Made For Play
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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Exploring STEM Concepts Through Train & Car Play
Want a fun way to introduce your preschooler to STEM concepts (science, technology, engineering, and math)? Look no further than their toy train set! From early experiments with motion and force to building tracks and roads to counting and sorting, train and car toys offer a wealth of stem activities for preschoolers and toddlers. So hop on board and explore how you can ignite your child's curiosity while having a blast together. Understanding Motion and Forces Ever watched your child push a toy train or car across the floor over and over, marveling at how it moves? They’re already experimenting with basic physics concepts like motion, speed, and direction. You can support their curiosity by helping them experiment with different surfaces and inclines to observe how they affect the motion of the toy.Take it up a notch by asking questions and having them form hypotheses: “Which one do you think will make it down the slide first? The big truck or the little car?” “What could we do to make them go faster?” “What if we try to roll them over the carpet?” This encourages their analytical thinking but also sets the stage for understanding how varying forces can impact the speed and direction of an object's movement. Building and Designing Tracks and Roads One of the many benefits of playing with toy trains – other than all the fun!– is that it can help your kiddo discover a love for engineering and design. As your child experiments with different track layouts or road configurations, they’re fostering their own creativity and problem-solving skills, figuring out how to connect pieces and keep their trains and cars on track through all the twists and turns. As they envision a track and bring it to life through trial and error, they just might find that they love the challenge and sense of accomplishment that come with a successful engineering feat! Counting and Measuring with Trains and Cars Who says kids don’t like math? You can sneak in lessons on basic math skills with your kiddo’s trains and cars – and they’ll just think they’re having fun! You could ask them to build a track with 10 pieces or to count the number of cars they have on the road.To sneak in some measurement learning, try tasks like "Can you find something that's as long as this train?" or "Let's measure how far the car can travel in one push." These activities introduce them to concepts of length, distance, and comparison, and most importantly, they’re fun! Sorting and Comparing Sorting is actually an essential pre-math skill – and one of the easiest ways you can practice stem for preschoolers! And nothing makes it more fun for your kid than using their favorite toys! Ask your child to sort the vehicles by color, and keep it fun by making it a part of the game. For example, you can pretend that the red cars need to line up by color for a parade! Once sorting by color is easy, you can have your child move on to more challenging tasks like lining cars up from smallest to biggest.Introducing STEM concepts into your child's playtime doesn't have to be daunting – and if you have toy trains or cars handy, you already have the perfect tools to do it! Remember, the key to teaching STEM to preschoolers is to keep it light, interactive, and age-appropriate. As you build twisting train tracks and race toy cars, you’re making memories with your child and helping them discover a love for STEM subjects. Ready to hop aboard the STEM Express with your little engineer? From elaborate cityscapes to simple starter sets, we have a train set for every age and skill level! Shop our full line of train sets and activity tables, or check out our Top Train Set Picks for specific suggestions to match your budget and your child’s interests.
Building Confidence and Creativity Through Outdoor Play
As parents, we’re always keeping tabs on our kids’ developmental milestones and looking for ways to support their growth. From snuggling up with a stack of library books to trips to the children’s museum, there are a ton of ways to support our little ones as they learn and grow. But one activity that stands out from the rest is outdoor play. Time in the outdoors not only provides new and exciting ways to play but also offers valuable opportunities for building confidence and fostering creativity. In this post, we’re diving into the benefits of outdoor play for our kids’ self-confidence and creativity and providing tips for maximizing your family’s outdoor playtime! Benefits of Outdoor Play for Confidence Open-ended, child-led outdoor play provides endless opportunities for children to boost their confidence levels. Why? Outdoor environments are never quite as predictable as indoor play spaces. From dealing with the weather to climbing trees, when kids play outside, they encounter new challenges and learn to overcome them. Whether it's finishing a hike, discovering a new-to-them plant or insect, or learning to ride a bike, each achievement builds their sense of confidence. Specifically, here are a few of the key ways outdoor play helps our kiddos feel competent and confident: Physical Competence Outdoor play is critical for helping kids develop gross motor skills, strength, and coordination. As our littles master activities like running and jumping, they gain confidence in their physical abilities and become more willing to try new things… like climbing, hanging, and somersaulting. While babies and toddlers can get plenty of gross motor practice indoors as they learn to walk or try to get on the couch, the older kids get, the more they need outdoor spaces that let them move in a variety of ways. From wide open spaces that are perfect for sprinting to trees and playsets that are great for climbing, there truly is no replacement for the great outdoors when it comes to supporting your child’s physical development. Risk Assessment By now, you’ve probably heard about the benefits of risky play. And if you’re like most of us, you likely fall into one of two camps: you’re all in on risk-taking play…orrrr you shudder at the thought. If you’re in the latter camp, don’t worry. Letting your kids take risks doesn’t