Posts Tagged ‘toys’

A Toy Story

Wednesday, November 5th, 2008

Our modern world contains an unlimited selection of toys. We could entertain our children ad infinitum and never see the same toy on any given day if cost and over-indulgence were not issues. So, we must choose – wisely.

Playmobil. That is my choice hands down. Playmobil consists of small, somewhat flexible, plastic figures centered around creative themes. Children spend countless hours building fortresses, furnishing homes and palaces, chasing pirates, corraling livestock, planning villages, and even manning modern hospitals. Playmobil unleashes children’s imaginations.

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Playmobil has longevity on its side. The German company has been around, in one form or another for years. Adults that enjoyed hours of play with these diminutive figures and their accessories during their childhood wait with bated breath to observe their little ones delight in Playmobil.

Playmobil is a bit pricey, but that is its only negative feature. However, the dollar-value is tremendous when you consider the hours of creative playtime it inspires. It is quite durable (my 5-year-old now plays with the figures my 21-year-old enjoyed as a child). It helps to develop fine motor skills and encourages development of communicative skills.

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My children begin playing with Playmobil when they are about four years of age and continue to enjoy it for six or seven years (until they are about eleven or twelve). The small pieces can be a safety issue for toddlers and a little frustrating for younger children.

Playmobil provides lovely, traditional playtime for children.

For other wonderful Christmas toys, visit Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer.

“When I approach a child, he inspires in me two sentiments; tenderness for what he is, and respect for what he may become.” – Louis Pasteur

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The Land of Counterpane

Friday, October 17th, 2008

Children have fabulous imaginations. Their little minds are always working overtime as creative juices billow forth with new and fantastic ideas as they enliven the world around them.

My young children may be left alone playing for only a few moments and yet create blanket hide-aways, intricate “school rooms”, restaurants complete with lovely menus, and trains ready to roll across the prairie. Give them a pair of scissors, a ream of paper and a gross of tape (which they always manage to find!) and the possibilities become endless. Last week I walked in to colorful 3-D barns, animals, cars and sunglasses. I am not certain any number of pamphlets, magazines or craft books could actually compete with a child’s imagination.

So, if you are not the creative type, follow your child’s lead. Don’t be afraid to let your children make a few messes (within reason. . .). Let them play utilizing a gift God has blessed them with -their imaginations. You can provide them with the basic tools and the safe environment for playtime. Then step back and just watch as their wonderful world comes alive.

For other great ideas, visit the Friday meme at Heart of the Matter.

The Land of Counterpane

When I was sick and lay a-bed,
I had two pillows at my head,
And all my toys beside me lay,
To keep me happy all the day.

And sometimes for an hour or so
I watched my leaden soldiers go,
With different uniforms and drills,
Among the bed-clothes, through the hills;

And sometimes sent my ships in fleets
All up and down among the sheets;
Or brought my trees and houses out,
And planted cities all about.

I was the giant great and still
That sits upon the pillow-hill,
And sees before him, dale and plain,
The pleasant land of counterpane.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

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Aqua Fina

Sunday, July 20th, 2008

Young children love to play with water.  Inside, they enjoy filling the sink with water and playing with dish soap bubbles or washing their play dishes. Their child size  kitchen play takes on a new dimension when they can fill their cups, teapots and pans with water.

During the summer the options for water play open up. There are always the usual opportunities like playing in small pools, running through the sprinklers and playing with water guns.

Our children never tire of playing with water balloons. They do not simply lob the balloons at one another (although this is what occurs most of the time particularly as the older children get involved). Younger kids enjoy filling the water balloons. They always need help tying them. Then they float them in their little pools and create games centered around the water balloons. Our children have occupied several afternoons defending their fortress (play equipment) while the enemy attempted to overtake them… all with the assistance of water balloons as their weapons of choice.

One terrific water activity for younger children is ”painting”.  I equip my little ones with a buckets of water and large inexpensive paint brushes and I send them off to paint.  They, then, proceed to paint everything in sight: their play equipment, bikes, toys, outdoor furniture, garage doors, the barn and even their father’s tractor.  This is an innocent, harmless, cool and relatively clean activity that keeps children busy and content for hours. They absolutely love it.

During the warm, summer days water play can be an easy, terrific activity. You can enjoy playing with your children right in your own backyard.

“Summer afternoon – summer afternoon… the two most beautiful words in the English language.” – Henry James

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