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Why do kids stare at people all the time? Why doesn’t my kid play with other kids? If you’ve ever asked yourself either of those questions, then you’ll find it helpful to take a look at the six stages of play. Reviewing these common stages of play that kiddos experience during the early years will help answer these questions and many more.  If you really just want to know why toddlers stare at people, click here ! What Are the Six Stages of Play? In 1932, an American sociologist from the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Child Development, Mildred Parten, observed that kids naturally go through various social stages of play  in early childhood. Parten categorized these stages into six groupings. Over 90 years later, the play community continues to recognize these stages.  Stages of Play 1️⃣ Unoccupied Play 2️⃣ Solitary/Independent Play 3️⃣ Onlooker Play 4️⃣ Parallel Play 5️⃣ Associate Play 6️⃣ Cooperative Play Why Are the Six Stages of Play Important? The most important aspect of Parten’s Six Stages are the skills that kids develop along the way. As a caregiver, you might find it helpful to familiarize yourself with the variety of ways little ones socially interact. It can also be validating to know that your kid's behavior isn't weird, just typical. Note : The age range of the stages is highly debated. I decided to reference the range from   Pathways.org  because I've found it to be the most accurate timeline amongst kids I’ve worked with.  Unoccupied Play (0 - 3 months) These are the days when babies are high off life as they explore what their bodies can do and what actions they take warrant a response from caregivers —  think of the unoccupied play stage as a time of self-discovery!  Examples of Unoccupied Play: Movement (reaching, kicking, etc.), grabbing at toys, exploring on play mats or play gyms How to entertain a 3 month old?   Caregivers can entertain 3 month old babies with activities like peek-a-boo using your hands or play scarves and mirror play.  Tip : No mirror? Prop up your phone or ipad and turn it on selfie mode; this doesn’t qualify as screen time since it’s comparable to a mirror reflection What can a 3 month old baby play with? Three-month olds can play with toys that are easy to grasp— baby paper, toy rattles, teethers. Art cards with bold patterns and textures or bright colors are great for stimulation. This is also a nice age to introduce babies to music. Instrumental jams and classical music can be particularly calming.  How does unoccupied play help development? Unoccupied play allows little ones to familiarize themselves with their abilities and their environment.  Solitary Play (0 - 2 years) Also referred to as independent play, solitary play is the stage when kids begin playing with less dependence on the direct engagement and reliance of caregivers. Parten noted that throughout this stage, it’s common for kids to be more self-centered and focused on individual projects or outcomes through play. This is also the stage when children begin using pragmatic thinking and comprehending cause and effect.  Example of Solitary Play:  Despite a caregiver being close by, a child is able to play/entertain themselves over short durations of time. For example, a child might explore a play gym while you unload the dishwasher.  How to encourage independent play?  One way to encourage independent play is by setting up a " yes space" for kiddos (a safe area in which a few toys or books are easily accessible). Caregivers can also use child-led guided play as scaffolding to increase learning outcomes. Guided play is sometimes referred to as play based learning and can be complemented through setting up low prep activities using household objects .  Which toys are best for independent play? Following the unoccupied play stage, the best toys for independent play vary based on your little one's age, interests, and abilities. Here are a few recommended toys based on age ranges.     Babies: Shape sorter, soft books, stacking toys, blocks Tabies (12-24 months) : Reusable drawing toys, shape sorter, felt book stories, cause & effect toys How does solitary/independent play help development? Independent play allows children to explore their current abilities, limitations, and build resilience through trial-and-error and long-term practice.   Onlooker Play (2 - 3½ years) Onlooker play looks like the kid version of people watching. Well, except for the fact that kids can be very overt about people watching— they will literally stand in front of another kid and stare them down without saying a single word. This behavior might appear odd or rude, but it’s totally natural. It’s not just their peers that kids stare down, they also take close notice to what grownups are up to.  Examples of Onlooker Play: I’m sure you’ve seen the viral reels or Tik Toks featuring adults at a playground staring at the camera as it moves. The caption overlay usually reads something like “ every toddler as you walk past them at the park.” You know the videos I’m talking about — that’s onlooker play.  💡 Did You Know?  The onlooker stage explains why so many kids are fascinated by watching toy unboxing videos!  What activities support onlooker play? An easy way to support onlooker play is to model play —  sit on the floor, build a block tower. Ideally, kids are provided with opportunities to be around other kids at play. Which toys are best for onlooker play? Open-ended toys, pretend play toys, dramatic play toys How does onlooker play help development? Through onlooker play, kids develop language and vocabulary, learn social and cultural norms, and begin building self-confidence. Parallel Play (2 ½ - 3 ½ years) During parallel play, you’ll find kiddos playing alongside or next to another kiddo, but strictly focused on their own activity or play scene.  Examples of Parallel Play: Parallel play often takes place in group settings during free play. One child might be focused on building a tower with blocks, while another kid plays with animal figurines. Both kids might be aware of each other's presence, but they don't really interact with one another. H aving a child help with household tasks or chores is also a form of parallel play. An adult can be cooking dinner while the child washes dishes  in the sink.   What activities  support parallel play? Individual sensory bins support parallel play. This allows kids to be be engaged in their own activity and enjoy personal space, while becoming slightly more conscious about other kids around them. Which toys  are best for parallel play? pegs boards, pretend play figurines, cars, art supplies How does parallel play help development? Language development (very typical for kids to narrate aloud as they play in this stage) Associate Play (3 - 4 years)  During associative play, kids face play scenarios where they’re challenged to communicate and share with other kids, but aren't working together to meet a shared goal. Examples of Associative Play: I’ve observed kids engaged in associative play most often when using play dough or other sensory materials (requires communication about sharing tools). It's also common to see associative play when kids are building structures with small blocks ( magna-tiles come with a lot of compromising discussions about the divvying up of square tiles ), and when kiddos use dramatic play toys (they dish out roles and scripts for their playmates to follow). What activities support associate play? Some activities that support associative play  include sensory table play and general nature play. Which toys are best for associate play? Dramatic play toys (play kitchens or grocery store , pretend food , doctor kits, dress up clothes); active play equipment; magna-tiles How does associative play help development? Through associative play kids begin noticing that they exist in relation to other kids. Little ones can develop patience, as well as, improve their gross and fine motor skills.    Cooperative Play (4 - 5 years) According to Parten, the cooperative play stage is a merging of the previous five stages. Kids begin working and playing together more frequently, while striving to achieve a shared goal. Examples of Cooperative Play: An example of cooperative play is a handful of kids working together to build a fort. Fort building requires a lot of design planning, turn taking, and compromising. Through this process, little ones practice communication, negotiation, and teamwork to achieve their shared goal: a fort that they can go in and out of without having it collapse on their heads.   