mean you leave them unsupervised or let them take inappropriate risks that could result in major injuries. Instead, it’s all about giving them the chance to assess situations and discover their own limits. Outdoor play is one of the best ways we can offer these opportunities. When children engage in activities such as climbing or balancing, they learn to evaluate their abilities and make decisions based on their own judgment. This process enhances their problem-solving skills and self-confidence, and because they’re more aware of their own limits, they’re more likely to self-regulate and make safe choices as they gain more independence. Independence Speaking of independence…outdoor play is great for helping your child become a little more self-sufficient. As they venture into nature (with you nearby, of course) or engage in group play at the park, they learn to rely on themselves, make decisions, and solve problems independently. These experiences contribute to their sense of autonomy and confidence in their decision-making abilities. Nurturing Creativity Through Outdoor Play From enchanted forests to dragon lairs hidden deep in the mountains, our favorite fairy tales are nearly always set, at least in part, in nature. And there’s good reason for that! After all, it’s easier to believe in magic when we’re staring at the sun setting over the ocean or watching the fireflies light up the forest at dusk, right? Without getting too sentimental here, we do want to drive home the point that nature helps grow our kids’ sense of beauty and wonder… and in the process inspires their creativity. Plus, the open-ended nature of outdoor environments provides endless possibilities for imaginative play and creative exploration. Here's how outdoor play stimulates creativity: Natural Inspiration The beauty of nature serves as an abundant source of inspiration for children (and adults too!) From observing plants and animals to discovering different textures and colors, the outdoor environment sparks their curiosity and encourages imaginative thinking. And don’t feel like you need to live in a National Geographic-worthy location to help your kids appreciate nature. Mountains and canyons are awesome, but to your kids, the dandelions and beetles in your own backyard are pretty cool too. Role-Playing and Pretend Play Remember what we said about fairytales? Chances are your kiddo already loves to engage in pretend play. Outdoor settings can help foster that creativity even more, inspiring new ways to role-play and pretend. Sensory Stimulation If making DIY sensory bins isn’t your thing, don’t worry – you can provide just as much sensory play simply by taking your kids outside! They can feel the wind, smell the fragrance of flowers, hear the chirping of birds, and touch various natural elements. This sensory stimulation enhances their cognitive development, their natural curiosity, and their imagination. Tips for Maximizing Outdoor Play Experiences While having the right outdoor play equipment is important, it's equally crucial to maximize the overall outdoor play experience. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your child's outdoor playtime: Set Aside Regular Outdoor Play Time Try to establish a routine that includes dedicated outdoor playtime. We know – easier said than done. But by making it a regular part of your kiddo’s schedule, you’ll ensure they get the outdoor time they need to play, expend energy, and explore. Take a look at your schedule and see if there’s room to cut back on screen time or even clubs and classes if your child is enrolled in several organized activities. And remember that something is always better than nothing – even 15-20 minutes in the backyard benefits your child! Encourage Unstructured Play Structured play, like organized sports or camps, has its place, but unstructured, child-led play is what really helps kids grow in independence and confidence. This type of play encourages them to follow their own interests, be creative, and develop problem-solving skills independently. So take a trip to the park and let your child make new friends, or try to find local playgroups that meet up specifically for child-led play. Explore Natural Environments Venture beyond the playground, and look up some local state or city parks, forests, nature trails, or beaches to explore the wonders of nature. These settings can be a nice change of pace from your usual park spots and may help your child discover new interests! Join in the Fun If you really want to include more outdoor play in your routine, it needs to be fun for you too! Join in and play chase, go for a bike ride, or have a picnic together. Your involvement not only strengthens your bond with your child but also encourages them to explore new activities with confidence. Embrace Messy Play Outdoor play often involves getting a little messy, and that's perfectly fine! Encourage activities like splashing in puddles, digging in the dirt, or playing with sand. These experiences provide sensory stimulation and allow children to explore their world freely. Make Your Yard Play-friendly Getting out the door with kids can be tough, so having outdoor play opportunities at home is super helpful for the days when an outing just isn’t going to happen. Try to include a few different play opportunities in your own backyard. Smaller outdoor toys like balls, hula hoops, jump ropes, and bug-catching kits are all great for encouraging active play and exploration. But if you’re hoping to truly transform your yard into an inviting, exciting playable paradise, you’ll want to add some larger, permanent structures like mud kitchens, sandboxes, swing sets, and playhouses. At KidKraft, we specialize in high-quality wooden outdoor toys that help your kids want to spend more time outside and encourage different types of play from active play to sensory play to imaginative play.Outdoor play is a powerful tool for fostering our children’s development. By providing opportunities for outdoor play, you help spark your kiddos’ sense of wonder and curiosity, help them learn through rich experiences, and help their confidence and creativity flourish!Start creating your backyard play space today, and shop KidKraft’s line of outdoor playsets, sandboxes, climbers, and more!
