Quick Easy Play Ideas
I remember starting my parenting journey feeling SO lost on how to entertain and teach my daughter
It didn’t matter that I was a teacher or had been around children before ... it was all new and daunting when your sleep deprived and running on caffeine
I got so lost in the minefield of the next play idea and trying everything to keep up with everyone just trying to be a ‘good’ Ma. Add a second child into the mix and it is the hot mess express here.
Play ideas can be time consuming and sometimes it feels like they don’t even get touched but Mamas when a play idea works it’s magical. When it works and I get to drink a hot coffee, in somewhat quiet and not being touched, I am in heaven.
But lately with two littles to chase, a change in house and a continued pandemic, some tricks no long work. Some play ideas that use to lead to heaps of play only got seconds of engagement and some ideas remained untouched completely.
It is easy to get caught up thinking we need to buy more, set up more and do more. Sometimes the insta feed paints a picture of perfect play set ups that lead to hours to play BUT reality ...
Simple play is enough
Simple set ups is all that is needed
Simple is effective for learning
Simple play encourages independent play
What we as parents need to remember is that play is the work of the child; Play is natural. Yet, I know we all have struggles with play, they are here too. What’s your biggest struggle with play in your house?
the mess
the “I’m bored” cries
persistence
time
space
inspiration
something else?
This week, I am getting back on the blog and rounding up some amazing play ideas from my week guest judging Quick and Easy Play over on Instagram with Snippets of Play. I also have provided some past blogs if you are still searching for ideas.
12 simple play ideas (featuring some of my favourite play accounts!)
If it is independent play you are searching for check out my blog here or my ebook.
Pom Pom Patterning
Create patterns for your child to copy and recreate using pom poms. This idea is from Shannen from Elements of Play. To create the pattern cards, Shannen printed these but you can also create these with textas or dot stickers. To simplify children can match using their hands instead of tongs or place the pom poms straight onto the card.
DIY Grasping Guitar
This Kmart DIY from Colour Me Kara, is genius! Placing rubber bands over a baking tray is a simplified guitar, different thickness in rubber bands will produce different sounds.
Then you can add any toy inside for your child to grab and grasp. Be mindful of the size of the items you use for choking hazards but nothing is off limits here, consider balls, pom poms, animal figurines or even toy cars.
Sponge Stamping
The Joyful Learner is repurposing in this stamping activity. Not only has she used an egg carton lid to contain the paint … genius! But also used the end of a pool noodle to create a stamp.
Other stamp options from around the home, plastic shapes (I use mine from my shape sorter), leaves, sponges or toilet rolls.
Leaf Hunt
Want a treasure trove of simple play ideas be sure to check out, G’day Play . Lisa used the picture book “We’re going on a leaf hunt” as a springboard not only for discussion but also for play.
This book allows children to link to the world around them and how the leaves change colour throughout the seasons and the life cycle of the tree.
Even without the book, this activity is as easy as heading outside and collecting a range of different leaves. Extend this through discussing the differences in the leaves, sorting them, drawing them or create a sensory bag putting them into a zip lock bag.
Rainbow Water Play
Rainbow puddles, colour mixing, splashing, scooping, pouring, filling and emptying… it couldn’t be more fun really! Jess from Learn and Bloom is a genius when it comes to simple play ideas and this is one of my favourites. Grab random containers from around your house, add coloured water and watch the magic happen. You can add some measuring cups, mixing spoons and any random items from your kitchen. This is so open ended and open to possibilities but don’t be surprised if your child sits in the water!
Playdough Shape Exploration
Sheryl from Cardboard Kiddo created a shape and size board to explore using playdough. This is amazing as its as simple as card, black marker and then cover in contact for make it non-stick. Don’t have contact? Try paper and laminate it or place the card in a large zip lock bag. What is amazing about this set up is there is so many ways for children to engage and that they can explore based on their interests and for Kiddo that was cutting the playdough with scissors.