What activities support cooperative play? Sharing limited play equipment, such as slides, swings, climbers; role-playing scenarios Which toys are best for cooperative play? jumbo blocks; board games; more advanced puzzles; dramatic play props; puppets; giant playsilks (for epic fort building) How does cooperative play help development? Cooperative play allows kids to practice turn taking, sharing, and cooperation. It also improves speech and language development, as well as executive function (planning). ⬇️ Learn More: Are the Six Stages of Play Linear? It’s possible for kids to show linear progression through the six stages of play. However, it’s more common for kids to exhibit behaviors from multiple stages, often within the same day. For example, in daycare settings, I’ve worked with some 2 year olds that would spend their mornings watching other kids play (onlooker play), and after nap time, they engaged in interactions that fall under associative play. Due to limitations in ability (disabilities), culture, neurodivergence, adverse childhood experiences (ACES), and a child’s independent development growth, some kids might skip a stage, take many years to reach a stage, or require assistance to reach a stage. Do All Kids Go Through the Social Stages of Play? It’s worth noting that Mildred Parten was a White American and presented the concept of the six stages of play during the Great Depression (1929-1939). That is to say, her findings were based on the observations of White, American, able-bodied, neurotypical children.   Teacher educator, Eunsook Hyun, takes a deep dive into the significance of culture within the context of early childhood development, particularly in childcare settings. In chapter two of Dr. Hyun's book, she suggests that the progression through the stages of social development is less predictable for certain groups: BIPOC children; and kids that are a part of families with multiple siblings. Kids in these demographics tend to move through the six stages in a nonlinear path.  A number of researchers have found that Euro-American parents tend to see play as a catalyst for developing their kids’ cognitive and social skills. Hyun writes, “caregivers in this demographic often raise their kids to focus on individuality, developing independence , and how to occupy themselves with their toys (Johnson, Christie, & Yawkey, 1987).” In modern western parenting, this has become more prevalent. As a result, the timeline for when kids reach the parallel, associative, and cooperative play stages may be different.   In contrast, caregivers from African-American, Asian-American, and Hispanic-American backgrounds tend to raise kids to be more group oriented, with a focus on family interdependence  and family reliance. Put simply, in the early years, it’s more common for BIPOC kids to be raised to focus on the collective instead of entertaining themselves.    Regardless of cultural norms, there isn’t one right way to socialize a kid . A child’s play patterns can be influenced by their home environment, birth order, being an only child, and a myriad of other conditions. Through acknowledging cultural differences within these stages, my hope is that caregivers can reflect on their child’s current play patterns and be inspired to explore and incorporate other practices when possible.     References Hughes, Fergus P. Children, Play, and Development. Edited by Fergus P. Hughes, SAGE Publications, 2010, https://books.google.com/books?id=KbnOVfinznEC&pg=PA100#v=onepage&q&f=false .    Parten MB Social Participation among Preschool Children. Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology. 1932; 27 (3): 243–269. “What Are the 6 Stages of Play?” Pathways.org , 16 September 2022, https://pathways.org/watch/stages-of-play/ Hyun, E.  (1998). Making sense of developmentally and culturally appropriate practice (DCAP) in early childhood education. New York: Peter Lang. Chapter 2

Wanna feel less guilty on your next midnight shopping spree? Check out these awesome companies that follow the BOPO (buy one, plant one) business model with every purchase you make! Supporting these brands is a great way to help the environment and feel slightly better about those late night splurges. As our society continues to grapple with climate change, businesses are stepping up with creative ways to empower shoppers. While monetary donations are still impactful, businesses have began leveraging a different marketing trend— tree-planting initiatives. From clothing, to accessories, stationary, and even outdoor gear- there are a growing number of companies engaging in eco-conscious business models. Take a look at some brands practicing the buy one, plant one model below! ✨ Quick Preview 1️⃣ tentree 2️⃣ Paper Culture 3️⃣ Oakywood 4️⃣ WoodChuck USA 5️⃣ Eartheasy 6️⃣ Get Stamped 7️⃣ Küat tentree Features | Eco-conscious Clothing Best For | Men, Women, & Kid's EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing; Designs for Circularity   Planting Partners | Eden Reforestation Projects; Trees for the Future; Plant With Purpose Certifications or Ecolabels | Certified B; Climate Neutral Certified tentree is a Canadian clothing brand that has been part of the BOPO model for 10+ years and has impressively planted over 81 million trees since it's founding! The company uses recycled or organic materials in their clothing to help reduce the amount of water and emissions that are produced in standard clothing production. Some of these materials include TENCEL™ lyocell, organic cotton, REPREVE® recycled polyester, and recycled nylon. While I've only purchased a few items from tentree, one of them included my prized black winter parka and I can't rave about it enough. As I finish up my third winter with the coat, its condition is just as good as the day I received it. Happy to report it’s definitely buy it for life quality!  Screenshot of veritree tree tracking through tentree's Impact Wallet. Is tentree's BOPO initiative verifiable? Yes, tentree's BOPO initiative is verifiable through veritree. In fact, transparency about tree planting was (and still is) such an important value to the company, that the founders created veritree, which allows customers to track the trees that they help plant. veritree partners with lots of tree partners With each purchase, you receive a stamped card with a scannable code. After scanning, you click the link to register your code and track your trees in an interactive virtual forest. Heads up, the forest map kinda gives Minecraft vibes, whereas, I was initially expecting Google Earth quality... but veritree is constantly testing new technology and they're a very young company. Regardless, this is by far the most transparent technology I've seen that allows customers to verify trees are planted using their money. SHOP TENTREE PAPER CULTURE Features | Holiday Cards, Invitations, Photo Books Best For | Christmas Card Senders, Party Planners EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing Planting Partners | Trees for the Future; Arbor Day Foundation; Friends of the Urban Forest; Our City Forest Certifications or Ecolabels | Certified B Paper Culture specializes in holiday cards and wedding invitations (think: eco-friendly version of Minted or Shutterfly). Unlike most standard holiday card companies, Paper Culture prints cards on 100% recycled paper, using either post-consumer recycled paper or alternative non-tree fibers. I've purchased my annual holiday cards from Paper Culture for the past five years and their customer service staff is super friendly and helpful, despite it being the busiest time of year for them. With every order placed, a tree is planted where reforestation is most needed. At checkout, you're given the option to write a special tree dedication. I dedicate mine to my dad each year, who planted a tree before passing away —  but the tree continues to thrive today. Is Paper Culture's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes, Paper Culture's BOPO initiative is verifiable. You can check out their tree counter on the Trees for the Future website, that has logged over 1.3 million trees planted . I also love that Paper Culture partners with a couple of local tree planting orgs ( Friends of the Urban Forest and Our City Forest ) in the San Francisco Bay Area, where their corporate office is located. SHOP PAPER CULTURE OAKYWOOD Features | Home Office Essentials Best For | Remote Workers EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing; Designs for Circularity Planting Partners | One Tree Planted*; Forever Forest Certifications or Ecolabels | uses FSC certified wood While I've recommended Oakywood in the past , their BOPO model is yet another reason you should check out their products! Oakywood crafts stunning home office furniture and accessories in a modern minimalism meets Montessori style. The Polish founded business offers a slew of electronic accessories, like AirPod Case s (my personal fave), and genuinely innovative WFH accessories. When you buy any item from Oakywood, the company uses a portion of the profit (usually $1) to plant a tree. Their transparency around their environmental initiatives , materials, and labor, as it relates to total prices for customers is commendable. Screenshot of One Tree Planted partner listing on September 27, 2024 featuring Oakywood logo on The Wayback Machine internet archive. Is Oakywood's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes! Oakywood's BOPO initiative is verifiable through One Tree Planted. However, the company is not publicly listed as a partner of December 14, 2024, This appears likely due to website updates and donor feature changes from One Tree Planted. Through One Tree Planted, Oakywood has planted 