The Connection Between Playtime and Attention Span in Children
Our kids’ attention spans can be a real mystery at times. One minute, we’re super impressed by their laser-like focus on that Lego tower they’re building. And the next, we swear they have the attention span of a goldfish as they literally forget to put pants on. In this post, we’ll try to clear up at least a little bit of that mystery and explore how we can help our children grow in focus and attention through their favorite thing: play! Understanding Attention Span in Children Attention span refers to the ability to concentrate and sustain focus on a task or activity. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, “a normal attention span is 3 to 5 minutes per a child's year of age.” In other words, a two-year-old can usually focus on a task for 6-10 minutes at a time; a three-year-old for 9-15 minutes, and so on.But it’s important to remember that these ranges are only estimates, and your child’s attention is influenced by a variety of factors, including hunger, tiredness, how much physical activity they’ve had, their own interest in the task at hand, and the environment around them. Rather than a set-in-stone time frame, it’s more helpful to think of your child’s attention span as a flexible range that can vary depending on the current circumstances.You’ve likely seen this firsthand! When your little one is well-rested, has a full tummy, and has had plenty of time running around outside, they can give impressive focus to an engaging task like doing a puzzle or building a block tower. But when they’re sleepy, hungry, and have been cooped up on a rainy day? They may have very little ability to focus on that very same task. In general, your child’s attention span will increase on its own over time, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help our children grow in this area. By being intentional about our home environment, our kids’ schedules, and plenty of playtime, we can help set them up for success! The Role of Playtime in Child Development Scientists are still exploring exactly how play develops kids’ attention. We do know that play is critical for all aspects of a child's development, including physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth. It fosters creativity, imagination, problem-solving skills, and communication abilities. And as these abilities grow, so do kids’ attention spans.Play allows children to experiment, explore, and make sense of the world around them. They learn to regulate their emotions, interact with peers and adults, solve problems, create new things, and discover their own individual interests. For a deeper dive into all the ways play drives development, check out our Child Development series. Research Studies on the Connection Between Playtime and Attention Span So what does the science have to say about play and attention? Unsurprisingly, research backs up what parents and teachers observe on their own every day: opportunities for play improve kids’ attention span on other tasks later. Physical play, in particular, seems to boost kids’ ability to focus. This 2021 study found that kids who got more physical activity had better self-regulation and more “cognitive readiness” for preschool, both of which are critical factors for attention and focus. And many studies have found that kids have better classroom behavior and more attention for academic tasks after recess or “brain breaks” that include physical play.It’s also well-documented now that excessive screen time negatively impacts children’s attention spans. Engaging kids in play rather than screen-centered activities is a great way to protect them from the negative effects of screen time. Strategies to Enhance Attention Span Through Playtime: Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers So, how can parents and caregivers use that research in their day-to-day life? These practical tips will help you create an environment and routine that prioritizes play and supports kids’ focus and attention span! Get moving! Research confirms what we know intuitively: kids are made to move! Getting plenty of physical activity and movement helps enhance kids’ attention span for less-active tasks later. Integrate active play into your daily routine, preferably outdoors whenever possible. Our 5 Tips to Get Kids Outdoors and Active Play Ideas can help! Limit screen time Along with physical activity, limiting screen time may be the most important thing we can do for our kids’ attention spans. We love the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Family Media Plan Tool . It helps you identify your goals and craft a media plan that works for your family! Encourage open-ended play We know that physical play is critical, but other types of play help kids develop focus and attention too! Provide children with toys and imaginative and creative play. Open-ended play allows children to engage in self-directed activities, encouraging them to focus, problem-solve, and sustain attention. Play games that require focus Engage children in games that require concentration, memory, and attention to detail. Examples include memory games, puzzles, and board games that involve strategy and problem-solving. Create a play-friendly environment Minimizing clutter and other distractions can help kids focus on their play for longer periods of time. By simplifying and providing a few quality toys, you can help your kiddo focus on one activity at a time. Prioritize playtime It sounds simple, but between errands, scheduled activities, preschool, and more, it can be tough to make play a priority. Be mindful of how much time your child spends in structured activities (like school, organized sports, clubs, etc.) and set aside dedicated time for unstructured play, both indoors and outdoors. Final thoughts Will increasing playtime suddenly increase your child’s attention span by hours? Nope. Will it support their overall development and gradually improve their attention span over time? Absolutely. By making sure our kids get adequate unstructured playtime, especially active play outdoors, we give them the breaks they need to regulate, reset, and give focused attention to other tasks later. We can also help them out by minimizing screen time and fostering other types of play instead.Create an engaging play environment at your house with our selection of open-ended toys. Use our Shop by Skill page to find toys geared towards active and outdoor play, cognitive play, imaginative play, and more!
Sustainable Toys for Sustainable Living: Let's Play the Eco-Friendly Way!
