip.

Road Trip! Fun, sanity saving activities for kids and grown-ups

Fun, sanity saving road trip ideas:

Music

Take your’ child’s favorite music CDs or load up your phone or the the MP3 player with kid’s music. In the baby area of our Walmart there is a display of children’s CDs with a listening center so you can listen to them before you buy. Don’t forget lullabies for quiet times and classic nursery rhymes too.

Books

Go to the library and check out books that are new and different. Also get books that describe your destination and activities.

Printable Games

Mom’s Minivan has printable games that are very fun! You can slip them into a sheet protector and play using dry erase markers so they can be used again. I was totally impressed with this website. Here are examples of Bingo, a scavenger hunt, and tic-tac-toe:

Here’s another great road trip bingo printable that is really cute too.

Create a binder for your child

Be organized. Games that have been printed can be put into a folder or 3 ring binder. Depending on your children you might want to have access to the binder and supplies to give to them as needed. However, another option is to give each child their own binder with the activities they enjoy. The binder gives them a place to write and a place for paper, a packet of crayons, pencils, stencils, and small activity books (all shown below are from Walmart). A pencil holder that you can snap into a 3 ring binder works very well to keep things together.

Teach your child to use a map or map app

Get a map, atlas, or a map app that your older kids can use. You can purchase maps that are laminated or you can print one from the internet. Highlight the route, mark stops and sights, then slide them into a sheet protector and put into their binder.They can follow the route of the trip which is a great way to teach map reading skills. Trust me…when they leave home for college you want them to be able to read a map even if they have a smart phone!

Eight Amazing Quick Tips

1) Know some classic road trip games like these.

2) Be prepared with a new book or small toy (or a toy or book they haven’t seen in a while) to whip out when boredom really arises.

3) Know where rest stops and parks are located. Pack a Frisbee or ball so that the kids can play when they have the opportunity.

4) Change seating arrangements. Sit in the back so you can read together, talk about the sights, snuggle and share some cheerios.

5) If you have babies and young toddlers consider traveling at night if possible. Just be sure that you are rested and can safely drive at night. Be safe!

6) Here are some preschool apps for your iPhone or iTouch.  They are from 1+1+1=1 an awesome tot and preschool resource!

7) If you are grandparents or other loved ones traveling with your favorite little folks, make sure you know favorite foods and routines.

8) Keep track of your child’s blankie, binkie, or any other favorites!

I left my daughter’s ‘moe’ (beloved blanket) at Grandma’s and could find nothing that substituted for it. Everything was pushed away with a tearful “no Moe!” Feel free to learn from our mistake. 🙂

Most importantly ~ keep a sense of humor and have fun together!

What is your favorite traveling tip, resource, or activity?

Road Trip Activities for Kids