87,919 trees. This comes out to be 2,197,975 kg of CO2 saved. While Oakywood has a handful of distribution sites around the world, their workshop is still located in Ciche, a small town in Poland. As such, they also have a local planting partner, Forever Forests, through which 10,959 m2 of forest has been planted. SHOP OAKYWOOD      WOODCHUCK USA Features | Sustainable & Customizable Wooden Gifts     Best For | Eco-conscious gifters & creative professionals EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing  Planting Partners   |  Various Partners via veritree Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A One glimpse of the Woodchuck USA site and it’s nearly impossible not  to find something you’ll love! Woodchuck has an expansive collection of customizable wooden gifts—coasters, bottle openers, notebooks, candles, picture frames, wooden gift boxes, and lots more! Woodchuck USA's best sellers include their wooden journals, phone cases, and flasks. While the wood used in production is not FSC certified, this is likely due to the fact that Woodchuck utilizes a mix of reclaimed and recycled wood  (which ironically isn't allowed under the FSC certification) in addition to sustainably sourced wood. Woodchuck USA is highlighted and sits under the $5,000-$9,999 section. In the past, Woodchuck USA has partnered with the NFF. However, they've seen a hugeee surge of success (since I originally highlighted them in 2021), which has led the company to expand their tree planting initiatives through a partnership with veritree. The growing company pledges to BOPO with each item purchased. A unique QR code is included with every wooden keepsake from Woodchuck. The code allows you to to track your tree’s location to see where it’s rooted. To date, the small business has been able to plant over 4 million trees ! Is Woodchuck USA's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Like tentree, Woodchuck USA uses veritree, which provides shoppers with individual QR codes to track their tree. In addition, the NFF's latest annual report confirmed that Woodchuck USA donated between $5,000-$9,999 to their mission. SHOP WOODCHUCK USA EARTHEASY Features | Products for sustainable living     Best For |  Wooden garden beds EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing  Planting Partners   |  Trees for the Future Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A While Eartheasy sells a variety of sustainable living products, they’re most known for their signature garden beds and planting boxes. The owners of the company have decades of firsthand experience with green living, having raised two kids ‘off grid’. Today, they manufacturer beautiful wooden planter boxes and curate their top recommended tools for integrating sustainability into your lifestyle. I also find their puppets, made from recycled wool to be incredibly cute and are on my wishlist! Is Eartheasy's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes, Eartheasy's BOPO initiative is verifiable through Trees for the Future. I actually had to update the number of trees they've planted on my database tracker, from 50K to 173K, which tells us that (1) Eartheasy is still actively partnering with Trees for the Future and (2) they're selling a heck of a lot of products! SHOP EARTHEASY GET STAMPED Features | Rubber stamps    Best For | Wedding or housewarming gift EcoFocus | Sustainable Sourcing  Planting Partners   |  Trees for the Future; World Land Trust Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A Rubber stamps are so classic, we often forget about them. Of course, Get Stamped goes way beyond selling your average stamp. All stamps are made from natural components, including environmentally sourced oak and green eco rubber. What's really cool is that you can design stamps featuring names, initials, addresses, and pretty much anything you can imagine — probably best to keep it PG rated though. Here are a few other use cases that came to mind: Wedding Gift : Know a couple getting married and combining their last names? Gift them a stamp with their new hyphenated last name! Housewarming Gift: Have friends that just moved or recently became homeowners? Gift them a stamp with their new address. Kids' Activities: Toddlers and even big kids will awe in their ability to create art so effortlessly. Stamps are such a fun addition to any arts & crafts collection. Stamps are also a more eco-conscious alternative to stickers! If you're looking to give kiddos stamps on their hands as a reward, Get Stamped even has a specially formulated Skin Ink Kit , because they've seem to think of everything! Is Get Stamped's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes and no. Get Stamped partnered with Trees for the Future for five years (2018-2023) and supported in the panting of over 74,000 trees, which is verifiable with the planting partner . However, they've since switched to a partnership with World Land Trust . Under their new model, one square meter of wild land is purchased with every order. Each meter adds up to acres of land that Get Stamped is able to purchase and conserve as designated wildlife. So far, consumer purchases have preserved over 20,700 m2, which is about the size of 4 American football fields! Trees for the Future still has Get Stamped listed as a corporate partner. I only discovered the switch from doing research on Get Stamped's website. I decided to still include them in the BOPO lineup because they seem like an awesome company that has merely shifted to focusing on conservation efforts vs. reforestation . And technically, World Land Trust does offer tree planting initiatives as a service to corporate partners. SHOP GET STAMPED KÜAT Features | Travel Gear Solution Best For | Outdoor Enthusiasts Planting Partners   |  NFF; Trees for the Future; One Tree Planted EcoFocus |  Accessibility to Nature Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A Küat designs car solutions for adventurers transporting recreational equipment. A car rack is definitely one of those things you don’t realize you need until you really need it. By then, it’s usually too late… there’s no way you could possibly pick out your rack, order it, and have it arrive before  your road trip. If you're an avid bicyclists, surfer, kayaker, snowboarder, or skier, chances are you’ll need a method for transporting your gear at some point. Küat products are designed to support folks in enjoying the outdoors, so it's fitting to invest in a car rack from a company that's giving back to the environment! When you make any purchase through Küat, a donation is made to support their Future Forest initiative , where they report that they've planted 685,342 trees planted so far! Is KÜAT's BOPO initiative Verifiable? Yes, Küat's BOPO initiative is verifiable through Trees for the Future, with whom they've planted 357,043 trees . In 2023, they donated between $10,000-$24,999 to the NFF. SHOP KÜAT So, there you have it, seven awesome companies to go checkout! Do you buy from any companies that give back through BOPO initiatives? Is this list missing any great companies? Leave a comment to let us all know! Sincerely, Briesh P.S. Stay Conscious + Curious!

Gifting is hard and kids are just as difficult to shop for as adults. In attempt to make the process a wee bit easier for you, I'm sharing the toy trackers that I've been putting together over the past few years.   Things to Keep in Mind I happpen to be an evangelist for play-based learning. Therefore, you will rarely see toys listed as "educational," especially for babies and toddlers— at this age, all toys are educational. There are also very few push button toys listed that are designed to teach the alphabet, colors, or counting. Some researchers have noted that in order to promote early language development, electronic toys should be discouraged. These are resources that I'd been using to organize my ideas for toy related content. I've made modifications, tweaks, and updates in order for the tables to make sense to other people. Feel free to send me a message or leave a comment with suggestions or errors. ✨ Resources for Gifting Kids' Toys: Quick Links 🧸 Types of Toys for Kiddos 🥁 Specific Toy Recommendations for Babies and Tabies (Ages 1-2) 🌟 All-Time Favorite Toys & Recommendations: From Babies to Big Kids 🚀 Premium Toy Retailers 🧸 Types of Toys for Kiddos This is a broad list featuring over 100 types of toys! 🥁 Specific Toy Recommendations for Babies and Tabies (Ages 1-2) Sometimes I use Susie Allison's (Busy Toddler) term, "taby" to refer to this age range, because it just makes things easier. About half of the recommendations on the Babies & Tabies list are toys that I've used with little ones firsthand and noted the value they bought to their play. The other half are well-vetted high quality versions of developmentally appropriate toddler toys. 🌟 All-Time Favorite Toys & Recommendations: From Babies to Big Kids ✅ Fort building supplies ✅ Wooden toys ✅ Magnetic toys ✅ Melissa & Doug favorites You're sure to find a couple gift ideas for a kiddo on your list! 🚀 Premium Toy Retailers ✅ Play couches ✅ Playsilks ✅ Imaginative play toys ✅ Pretend play toys & more!