We all want to make choices that are not only fun for our little ones but gentle on the planet. But how do you avoid a house full of cheap plastic toys destined for a landfill when these products practically dominate the toy aisles? To help you make more earth-friendly choices for your household, we’re diving into all things sustainable toys: what they are, why they’re good for your kids, and how to spot them when you’re shopping! Understanding Sustainable Toys So what exactly makes a toy sustainable? There are a few things to look for: First and foremost, will the toy last? High-quality, durable toys can last for many stages of your child’s life and be re-used by younger siblings, reducing the number of toys you buy. (More on this below!)Secondly, what is the toy made of? Sustainable toys are crafted from responsibly sourced materials, often utilizing renewable resources and recycled or recyclable materials. Educational and Developmental Aspects of Sustainable Toys It's never too early to start teaching our children about the importance of taking care of our planet. Sustainable toys provide a fantastic platform to introduce environmental concepts and nurture a love for nature. As they play, we can engage them in conversations about conservation and the importance of protecting our environment. Sustainable outdoor toys or toys that emphasize a love of nature like the Lil’ Green World Collection make these conversations even easier!Sustainable toys are often developmentally-friendly toys as well. Why? Toys that are meant to last and grow with your child are usually geared toward child-led play, the kind that supports kids’ creativity and cognitive development. This is a far cry from gimmicky toys that simply entertain rather than engage children in meaningful play. Longevity and Durability We've all seen those flimsy, break-apart toys that barely survive a single play session. Sustainable toys are meant to be just the opposite! Sustainable toys are made from top-notch materials, and designed to endure even the most rambunctious play sessions. Also, consider how long your child will remain interested in the toy. If it’s made from eco-friendly materials but will only be played with a few times before it gets thrown away, it’s still wasteful. Open-ended toys that can grow with kids are the way to go – they don’t need to be replaced as often and are less likely to end up in a landfill.And that means we save money in the long run and give the planet a high-five at the same time! Best Practices for Choosing Sustainable Toys: So how do you find said magical, eco-friendly, long-lasting toys? Keep these principles in mind as you shop and research brands, and you’ll end up with high-quality toys that are easy on the planet: Go for toys made from renewable or recycled materials: Look out for toys crafted from natural rubber, cotton, and responsibly sourced wood, like bamboo or FSC-certified wood. They’re extremely durable and help protect our planet’s beautiful forests. Win-win, right? Check for non-toxic and eco-friendly materials: Safety first! Opt for toys that use low-VOC, non-toxic paints and finishes, because, let’s be honest, our little explorers will definitely lick them at some point. You’ll be looking out for the health of the planet too as VOCs can be a major contributor of greenhouse gasses. Choose quality over quantity: Want to minimize clutter, spark your child’s imagination, and stay eco-friendly by consuming less? Open-ended toys made from high-quality materials are the answer… because buying less is always the most eco-friendly choice. Toys like building blocks, art supplies, and pretend play props are the superheroes of imaginative play. They offer endless possibilities for play because they’re powered by our kids’ imaginations – not by gimmicky effects– so your kids can turn just a few toys into endless fun. And when you choose open-ended toys made from durable materials, you won’t need constant toy replacements. That’s a win for eco-friendly entertainment! Support brands committed to sustainability: Support the brands that are doing their part for the planet. Look out for companies that are committed to quality and are transparent about their materials. Eco-Friendly Toy Disposal We can’t talk about sustainable toys without talking about what happens when our little ones outgrow them. Let's explore a few methods that give our kids’ beloved toys a second chance at life! Toy Swaps: Try organizing a toy swap event with other parents in your community! It's like a fun playdate with a sustainable twist. Everyone brings toys their children no longer play with and swaps them for something “new” and exciting. It's a win-win: your child gets a new toy to enjoy, and you reduce waste by giving toys a fresh home. Donating: When your child has outgrown a toy, consider donating it to a local charity, shelter, or thrift store. Many organizations gladly accept gently used toys and distribute them to families in need. Not only does this reduce waste, but it also brings joy to other children who may not have access to new toys. Recycling: When it's time to bid farewell to a toy, check if it can be recycled. Some plastics, cardboard, and other recyclable materials can be sorted and sent off to recycling centers. Remember to check your local recycling guidelines – it’s a simple step that makes a big difference! Passing Down: Toys that are truly special (and especially durable) can be saved and passed down as heirlooms to younger family members. (One caveat here: Saving special toys now for future generations is awesome, but be extremely careful about giving heirlooms and antique toys to your children. Many don’t meet modern safety standards and may have high levels of lead, cadmium, phthalates, flame retardants, and other hazardous substances). The Takeaways We can make choices that prioritize our planet while creating magical memories for our little ones. When we prioritize high-quality, long-lasting toys that can grow with our child, we’ll consume less and leave a smaller carbon footprint in the process. At KidKraft, we create toys that are durable enough to last through the toughest toddler treatment and open-ended enough to grow with them through the school years. From our safe, non-toxic paints and finishes to our sturdy wood constructions, KidKraft toys minimize the plastic, maximize the fun, and will stick around for years to come! Shop our collection of high-quality and long-lasting toys today!
