Izziwizzi Kids » Creative Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk The UK's No. 1 Interactive Online Play Community Tue, 08 May 2012 19:43:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Stimulating Play Ideas for Toddlers http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/stimulating-play-ideas-for-toddlers http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/stimulating-play-ideas-for-toddlers#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 19:12:59 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=9159

Play Fest families got together and came up with some really stimulating play ideas for toddlers on Twitter and Facebook. We’ve captured the ideas to share back, so you you’ve always got a handy point of reference to come back to if you ever find that you are stuck for an idea or two.

What is like life with a toddler?

We asked Play Fest what life was like with a toddler to which there was a general agreement that it’s exhausting, hilarious, maddening, hectic, busy, frustrating, rewarding, manic and stressful, yet the most amazing experience. Bearing all of this in mind, how on earth do you keep one of these entertained?

Play Fest gave it’s top tips for stimulating your toddler through play:

  • give them opportunity to learn through discovery e.g put objects in a box & reach in without looking to feel it
  • Little ones like to imitate what you’re doing. Even if it’s just stacking bricks
  • Don’t put in too much effort – inevitably they’ll be fascinated with the thing you least expected!
  • Everything breakable moves up a shelf
  • Make it simple but fun. Think outside the box

Play Fest families shared favourite toddler play ideas that you can try for yourself:

  • Toddlers love play that involves textures; glitter & foam and playdough
  • Games like duck duck goose & traffic lights are great for introducing taking turns & coordination
  • Messy activities – as young as possible
  • Reading
  • Building
  • Cook lots of spaghetti and put it in a washing up bowl and cut it up. Add food dye to make it more interesting.
  • Role play
  • Crafts with pasta shapes and making texture pictures
  • Pretend play e.g. play kitchens
  • Playing games like i-spy when out and about to learn about surroundings
  • Food play with jelly, angel delight, pasta, noodles as well as the usuals like water, paint and cornflour
  • Baking is great for experiencing tastes, smells and textures
  • Simon Says, hokey cokey, head shoulders knees and toes, if you’re happy and you know it, old mac donald – singing games
  • Simple jigsaws
  • Shopping list game memory game
  • Matching pairs game
  • Jumping in puddles
  • Make things from old cereal boxes, toilet rolls…anything from the recycling box.
Immerse yourself in play with your toddler and enjoy repetition to help your toddler to learn. Even if it is 10 times!

spaceship stations, from old cereal boxes, toilet rolls, well anything from the recycling box

Toys and Toddlers

Play Fest discussed a distinct lack of good quality engaging & stimulating toys for 18-24 mth group that they can learn on their own. Many have to introduce older toys under supervision.

Any toys that help children learn colours and shapes are great, but introducing textures is even better.

Finally science play for young ones was a product idea challenge.

 

Al Boxall-Gordon

I am the founder of IzziwizziKids.co.uk and the Play Fest.

]]> http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/stimulating-play-ideas-for-toddlers/feed 0 Valentines Heart Baskets http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/valentines-heart-baskets http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/valentines-heart-baskets#comments Tue, 14 Feb 2012 20:40:23 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=8729 http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/valentines-heart-baskets/feed 0 How to Make Origami Snails for Make Time 2 Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-origami-snails-for-make-time-2-play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-origami-snails-for-make-time-2-play#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:24:16 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6633 http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-origami-snails-for-make-time-2-play/feed 1 How to Make an Origami Star for Make Time 2 Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-an-origami-star http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-an-origami-star#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:18:49 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6628 http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-an-origami-star/feed 1 How to Make a Rice Shaker for Make Time 2 Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-rice-shaker-for-make-time-2-play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-rice-shaker-for-make-time-2-play#comments Wed, 24 Aug 2011 09:13:20 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6624 http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-rice-shaker-for-make-time-2-play/feed 1 How to make a paper Snow Flake for Make Time 2 Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-paper-snow-flake-for-make-time-2-play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-paper-snow-flake-for-make-time-2-play#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:23:28 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6467 http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-paper-snow-flake-for-make-time-2-play/feed 0 How to Do Coin Rubbings for Make Time 2 Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-do-coin-rubbings-for-make-time-2-play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-do-coin-rubbings-for-make-time-2-play#comments Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:28:22 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6462

Fiona gives a demo of a quick and easy activity for kids with coin rubbing for Izziwizzi Kids Play Fest and Make Time 2 Play.

Al Boxall-Gordon

I am the founder of IzziwizziKids.co.uk and the Play Fest.

]]> http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-do-coin-rubbings-for-make-time-2-play/feed 1 How to Make a Treasure Hunt for Make Time 2 Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-treasure-hunt-for-make-time-2-play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-treasure-hunt-for-make-time-2-play#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:26:07 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6421

Treasure hunts are a great way to let off steam indoors and outdoors. They are also great to entertain kids of varying ages. Younger children can follow picture clues, 5-6 can use basic words to find clues and practice their reading. Older children will enjoy more cryptic clues. Fun for all your children…whatever the weather!

Al Boxall-Gordon

I am the founder of IzziwizziKids.co.uk and the Play Fest.

]]> http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-treasure-hunt-for-make-time-2-play/feed 1 How to Make a Picture Book / Scrap Book for Make Time 2 Play and Play Fest http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-picture-book-scrap-book-for-make-time-2-play-and-play-fest http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-picture-book-scrap-book-for-make-time-2-play-and-play-fest#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 19:18:30 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6417

Thank you Spud and Spike for this lovely play idea. For more adventures from Spud and Spike visit www.spudandspike.co.uk.

Al Boxall-Gordon

I am the founder of IzziwizziKids.co.uk and the Play Fest.

]]> http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-make-a-picture-book-scrap-book-for-make-time-2-play-and-play-fest/feed 1 How to do Finger Painting for Play Fest Challenge and Make Time 2 Play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-do-finger-painting-for-play-fest-challenge-and-make-time-2-play http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/how-to-do-finger-painting-for-play-fest-challenge-and-make-time-2-play#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:13:51 +0000 Al Boxall-Gordon http://www.izziwizzikids.co.uk/?p=6371

A great little idea to get little ones creative. Kay gives a demonstration on how to do finger painting. You can find more information on Kay’s blog at Brink of Bedlham

Al Boxall-Gordon

I am the founder of IzziwizziKids.co.uk and the Play Fest.

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