Do you have a toddler that gets just as excited about going to the grocery store as they do about going to an amusement park? Then this the perfect fun and free dramatic play activity to recreate at home. Plus, this activity requires the use of recycled materials, which makes it a great opportunity to expose kids to eco-friendly practices. Eco-friendly dramatic play... is that a thing? Can I make it a thing? Anyhow, let's get started! Step 1 : Consume contents of groceries per usual. Step 2 : Save packaging of food products (items that come in cardboard boxes, plastic jars, milk jugs, etc) Step 3 : Use your imagination to bring the empty packages back to life by making them look and feel realistic! Check out this post for a complete walk-through of that process. Step 4 : Give kid small reusable bags to bag their groceries. *Note: you don't have to shop at Lululemon to find this size bag, I found a handful of them at my local thrift store for 50 cents each* Step 5 : If you have any foreign currency- or know a friend that has traveled overseas and has leftover currency to spare- slap some clear contact paper over bills to prevent them from tearing easily. Then, give your kiddo their play money! The range of currency bills is a lot more fun for kids more than the boring grey bills at toy stores. Heck, the colors even excite me as an adult! Anyhow, the colors are also a way to throw in some color vocabulary and recognition. A few spare dollars from board games will also work. Next, lend them a wallet you're not using. Step 6: Look through your wallet and find any old gift cards (which, by the way, have to be recycled in specific places, NOT in your recycling bin). Give them to your kid to use as pretend credit cards. Step 7 (optional): If you have a few bucks to spare, hit up your local thrift store for a toy cash register. I actually found two at my local Savers and one of them still had working batteries! Voila! There you have it folks, now get going turning your living room into a grocery store! Drop a comment below, sharing what recyclables you're able to give a second life to! Sincerely, Briesh P.S. Stay Conscious + Curious

Looking for a fun, nature craft to try with your kiddo? Here's a step-by-step guide to growing your very own, hairy grass caterpillar! This project takes around 15 min to do with little ones. You'll start to see grass sprouting around Day 4 or 5 and between 7-9 days for the caterpillar to fully develop. Supplies Knee-high nylon stocking Measuring cup or scooper Plastic cup with bottom cut off Pipe cleaners (rubber bands or twist ties also work) Bag of grass seed Dirt or soil Spray bottle Optional Supplies Googly eyes Pom pom nose 2 pipe cleaners Glue Step 1: Fill dish pan/container with fresh dirt or soil It doesn't matter what type of soil you choose, in the past, I've simply purchased a bag from the Dollar Tree for this activity. (If you have a garden, feel free to collect a bin's worth of soil from your garden) Step 2: Add  3-4 cups of grass seed This is a solid amount to go for, but we all know how toddlers can go overboard— not a big deal if they do. We used 1 cup measuring cups, but scoopers also work. Step 3: Mix grass seeds and soil together  Have your kid stir the seeds around the soil. Step 4: Use a small funnel to pour dirt inside a stocking Place funnel or makeshift cup funnel inside the stocking and pour in the dirt and soil mix. Add enough mix to make a head (think: the size of a stress ball). If you're interested in making a quick funnel, just cut off a quarter of a plastic cup. Step 5: Tie off the section Tie the section off using a 2 inch piece of pipe cleaner. You can also use twist ties Step 6: Repeat steps 4 & 5 Repeat the process of adding more dirt and tying off each segment to create 3 more round body parts. You'll want 4 body segments total. Have your kiddo practice counting the body segments as you go along and perhaps compare the sizes with them aloud. Try asking questions like: Do you know what shape this is? How many circles do we have now? Is this one full enough? Step 7: Give your caterpillar a bath! Submerge the caterpillar in a tub of lukewarm water and let it sit for a few hours. This allows the dirt to thoroughly absorb the water. Step 8: Remove caterpillar from bath Allow your caterpillar to rest in a tray. No more watering needed the rest of the day. Step 9: Water daily using a spray bottle The following day, begin watering your caterpillar daily. Not to worry if your kid goes overboard with the watering. This activity is less about teaching kids to have green thumbs and more about introducing kids to their ability to nurture nature. Step 10: Water, Wait, & Watch Continue watering daily. After about 3-4 days, grass will begin to sprout its hair! For toddlers, this may feel like an eternity, but it's a good lesson in patience. As the saying goes, "You can't rush mother nature." By Day 5, your caterpillar will resemble something like the picture below. Step 11: Enjoy your grass caterpillar! Between Day 7 and 9, your caterpillar's hair will start getting pretty wild! At this point, feel free to add googly eyes, a pom pom nose, and/or pipe cleaner antennas using a dab of glue . Bonus Activity: Engage fine motor skills by inviting kiddos to give the caterpillar a haircut using kid-friendly scissors. Developmental Skills:  Intro to STEM (observation; ) cause & effect; fine motor skills; Teaches:  patience; appreciation for nature; mindfulness Fun Fact: This activity was adapted from the Better Home & Garden's May 2013 issue, but it's very possible that the concept came from a well-known toy company. In 1994, Spin Master released its first product, the Earth Buddy —  a nylon stocking-covered head of sawdust topped with grass seeds! So, what are you waiting for? Go find an old stocking, grass seed, soil, and get started on this activity with your little one! I hope this project brings just as much joy to your little one as it's bought so many kids in the past! Please share pics of your grassy caterpillar in the comment section below! Sincerely, Briesh P.S. Stay Conscious + Curious

Rather you’re new to sustainable living or you’ve been on your journey for a while, you’re sure to find an item that piques your interest! Rest assured, I’ve personally researched, purchased, and tried out each of these eco-conscious items, so I can confirm they're top notch.  Disclosure:  I have no sponsorships or affiliation with any of these brands. The following reviews are my personal and unbiased reviews. Quick Links to Each Item Pictured & Reviewed 1️⃣ Oakywood Wooden AirPods Case 2️⃣ Chestnut Brown Jelt Belt 3️⃣ Plaine Products Body Wash 4️⃣ Planet Wise Reusable Trash Liner 5️⃣ Terra Ties Hair Ties Oakywood Wooden AirPods Case ✅ Features | Made of walnut wood 👍🏽 Good For | AirPod owners  🌱 Environmental Initiatives | BOPO  (plants trees with purchases) ; carbon neutral shipping  🌟 Certifications or Ecolabels |  uses FSC certified wood 💰 Cost |  ~$45 Despite the case being the size of a pacifier, AirPods are quite the investment. Which is why it's so imperative that all owners have a sturdy case to protect their pods!  Don't just settle for a cheap case made of synthetic plastics (yuck). What you need is an Oakywood AirPods Case ! This is a case you can show off with great pride, rather you pull it out at work or on the plane, the dark wood gives off, 'I have my sh*t together'   vibes! In fact, this line from Oakywood's site puts it best, "we believe that natural wood and modern technology go well together, both aesthetically and practically." Could not agree more! Not only is the walnut case the most durable case I’ve seen on the market, it’s just flat out more esthetically pleasing than 99% of other AirPod cases. Seriously, I've gotten a gazillion complements on this thing. ❤️ What I Love   While it's pricier than the average case, the quality is worth every penny. Oakywood goes the extra mile to be transparent about their prices— for each product, you’ll find a breakdown that explains exactly where your money is going. Here's the breakdown cost for an AirPods case: Production and Labor - $20; Taxes (Poland & European) - $11;   Margin & Fixed Costs - $16; Environmental Initiatives - $1 😐 What I Don't Love I dropped my case on vinyl flooring (peel & stick tiles) and it got a major crack. Luckily, all Oakywood products come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty for the original purchaser. I reached out to the company and they were very kind about sending me a new one since it fell within the warranty!  It seems like they've added an extra invisible layer of something amazing on their newer cases to make them crackproof! Since November 2021, I've dropped my replaced case on the same vinyl flooring and many other types of flooring and not a single crack or scratch has appeared after three years!  