From Sandcastles to Science Experiments: A Summer of Learning and Play
Pre school? Check. Soccer practice? Check. Piano lessons? Check. Ample amounts of unstructured play time? Ummm…No one wants their kid to suffer from the summer slide – the term for the loss of learning that often occurs over the summer break. At the same time, no one wants to be a summer fun-sucker either, filling up the break with flashcards and worksheets. Fortunately, there are better ways to keep your kiddos learning over the summer – in ways that just feel like play! Building Sandcastles It’s one of those summer rites of passage – and it’s full of opportunities to learn! Constructive play (i.e. building things!) is always a brain-boosting activity that supports cognitive development. But building sandcastles is extra special. For one thing, your kids don’t get to do it every day, so the novelty factor will have them fully engaged! It’s also great for sensory play and problem-solving, as your kids experiment with different ratios of water and gritty sand, getting that goopy mix just right. Depending on your kiddo’s age and interest, you can talk about states of matter, ocean life, 3D shapes, and math concepts as you dig, mix, build, and decorate together. Ideally, you’ll make it out to the beach for some sandcastle building, but on the other days, the backyard sandbox works great too! Exploring Nature Another thing the beach is great for? Cultivating a love of nature. If a beach isn’t exactly accessible (we see you, central states), rest assured there are plenty of opportunities to appreciate nature no matter where you are. If you’re having trouble finding spots for your budding naturalist, try these tips: Look up state parks in your area – bonus if they participate in the Kids in Parks program! Join local parent groups geared toward hiking and the outdoors. Facebook groups, Hike It Baby, and local “mom” websites often have great recommendations for hidden gems. Make the most of the nature you have. You don’t need to be fully immersed in the wilderness to appreciate nature. Small, local parks and your own front yard still have plenty to offer. No matter where you are, make nature time more fun by identifying local plants and animals and starting a naturalist of feathers, flowers, seeds, etc. You can usually find a field guide for local wildlife and plants for around $15. The Nature Pen Pal Exchange is a great way to get kids excited about collecting and identifying! They’ll get a penpal from another part of the country and can trade small natural “treasures” from their collections through the mail!If you still need a few more ideas, check out the Super Simple Summer Bucket List from 1000 Hours Outside! Science Experiments Go beyond the baking soda volcano this summer with a few summer-themed science experiments! These ideas are all simple, inexpensive, and fun! Melting Ice: Explore the states of matter by observing the melting process of ice. Let your kids experiment with different conditions (direct sun, shade, time of day, etc.) and record the time it takes for the ice to melt. Solar Oven: Harness the power of the sun to create a solar oven! Help your kids build a simple oven using a cardboard box, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, and tape. Then, let them melt some marshmallows and snack on some s’mores! Rainbow in a Jar: With a little food coloring and liquids of various densities (honey, dish soap, rubbing alcohol, etc.), you can layer the colors of the rainbow in a jar and discuss density and sinking! DIY Clouds: Fill a glass jar with warm water and add a few drops of liquid food coloring. Place an ice cube on top of the jar and watch as a cloud forms inside! Explain the science behind it - the warm water vaporizes, rises, and cools upon contact with the ice cube, forming a cloud. Beach Erosion: Discover how waves can shape coastlines by simulating beach erosion. Create a mini beach using a tray filled with sand. Pour water into the tray, gently rock it back and forth to create waves, and observe how the waves wash away the sand. Solar Prints: Make use of that summer sun with solar prints! Arrange various objects like leaves, flowers, or small toys on light-sensitive paper. Leave the paper under direct sunlight for a few minutes, then rinse it with water. Watch as the areas exposed to sunlight create beautiful prints while the covered areas remain white. Arts and Crafts Arts and crafts are more than a way to pass the time. They make sure your child’s fine motor skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity stay in tip-top shape over the summer! Plus, they’re a fun way to introduce or reinforce other concepts you’re learning about. These simple summer-themed crafts are a great place to start! Nature Collage: Make the most of all that outdoor collection with a nature collage! Back at home, your little artists can use leaves, wild flowers, and small sticks to create beautiful collages on paper or cardboard. Sand Art: Get ready to hit the beach without leaving your backyard! Hand your kiddos colored sand, funnels, and empty bottles or jars, and let them layer the sand into their own patterns and designs. Seashell Painting: Channel your inner beachcomber and collect some seashells. If you feel daring, bust out the acrylic paints, glitter, and sequins… or still with washable tempera paints if your kids aren’t ready for the more permanent stuff. Paper Fans: Teach your kids how to fold and decorate their very own paper fans using cardstock paper, popsicle sticks, and decorations. They may not truly beat the summer heat, but hopefully the kids will be so distracted waving their fans around, they won’t even notice the sweat. Sun & Earth Models: Teach your kids about why it’s so much warmer in the summer with some simple sun and earth models! Help your kids turn plain paper plates into happy sun faces and colorful planet Earths. Then, model how the earth moves closer to the sun in the summer months. If you want to teach them about the earth spinning on its axis too, they can paint 3D styrofoam balls from the craft store! Windsocks: Catch a summer breeze with some homemade windsocks! Colored construction paper, tape, markers, and streamers, are all you need. They can decorate them, cut out shapes, and attach streamers for a fabulous flowy tail. Beach-themed Sensory Bottles: Fill clear plastic bottles with sand, small seashells, and tiny ocean-themed toys. Add water and a few drops of blue food coloring to create an ocean effect. Seal those lids tight, and voila! Your kids can shake and marvel at their very own mini beach getaway. Reading and Writing We can’t stress this enough: local libraries are awesome! If you don’t have a card, you’re sleeping on one of the best ways to inspire your child’s love for reading. Check to see if your local branch has a summer reading challenge! Usually, kids hit certain reading goals, and get cool prizes to local spots (think free tickets to art museums, vouchers for kid-friendly restaurants, etc.) If your child can already read independently, try creating a kid-friendly reading nook to encourage them to read on their own too! For writing, keep it age appropriate and fun! Kids who are just beginning to spell and write will have fun with a set of alphabet refrigerator magnets. For handwriting and fine motor skills, easels keep the practice fun and pressure-free. Kids who can already print and craft sentences will love captioning funny pictures you find or drawing and illustrating their own comic books.Summer slide? Not around here – unless you mean the slide on the swing set of course! From outdoor toys like swing sets and sandboxes, to indoor supplies like chalkboards and craft tables, our play products are here to help you make this summer fun and packed with learning!
