Simple Summer: Park Day

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Each week during nice weather, we join several friends at the park for park day. It is a great learning ground for social skills like taking turns and getting along with others. It allows for lots of physical exercise. And best of all, it is lots of fun with lots of play.

I am an advocate for allowing children to learn through play. Summer is great because so many of our activities through the summer center around playing. Don't let the idea of play leave your mind as you enter the "school year," whether you have children in school or not.

I found this great article on the benefits of play: Play Is Essential to Learning. Be sure to check it out! 

Surviving Winter: Dress Up and Imaginative Play

Dress up and imaginative play are fun any time of year, but they are a great way to pass the time while stuck inside. Dress up and have fun!

Acquiring dress up clothes does not need to be expensive--though I do think in most cases it will take you time to build it up. One way to get inexpensive dress-up clothes is to shop the sales right after Halloween. Even pre-sales--a lot of Halloween costumes will be cheaper than it is to buy "dress-up" clothes.

The crafty among you can sew and make dress up items.

Never underestimate the power of a simple accessory. Brayden often uses a sword, a hat, and a bag when playing pretend. He uses simple accessories more than he does a full-out costume. Hats, jewelry, bags, scarves...accessories.

You can give your kids things you were going to get rid of. One great example is purses. Rather than tossing or donating all of your old purses, save one or two for your kids. One of Brayden's favorite clothing dress-up items is a khaki vest my mother-in-law was getting rid of. I knew he would love it for his safari adventures.

We have a large rubbermaid tote that holds all of our dress up clothes. They are easy to access and easy for kids to clean up.

So encourage your children to play dress up and take themselves mentally to a different place full of exciting adventures!