📦 Packaging In addition to supplying carbon-neutral shipping, Oakwoood reduces paper filing in packaging and uses recyclable materials such as paper boxes and cardboard mailers. 🛍️ Where to Buy For the most part, all Oakywood products  are sold exclusively from their website.  Chestnut Brown Elastic Jelt Belt ✅  Features | Modern belts that stretch  👍🏽 Good For | Jean wearers 🌱 Environmental Initiatives |  Made from recycled water bottles 🌟 Certifications or Ecolabels |   Certified B;  1% for the Planet Member 💰 Cost |  ~$45 As a society, we've kinda accepted the awkward bulge that comes with wearing a belt. Jelt Belt not only gets rid of belt bulges, but their belts are also made from post-consumer plastic (100% recycled water bottles).  Most belts sold in stores are made out of leather or faux leather (polyurethane). Fake leather is definitely better for the environment than real leather since it's cruelty free, but its popular substitute, polyurethane is a form of plastic. While polyurethane plays a role in expanding the lifespan of many objects we use daily , this has not been the case when it comes to belts.  What often happens is, after a year of use, the top layer of your belt begins peeling away from the fake leather. Or you run into the issue where the hole that you use most often expands too much, making the belt useless.  ❤️ What I Love With Jelt Belt, you can forget all of these annoying issues. Simply weave it through your belt loops then connect the two half circle buckles together, it couldn't be easier! Following almost a year of regular use (with various pairs of jeans), my Jelt Belt still looks brand new and shows no signs of wear or tear!  😐 What I Don't Love If you’re big on plastic reduction, you’ll love that instead of using plastic tagging barbs (those bone-shaped plastic pieces from tagging guns), Jelt opts for using little metal pins. Ironically, it still feels kinda wasteful, because you’re left not knowing what to do with them.  📦 Packaging All cardboard packaging  🛍️ Where to Buy Jelt Belts can be purchased directly from the Jelt Belt website . They’ve also added a variety of cool colors and patterns! Plaine Products Body Wash ✅ Features |  All natural ingredients  👍🏽 Good For | Anyone that uses body wash 🌱 Environmental Initiatives |  Closed loop business model 🌟 Certifications or Ecolabels |  Certified B;  1% for the Planet; Leaping Bunny Certified 💰 Cost |  ~$30-31 ($0.75 for a pump) Plaine Products makes a variety of skin and hair care products, including my current favorite item, Citrus Lavender body wash . Unlike most personal care companies, all Plaine products are aloe-based, instead of water-based. The combination of aloe, lavender, and citrus creates such a divine smell— ya know, one of those smells that smell super familiar but you can never quite put your finger on where you know it from .  Needless to say, you'll never grow tired of using this body wash or of trying to recall the scent from a distant memory.  What‘s unique about Plaine Products is that the company takes circularity very seriously. In fact, they have a closed loop recycling program.  🧐 How It Works Upon getting your package, you'll find a paid return label so you can return your bottle when it's empty. Every bottle returned is cleaned, sanitized, and refilled.  ❤️ What I Love All Plaine Products are free of sulfates, parabens, silicone, phthalates, and palm oil. There's also an option to take part in a subscription program and pause it if you need to skip a month or two.  😐 What I Don't Love Personally, I find it hard to remember another thing to take to the post office. However, you can still use their body wash and not participate in the subscription program or stress about returning bottles.  Simply bring your empty Plaine Products bottle (or any bottle) to a local zero waste store where you'll be able to refill your bottle when you run out of body wash. For some reason, this method works easiest for my brain. 📦 Packaging  All product bottles are made from aluminum. All boxes are made from 100% recycled material that require little to no filling. Paper tape is used to seal boxes.  And, according to their website, "The carbon footprint created to ship your orders is offset through native tree plantings, energy upgrades for low-income families, methane abatement programs at local landfills, and more." 🛍️ Where to Buy You can purchase Plaine Products directly from their website or use Plaine Products' store locator  to find a nearby retailer that carries the body wash.  Planet Wise Trash Liners ✅ Features |  Reusable trash bag  👍🏽 Good For | Anyone 🌱 Environmental Initiatives |  Waste Reduction  🌟 Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A 💰 Cost | ~$15 Once upon a time, it was the norm to use plastic grocery bags as trash liners. Due to more states adopting plastic bag bans, many Americans have defaulted to buying plastic bag liners. However, there are actually other options on the market, like Planet Wise trash liners.  Planet Wise liners are functional, odor-resistant, and washable!  Plus, they come in a fun array of colors and patterns! The parent company of the Planet Wise brand, Nicki's Diapers, is committed to educating parents and caregivers on the environmental benefits of cloth diapering vs. disposable diapers through an online community, blog, and the sale of cloth diapering products. Reusable trash liners happen to fall into the cloth diapering realm.  Even if you only use these trash liners in a couple rooms, not only will you be saving money and buying less plastic from Target, but you’ll also be contributing less waste to your landfill. Lots of small steps = big impact.  ❤️ What I Love The fact that the liners are washable and hold up great through many washes!  😐 What I Don't Love Using trash liners requires slight modifications to your routine. There are three approaches you can take: (a) empty your small trash bins into the main kitchen garbage (b) empty your trash into a paper bag (c) empty your trash directly into your city issued trash bin. The third scenario is ideal, but in all honesty, I have a hard time committing to this approach throughout the winter. Approaches A and B are still better than adding additional plastic to your landfill.  📦 Packaging  All cardboard recyclable packaging. Products are made in USA, thus have a lower carbon footprint. Carbon neutral shipping 🛍️ Where to Buy You can buy Planet Wise trash liners directly from Nicki's Diapers  and they also have an Amazon storefront .  Terra Ties Hair Ties ✅ Features |  Made from natural rubber  👍🏽 Good For |  Anyone that likes wearing their hair up  🌱 Environmental Initiatives |   Waste Reduction 🌟 Certifications or Ecolabels |  N/A 💰 Cost |  ~$15 How many hair ties have you lost or thrown away in your lifetime? Anyone that styles their hair or a little one's has dealt with this guilt. Introducing Terra Ties!  Terra Ties are a better alternative to traditional hair ties which are sourced from synthetic rubbers and polyester. Yuck. Instead, Terra Ties are made out of natural rubbers  derived from rubber trees and organic cotton, making them 100% biodegradable. That means, even if your hair ties end up in a landfill, they'll way more likely to decompose, in comparison to regular hair ties which are estimated to take 500 years to break down. 👩🏽‍🔬 How Do They Hold Up? On average, I'm able to use one Terra Tie about 4 times before it breaks or becomes so stretched out that it looses its form (I have thick hair). Keep in mind that all hair ties inevitably pop or break  and the longevity of a single tie differs for every hair type.  ❤️ What I Love You will notice that Terra Ties pull out less strands of your hair, which is a lovely bonus benefit. Are these ties a little on the pricier side? Sure. But, they last longer and keep shape better than any basic hair tie. 😐 What I Don't Love There's not much information about the Terra Ties company available online other than their website which has scare info. However, if you buy a pack from Amazon, a transparency sticker comes on the paper sleeve of the hair ties. According to Amazon, brands use transparency codes as a way for customers to confirm that the product you receive is coming directly from the brand.  📦 Packaging  Terra Ties come in brown paper packaging that is fully recyclable, as is the cardboard that the hair ties are arranged along.  🛍️ Where to Buy Terra Ties are mostly sold on Amazon , but can also be purchased from EarthHero  and Zero Waste Store .  There ya have it, my go-to eco-friendly essentials! Which products do you use daily? Share in the comments below, we could all use sustainable swaps to try out!