The Importance of Unstructured Playtime for Children's Development
Pre school? Check. Soccer practice? Check. Piano lessons? Check. Ample amounts of unstructured play time? Ummm…Modern parenting is tricky – between academics, activities, apps, we have so many resources to entertain and teach our kids. So many that we sometimes miss out on one of the best teaching tools of childhood: unstructured play. Here’s what it is, why your kids need it, and how you can make it a regular part of your child’s life! Benefits of unstructured playtime So, exactly what is unstructured play, and why is it so important? Quite simply, unstructured play is child-led play time that’s not directed by an adult and doesn't involve screens – and it has some pretty huge benefits for kids’ development! Develops creativity and imagination A bored child is just a few minutes away from becoming a creative child! When kids are given the time and space to entertain themselves, their imagination kicks into gear. From dramatic play to building and crafting to inventing their own games, unstructured play is the secret sauce to unlocking your kiddo’s creativity. Enhances problem-solving and decision-making skills Want to help your child develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making? Give them time for free play! Seriously. When they encounter a problem, they rise to the occasion, getting creative with what they find or making something new. All the while, they're learning without even realizing it! Improves social and emotional development When kids get a chance to play together without any adult interference, they figure out how to communicate their ideas, take turns, share, and get along. It’s fine to help young toddlers learn how to introduce themselves or to help diffuse major squabbles, but in general, resist the temptation to hover over every interaction at the playground. Enhances physical development and motor skills Give a kid freedom to play how they want, and what will they do? MOVE. When given the opportunity and the environment, kids run, climb, explore, dig, move heavy objects, etc – no gym coach required. All of that movement helps support them in getting the exercise they need and developing strength and gross motor skills. Reduces stress and anxiety We know – the idea that our pampered little loves are stressed can seem laughable. But the fact is, when kids are overscheduled, over-screened, and don’t get the movement and play time they need, their mental health can suffer as a result. Free play activities help release pent-up emotions, boost mood, and increase self-esteem – especially when those activities involve lots of movement and outdoor time. Kids get a chance to have some control over their day, to shake expectations of doing things “right,” and to revel in the joy of just playing. Obstacles to Unstructured Playtime Implementing more unstructured playtime sounds super easy on paper – as in “Hey, go play and have fun!!” But in reality, modern obstacles can make it pretty difficult to achieve. Screens & Tech Today’s kids are growing up in a world where screens are everywhere, and if we’re not careful, those screens can rob them of play. These devices can be addictive in nature and make it hard for kids to engage in other types of play. Pressure to “Get Ahead” Sometimes, parents are made to feel like the only goal of the preschool years is to learn letters and numbers… or to train up the next big soccer star. Let’s be clear – there’s nothing wrong with encouraging kids in academics and extracurriculars, but a heavy focus on them can leave little time for unstructured play, which may not seem as "productive" or "useful.” If you’re feeling that pressure, just remember that the “soft skills” of childhood – ie. problem solving, emotional regulation, social skills, creativity, etc. – are going to be just as, if not more important to their success as students and adults. Safety Concerns Does unstructured play feel like a recipe for disaster? Remember that unstructured doesn’t necessarily mean unsupervised. You can and should still keep a watchful eye in public settings while letting kids take age-appropriate risks. Plus, a kid-friendly backyard and a child-proofed home go a long way to giving kids the freedom to explore without compromising safety. Packed Schedules Finally, there's the issue of time. Between work, household chores, and other responsibilities, it can feel like screens or scheduled activities are the only way to make it all happen. But unstructured playtime can be our best friend here! It’s a developmentally-friendly way for kids to spend their time while giving us a minute to load the dishwasher or pay the bills. Normalizing unstructured play in your home may take some time at first, but we promise, in the long run, it’s worth it for both you and your kids! How to Encourage Unstructured Playtime Fostering unstructured play is all about creating time and spaces that encourage creativity, exploration, and imagination. Here are some practical tips for making that happen: Craft a safe and stimulating environment: First off, let’s all take a breath and remember it’s okay to let kids be messy, loud, and a little bit wild sometimes. Outdoor time is perfect for this! Indoors, we can also provide them with open-ended toys like play kitchens, dollhouses, and other pretend play props – but remember, it's up to them to decide how to use them. Allow free time Sounds simple, but we know how easy it is to fall into all the sports, camps, and lessons. Guard against the pressure to fill every moment of their day with structured activities. Unstructured time is just as valuable! For some kids, it may be helpful to create a daily rhythm so they know when to expect free play time each day. Limit screen time If screens are your child’s go-to fix for boredom, adjusting to free play can be tough at first, but stick with it! If you feel like you need some help reducing screen time, we recommend checking out the American Academy of Pediatrics Family Media Plan Tool. It walks you through the process of identifying your goals and creating a media plan that works for your family! Encourage outdoor play Outdoor play is critical for kids’ physical and emotional wellbeing, and it provides endless opportunities for unstructured play. Whether it's on your backyard playset, at a local park, or on a nature walk, try to make time for it every day. Be patient and allow for boredom Unstructured play doesn’t always come easily. You can still count on hearing “I’m bored!” every now and then, especially from kids who are just getting used to independent free play. Encourage your child to persevere through boredom and frustration, modeling ideas for activities and, above all, keeping a positive attitude. Remember, this time is meant to be fun – harsh reprimands will only work against you in the end. Model unstructured play And lastly, let's not forget to have fun ourselves! Get down on the floor and build a fort. Run around the backyard. Make a mess in the mud kitchen. Even with play, kids learn by example. It may sound counterintuitive, but playing with your child will make it easier for them to engage in those activities without your help later. Plus, kids need a balance of independent play and warm interaction with adult caregivers. When you fill up their love-and-attention tanks by spending time together, they feel more emotionally secure and able to spend time on their own.So, there you have it – the challenges and joys of unstructured playtime. Let's embrace the chaos and creativity and let the kids be kids! Who knows what kind of magic they'll create when they're left to their own devices?