Need a way to spice up the next trip to the zoo with your little one? Your toddler will love this zoo scavenger hunt printable. This Montessori style scavenger hunt features real life photos of common zoo animals to get your kiddo even more pumped for their adventure! If you're simply looking for the printable, click here or scroll down to the end of the post. Why Choose This Zoo Scavenger Hunt? There are loads of zoo scavenger hunt printables available but the majority of them use clipart. The main benefit of using clipart images is that it provides you the option to print in black and white. But, zoo animals are full of unique colors and textures that deserve to be depicted a bit more accurately. One thing I’ve observed amongst kids from a variety of demographics- they love photographs, especially kids 3 and under! I’m not the only one that’s taking note of this. Montessori principles are based in the realistic depiction of objects, people, and nature . The goal is to expose babies and toddlers to things in everyday society that they’re familiar with or are expected to become familiar with. Familiarity comes through exposure, which can be nurtured through imagery and photographs. While it’s slightly more common to find photography in board books, it’s rare to find printable scavenger hunts that feature real life photographs. Unlike cartoon clipart, real photographs evoke a level of emotion and curiosity in toddlers that flat, unfamiliar cartoon clipart characters don’t convey as well. Unless it’s a popular cartoon character, it’s hard for toddlers to get excited about a random cartoon image (clipart) of a tiger smiling. But, when a child sees a photograph of a tiger yawning on their list, they get eager to see if they can find that exact tiger and catch it mid-yawn to match the picture! (Odds are they will not, considering I took most of the pictures at the Buffalo Zoo and the animals at your local zoo will look different) It’s likely that your kiddo will ask questions, like: is the tiger yawning? Why is it yawning? Tigers yawn? And some kids might find it overly hilarious that the tiger is yawning. Or they might share some observations about the animal in the photo. I actually used this scavenger hunt printable with kids ages 6, 5, and 4 and they had an awesome time using it. Even though I didn’t think to bring clipboards, they ended up using the wood ledges throughout the zoo or circling animals while they took walking breaks in the stroller. Benefits of Using a Scavenger Hunt Printable at the Zoo Problem Solving Scavenger hunts gamify zoo adventures by presenting a challenge for kids to complete. In order for them to complete their challenge, t hey have to do quite a bit of problem solving around navigation, utilizing context clues, and general planning. Here are a few examples of questions kids might work through in their head, along with guided questions to prompt discussion and collaborative problem solving: Toddler Thought: Where are the elephants? Parent Prompt: Which way do you think the elephants are, can you smell them? Toddler Thought: This place is big, how do we know where to go? Parent Prompt: Can we look for signs around the zoo that will help guide us to the animals on our list? Toddler Thought: It’s still taking forever for us to find the animals on our list! Parent Prompt: Should we look at a map of the zoo so we know where each animal is? Toddler Thought: I don’t see the snake, there’s nothing here [in the exhibit]! Parent Prompt: Maybe if we’re patient and take our time to look, we’ll be able to spot the snake hiding somewhere? Mindfulness One of the unexpected, but awesome benefits of having this scavenger hunt was the recentering aspect. As we all know, zoos are often full of the proper conditions for at LEAST one toddler meltdown per kid. Bees, big crowds, heat, missed naps, the long lines for the train… perfect recipe for fits and tears. It's super helpful to have a physical resource to redirect the kid's attention. The printable makes redirection less abstract, which is handy in a spacious place like the zoo. Think about how spread out animal exhibits are at the zoo- when your kid has a meltdown at the concession stand, it could be a good 5 min walk to the closest animal exhibit. We all know that 5 min of screaming and tears can feel like forever, especially when a distraction isn’t in immediate reach. Having the scavenger hunt on deck can make redirection a lot easier. Let’s say it’s a hot day and you guys stop at a stand to get ice cream to cool down. You both enjoy the ice cream but your kiddo starts having a fit because they finished their ice cream and are demanding more. While holding your ground you typically might say something like, “I’m sorry you’re sad that you finished your ice cream. I’m sad that I finished my ice cream too. But, I’m happy to be at the zoo with you. Let’s go find more animals.“ Now, you’ll be extra prepared with, “I’m sorry you’re sad that you finished your ice cream. I’m sad that I finished my ice cream too. But, I’m happy to be at the zoo with you. Which animal on the list do you think we should go look for next?” This small tweak will likely redistribute a feeling of control back to an emotionally overwhelmed toddler. Most importantly, it’ll remind them of the big picture experience of being at the zoo. Simply having the scavenger hunt resource can act as a mindful reminder for kids to return to the present moment. Physical Activity Not only is a trip to the zoo great at getting kids active, it also tires them out, so they sleep like a rock! Honestly, it can be a lot of walking for anyone , I do recommend you bring a stroller 3 and under just in case their tiny legs need a few breaks. Fine Motor Skills, Letter & Word Recognition, Vocabulary, Counting There are a number of additional educational benefits to using scavenger hunt printables. Toddlers practice their fine motor skills while holding markers and circling or crossing out the animals. Younger toddlers might be exposed to new vocabulary, like gorilla instead of the usual monkey. Some older toddlers will be able to recognize the letters that spell each animal. Regardless of age, all kids can practice counting the number of animals on the list and how many more are left to find. For younger kids, point to each image and count aloud to them. Recommended Supplies for Maximum Fun Color Printer Laminating Sheets Epson Presentation Printing Paper Laminator or Iron Dry Erase Markers (thin ones, not the thick ones) Clipboard Used dryer sheet or sock Instructions: Print on 8.5 x 11″ letter-size paper. If you want to reuse the printable multiple times, you’ll want to laminate it. In terms of dry erasers, I recommend the thin markers for toddlers… they tend to push down too hard on the thick markers, which ruins the tip. A used dryer sheet or a single sock (who’s pair has been lost for far too long) makes a good eraser. If you don’t have a laminator, you can actually use an iron. Simply put your iron on a low setting (such as the setting for silk). Next, insert your printable into a laminating sheet. Then, place a white sheet of paper on top of your project and run the iron over it. Download the Free Zoo Scavenger Hunt Printable! What are you waiting for, go print this activity! Between the realistic images, problem solving skills, mindfulness support, and a bundle of other educational values- I hope one of these convinces you to bring the zoo scavenger hunt along on your next trip to the zoo! When those inevitable toddler meltdowns arise, the scavenger hunt can be a lifesaver in shifting their attention. Incorporating this resource will make your trip to the zoo even memorable for you and your little one, while supporting your family with making mindful memories!

Do you remember being a kid and being captivated by the uniqueness of a seashell? Even as adults, we still harbor (get it?) a captivation with seashells. As adults, we often put seashells on display in our homes or use them to create funky jewelry. There's also the seashells that become prized beach souvenirs. Seashell crafts allow kiddos to embrace their innate fascination with these gifts from mother nature, while they unconsciously begin developing an appreciation for our earth. Seashell Crafts & Activities 1️⃣ Print Designs in Play Dough 2️⃣ Use as Tinker Toys or Loose Parts 3️⃣ Wash Seashells in a Sensory Bin 4️⃣ Bury Seashells in Sand 5️⃣ Paint Seashells 6️⃣ Bonus: Use Giant Seashell as a Coping Resource Where to Find Seashells Apparently there's some controversy over the ethics of buying and collecting seashells. I agree, crabs and sea creatures shouldn't have to resort to taking shelter in garbage because they can't find shells on the beach- totally not cool. But, the way I see it is, if you collect seashells at the beach one time and your child then learns to value and respect the beach/nature more, that lesson will have a far greater ripple effect than collecting 10-15 shells on the beach. With all that said, if you already have seashells on hand, awesome. If you don't and are close to a beach, grab some on your next trip. If you don't live close to a beach, you can find seashells at the Dollar Tree, Michael's, and Hobby Lobby. However, if taking seashells from the beach makes you uncomfortable, another option is to only collect the flat shells that look like scallops. This way, you can find solace in knowing that you're not leaving crabs homeless. These types of shells often go under the name Pecten Vexillum at craft stores if you specifically want to buy this type of seashell. Now let's get on to the fun! 1. Use Seashells to Print Designs in Play Dough Instead of using cookie cutters as your typical play dough accessory, hand your kiddo some ridged seashells. Have them flatten out a large chunk of play dough using a rolling pin (depending on the child’s age/development, they may or may not need help with this step). You’ll probably have to show them once how to make a seashell print. I like to compare it to a dinosaur footprint, because most toddlers are familiar with them. After you show them once, most toddlers will be able to handle making seashell prints on their own! Encourage them to observe whether or not the seashells all create the same print. If your seashells get all covered in play dough, try not to sweat it- think of it as an excuse to do activity 3 below! 2. Use Seashells as Tinker Toys or Loose Parts Throw in some little people or wooden peg dolls. Sit back and let their imagination go wild! Maybe a flat shell will become a bed or a huge shell monster? Perhaps a row of shells becomes a path a character has to walk along in order to get home? Younger toddlers might need a couple suggestions for inspiration and that’s okay. Feel free to give them an idea or two. They’ll likely build an elaborate and detailed story line from your prompts. Brace yourself for another long winded story from your kiddo! 3. Wash Your Collection of Seashells This seashell activity has been the most popular amongst the kids I've worked with! If possible, use seashells of various textures and sizes. Throw them in a clear sensory bin container (clear storage container or clear Pyrex baking dish works) and add some dishwashing soap or bubble solution. Lather to get the bubbles going. Give the kid an old toothbrush and watch them go to town washing each seashell. 4. Bury Seashells in Sand This activity is like a treasure hunt but instead of hiding treasure, you hide seashells. Not many people have sandboxes these days, but if you do, this is an extra easy activity for you to set up. But if you don’t have a sandbox, like most people, a bulk bag of sand is fairly inexpensive at a home improvement store. Pour sand into a clear sensory bin, have kiddo close their eyes or face a wall while you hide the seashells in the sand. Give them a shovel and pail and have them hunt around for all the treasured shells. 5. Paint a Seashell or Two Painting seashells is always a hit! Now, I don’t necessarily recommend painting your family’s cherished seashells that you guys spent days collecting at Myrtle Beach. I mean you could… but definitely ask your kid if it’s okay to paint one first. You can find a pack of basic seashells at the Dollar Tree to paint. BONUS ACTIVITY : Offer Seashells as a Coping Resource for Toddlers If your little one is having a meltdown or having some anxiety, have them listen to the waves of the “ocean” as a mindful calming solution. I've found distractions that refocus the senses are super helpful for toddlers during tantrums! Do These Activities Teach My Kid Anything? You bet! While playing with seashells isn't necessarily going to prep your little one to be the next contestant on kid's Jeopardy... a lot of value comes from playing with seashells, including: Sensory Exposure: Rough texture of the shells; grainy feeling of sand; playing in water Intro to STEM: Pattern recognition; contrast & comparison Creativity Language Development Imagination Cause & Effect Appreciation for Nature What Do Seashells Have to Do with Mindful Memories? Playing with nature finds, such as seashells is a way to connect little ones with nature. It's also reminds them that toys don't always have to come in plastic or have buttons that sing you the ABCs. There are so many toys that nature makes for all of us to enjoy— toddlers, adults, and people of all ages! The toddler age is the perfect age to begin introducing kids to the concept of being mindful and aware of the many gifts the earth provides us. Obviously, you can't say that to a 2 year-old and expect them to understand it. However, nature play demonstrates this philosophy in a more comprehensible explanation for kiddos. What ways have you noticed kids playing with seashells? Share in a comment below so I can add activities to this list and we can keep the fun going even longer!