Creating a Safe and Fun Outdoor Play Area for Children
Have you come across the 1000 Hours Outside movement on your social media feed yet? It’s a mom-led mission to get our kids outdoors and playing as much as possible, and it’s sparking a passion in parents and caregivers everywhere for the benefits of outdoor play. Even for those of us starting with much less ambitious goals (1000 hours per year can sound intimidating at first!), it’s hard not to be inspired by all the benefits of nature, risk-taking play, and outdoor time for our kids. That’s why we’re passionate about making backyards as fun and kid-friendly as possible. Because, let’s be honest, nature trails and parks are awesome, but loading kids in the car is hard. To make those outdoor hours a little more attainable, here are some ways you can empower them to play and explore safely in their own backyard! Safety First Yes, risk-taking play is critical for kids, but we do want to make sure those are reasonable and purposeful risks. (More on that below!) So it’s our job to protect them from the serious dangers. Before you let the kids loose in the yard, you’ll want to: Identify and remove potential hazards. Think rusty nails, gaps in fences, hidden holes, etc. Discuss or remove natural hazards. There is something to be learned from a wasp’s nest, a bed of ants, or a patch of thorny plants. If your child is old enough, you can talk to them about staying away from these hazards but still let them observe them from a safe distance. If your child can’t understand or doesn't have the self control for that yet, it’s best to remove the hazards altogether. Properly install and maintain outdoor play equipment. Play equipment is ideal for risk-taking play but only if it’s properly installed (i.e. anchored to the ground on a flat surface and surrounded by a safety zone of loose-fill like wood chips). Supervise and set rules as needed. Child-led free play doesn’t mean no boundaries. Be sure to set clear rules where necessary and keep the kids within sight. Encouraging Active Play One of the greatest benefits of time in the great outdoors is that it nearly always results in active play. All that activity helps kids develop gross motor skills and get the exercise their bodies need, but the benefits don’t end there. Adequate active play is even linked to improved focus, sleep, and emotional regulation.Kids don’t need much to engage in active play – just a little space and a few well-chosen toys. Balls, frisbees, hula hoops, jump ropes, and similar toys are great budget-friendly options, and larger outdoor toys like swing sets and climbing walls provide a wider range of activities. Don’t forget that nature comes with its own “toys” for active play – digging in the dirt, collecting sticks, and splashing in puddles are all classic kid favorites. Nurturing Imagination and Creativity Without getting too sappy here, there is something magical about kids’ natural sense of awe in nature. When they marvel at a feather, dandelion, snail, birds’ nest, cloud, you name it, they’re fueling their imagination with curiosity and wonder. So as you play outdoors, help them slow down occasionally and notice the small stuff. They’ll love learning about it, and they’ll love incorporating these natural elements into their imaginative play. A few select outdoor toys, like a playhouse, gardening tools, a sandbox, a bug collecting kit, can fuel their exploration and imaginative play as well, naturally encouraging them to want to spend more time outdoors. Providing Opportunities for Socialization Ever notice how your kids can spend endless hours outside as long as they’re playing with peers? Hosting outdoor play dates helps your kids get all the benefits of active play, nature play, and social play at once. Outdoor play time is more likely to result in child-led free play (vs. the more parent-led activities that tend to happen indoors), letting kids practice their social skills as they make up their own games and activities. Balancing Risk and Safety We mentioned earlier that risk-taking play is so important but that risks should be reasonable and purposeful. So what do we mean by that? First off, reasonable risks are risks that may result in minor injury but not serious or life-threatening harm. So falling just a couple of feet from the low tree branch they were hanging on? Reasonable (depending on their age and physical health, of course). Falling from great heights or swimming unsupervised? Definitely not. As you help your kids stay safe, it’s important to use your own judgment while still giving them room to explore, take risks, and yes maybe incur a few bumps and bruises along the way. Next, purposeful risks are those that actually help your child learn, gain new skills, and develop confidence and self-regulation. So when kids see how far they can jump from the swing or if they can go down the slide backwards? They’re testing the boundaries of their own coordination and learning how to self-regulate. But when they run into a busy street or step on a rusty nail? There’s not a lot of purpose there (not to mention potential for significant harm), so feel free to completely remove those risks from the play space without feeling like you’re depriving your child of an opportunity for risk-taking play. The takeaways Outdoor play gets kids moving, helps spark their curiosity and imagination, and provides opportunities for social skill development and risk-taking play. And there’s no better way to build more outdoor time into your daily rhythms than by making your own backyard safe, fun, and kid-friendly. KidKraft’s line of outdoor toys and play equipment are designed to do just that. Shop our play sets, playhouses, climbers, sandboxes, and more, and start racking up those outdoor hours… You may just find that 1000 hours outside doesn’t sound so crazy after all!
Engaging Your Child in DIY Projects at Home
By providing hands-on experiences, DIY projects allow children to take risks and learn from their mistakes, boosting their confidence and giving them valuable practice with problem-solving skills, fine motor skills, and creative exploration. Whether it’s something as complex as putting together a birdhouse kit or as simple as a macaroni necklace, kids benefit from the chance to create! Here are some tips to help give your kiddo a can-do attitude when it come to DIY projects at home: Finding the Right DIY Project Finding the right DIY project for kids can be a bit of a Goldilocks situation. You want it just difficult enough that your child is interested in the challenge but not so difficult that it causes them to give up… and triggers a meltdown in the process.Choose projects that are age-appropriate, considering your child’s fine motor development, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation. When in doubt, Start with simple projects. Starting with easier projects can help build your child's confidence and encourage them to keep going. Plus, it gives you an accurate idea of their current skill level, so you know exactly how much of a challenge they can handle next time.That being said, don’t be afraid to pursue projects that might traditionally be considered too advanced for young kids. Kids get pretty stoked at the chance to use real tools like screwdrivers and hammers or to make a recipe on their own. Just be sure you’re supervising for safety whenever necessary! Setting Up Your DIY Project Space A child-friendly project space sets your kids up for success! But don’t overthink it. Just keep these basics in mind, and you should be good to go: Make it ergonomic Kids will have an easier time focusing on the project if they aren't struggling to stay in their chair or reach their tools. You can use a kid-sized craft table or desk, or just add a booster seat to the dining room table. Whatever you do, just make sure they are comfortable and can reach everything on the work surface. Provide all the (child-sized) tools Before you get started, make sure your kiddo has everything they need within reach. Ideally, those tools will be appropriate for tiny hands. Miniature kitchen tongs, child safety scissors, and child-sized gardening tools will be far easier for your child to handle than their full-size counterparts. Keep it clutter-free Tiny bodies come with tiny attention spans, and clutter does not help. Try to clear everything out of the workspace except for necessary project materials. Executing the DIY Project With the project chosen and the space setup, it’s time to get started on project perfection… or is it? Remember that for your kids, the process is way more important than the end product! As long as they’re having fun, getting creative, and staying safe, the project is a win. Opt for open-ended With that being said, we know kids sometimes have a perfectionist streak that can make enjoying the process hard if the project isn’t turning out as they’d hoped or if they need more help than they want. In these cases, it might be helpful to offer more open-ended DIY crafts for kids. For example, consider a project like making a “stained glass” suncatcher (using bits of colorful tissue paper and contact paper inside of a cutout construction paper frame) lets your child choose which colors to add and how to arrange them but doesn’t need to look a certain way to be a success. You can keep things even more fluid by simply offering a range of craft supplies and seeing what your child does with them. Craft pom poms glued to popsicle sticks? Brilliant. Cutting up strips of construction paper to glue onto a paper plate? Sure, why not? Remember, process over product. Encourage creativity What happens when your child takes the project in a direction that’s not exactly by-the-book? As long as they’re staying safe and not destroying property, let them take the lead! So maybe instead of your cute idea to make animals out of toilet paper tubes, your child simply wants to make a magic telescope by gluing odds and ends to the tube? That is still a win! Prepare your child for the challenges When you do choose a more difficult project that will require some adult help, try to talk to your child beforehand about the challenges they may face and the areas they may need help in. They love the privilege of participating in “grown up” projects like painting the playhouse or planting a real garden. But since there’s less room for error here, just let them know that these are projects where you’ll have to work together as a team and follow instructions closely. Hopefully, this talk will help set their expectations and manage emotions when parts of the project are tricky. Celebrate! Your words of encouragement and interest in your child’s creations mean the world to them. So no matter how those projects turn out, be sure to celebrate your child’s efforts. Try pointing out specific choices they made rather than offering general “good jobs!” And don’t forget to ask them to tell you about the project too – you’d be surprised at what they see in their own “abstract” creations!