Did you know that your garbage and the contents of your recycling bin can be home to the most creative toys and kid supplies? When we introduce kiddos to upcycling and repurposing materials from an early age, it can model the virtue of resourcefulness and get kids thinking about ways to produce less waste. With that said, I don’t want your household to be overflowing with trash (or what looks like trash). So, below you’ll find a list of materials that can be upcylced into toys and utilized for crafts in the following play categories: Dramatic Play; Fine Motor Development; Sensory Play; Intro to STEM; and Art & Crafts. Feel free to explore the categories that align with your kiddos interest. I also encourage you to check out a category that your kid is least likely to gravitate towards— perhaps these materials will spark their interest in a fresh way and strengthen their play muscles. ✨ Dramatic Play Kids learn so much from dramatic play. Through role-playing. caregiving, and using their imagination, they quickly create new worlds where they process emotions and experiences, often through mimicry. Rather it’s through mimicry or trying out something they saw on Bluey, these playful activities support kiddos in developing fine motor skills, language, and endless curiosity. 🧻 Toilet Paper Rolls Toilet paper rolls are a good base for crafting binoculars. By simply taping a couple rolls together and adding some string to hang around the neck, toilet paper rolls can quickly be transformed into glorified magnifying binoculars. Suddenly, kids have the ability to spot a tiny ant all the way on the other side of the yard. And if you’re lucky, perhaps they’ll use them to spot toys during clean up time! I’ve seen little ones inspired to go on bug expeditions, nature expeditions, and even use their binoculars for bird watching. This simple craft encourages nature play and curiosity about the earth. Tip: toilet paper rolls from companies that source toilet paper from bamboo tend to have the sturdiest tubes (Reel and Caboo) Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; visual sensory exploration; promotes language development via storytelling Teaches: curiosity; appreciation of nature; imaginative thinking; mindfulness; observation 🏴‍☠️ Paper Towel Rolls As for paper towel rolls, while you might just see another empty roll that no one has replaced, a toddler might see it as their new pirate telescope! Kids can decorate the rolls with markers, stickers, or even glue on jewels to add some flair. In the past, I’ve wrapped a little border around the top and bottom of the paper towel rolls using washi tape to give the toy a little pizazz. Feel free to do the same, plus, now you have a reason to pull out the 13 rolls of colorful washi tape collecting dust in the craft drawer! Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; visual sensory exposure; promotes language development via storytelling Teaches: imaginative thinking; creativity: exploration; awareness of the environment 🧋Plastic Cups There are many different ways to upcycle plastic cups! Kids can try cup stacking to build towers or reuse them as pins for a game of bowling. One of my favorite use cases was a few years ago, when we did a camping theme in our classroom of 3 year olds. Our toy props included a set of four Dollar Tree lanterns… but we had 8 kids. Yes, it’s important to teach kids to share and take turns, but the amount of arguing and tears over the lanterns was unbearable. In the toy closet, we had a bunch of battery-operated tea lights. We also had a few clear plastic cups leftover from a holiday party. So, I pulled out a hole puncher, punched a couple holes on both sides of the cup, and connected a pipe cleaner to make a handle. Then, I turned on a tea light and dropped it inside the cup— ta dah, a lantern! The kids were thrilled and everyone went off to the tent or under the loft with their very own lantern. Since then, I’ve replicated the same craft using clear to-go cups from restaurants. As you can see, it’s quite simple to do and only takes a few minutes to make! Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; hand-eye coordination Teaches: curiosity; perception; shadows; light & dark; sensory play 💳 Used Gift Cards The vast majority of gift cards are made with PVC and require extra effort to recycle properly. Instead of trashing them, hand them over to your kiddo. I guarantee you they’ll be thrilled to go shopping in their DIY grocery store using their credit cards, as toddlers like to call gift cards. Through the images of groceries, coffee, ice cream, and logos (think: Target, Amazon), kids are prompted to recreate shopping experiences. Developmental Skills: vocabulary and language; Teaches: negotiation; storytelling; imaginative thinking Food Packaging Empty food packaging items breathe life into a kid’s grocery store or play kitchen by providing realistic shopping and cooking experiences. Little ones can learn about different food groups, practice organizational skills by arranging the products on shelves, and even use the items to prepare meals for their stuffies, siblings, or grownups. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; language development; counting; planning Teaches: imaginative thinking; creativity; cultural awareness; encourages mimicry and deep play 🌶️ Condiment, Topping, and Spice Containers Empty condiment, topping, and spice containers are ideal for bringing a touch of realism to a standard play kitchen. Kids can pretend to be experienced chefs as they season their meals with familiar spices and maybe even act out trying out a spice or topping that they’ve been hesitant to try in the past. Plus, playing with these items can introduce kiddos to spices from other cultures. 🧁 Sprinkles The easiest way to make pretend sprinkles is to add rainbow dyed rice to an empty bottle of sprinkles. In an effort to be less wasteful, I’ve also recreated a bottle of nonpareils sprinkles by mixing together different colors of floam (I ordered an off brand in hopes it would be a decent consistency, it turned out to be too sticky). 📦 Cardboard Boxes Cardboard boxes are priceless to kids! Huge boxes (think: washing/drying machine boxes) are gold, but harder to come by. Honestly, any size box will bring hours of entertainment, especially if you let your kiddo go wild with markers and stickers! Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; spatial awareness; self-awareness Teaches: creativity; storytelling; imaginative thinking 🔸 Ideas for Extra Large Boxes (Refrigerator boxes, washing/drying machine boxes): spaceship, house, castle, fort, submarine, a Time Machine for fans of Dragons Love Tacos 🔻 Ideas for Medium Boxes: Air conditioner box, diaper box = car or boat 🔹 Ideas for Small Boxes: small world play (football stadium, soccer field, zoo or habitat for animal figures); Barbie/Action figure swimming pool 🔺 Ideas for Long & Narrow Boxes: car ramp, ball ramp, slide for little people, balance beam (when stuffed) for 1-2 year olds 📚 Book Suggestion: Boxitect is a fun read that offers creative ideas for box play! ✨ Fine Motor Development Fine motor development skills are crucial for toddlers, but you don't always need the latest toy from Learning Resources (Spike the hedgehog is in every household these days). Simple recyclable materials can give kids the same practice, while being more personalized and engaging. 🥚 Egg Cartons or Cupcake Containers Egg cartons and cupcake containers are handy for fine motor development activities, the individual compartments are great for sorting and classifying small items like pom poms, beads, nature finds, or other manipulatives. Using tweezers/tongs, toddlers can sort objects into different compartments based on qualities or characteristics (color, size, etc). Developmental Skills: Intro to STEM (counting, sorting by color, shape, qualities; pattern recognition); observation; hand-eye coordination Teaches: independence; patience; precision ☕ Coffee Can You can easily upcycle a coffee container into an engaging toddler toy– I like to call this the Pom Pom Drop Game. Step 1: Save a coffee or tin can that has a plastic lid Step 2: Use an Xacto knife or fine scissors to cut various shaped circles into the lid of the jar Step 3: Give toddler colorful poms poms Step 4: Challenge kid to stuff the poms poms through the holes Developmental Skills: problem solving; object permanence; color recognition; language development Teaches: curiosity; perseverance 🫙 Plastic Containers or Jars Plastic containers can be upcycled in so many different ways. I had a plastic container (from a 12 pack of contact lens cases) and I turned it into a gift card slot game for younger toddlers (tabies). Here’s how you can replicate it: Step 1: Collect/save old gift cards you receive Step 2: Save plastic jar big enough to fit gift cards in Step 3: Use Xacto knife or fine scissors to cut a slot into lid of jar Step 4: Use colored duct tape to tape around slot-this will cover up any sharp edges leftover from cut Step 5: Play! Fun tip: Save enough gift cards to do themed collections! (Example: Winter cards, summer/spring cards, food cards, dog cards, etc!) Developmental Skills: object permanence; fine motor skills; counting; cause & effect Teaches: patience; perseverance ✨ Sensory Play It's always great to try out activities that activate kid's sensory receptors and sensory play does just that. Rather it's through visual, tactile, auditory, or even smell, there are loads of materials that grownups can use to optimize sensory play and many of them can be pulled out of the recycling bin or spared from a landfill. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; cause & effect; sensory exposure; hand-eye coordination Teaches: curiosity; self-awareness 🌊 Water Bottles for Sensory Bottles Empty water bottles can be transformed into captivating sensory bottles. Fill them with water, glitter, beads, food coloring, or small toys to create an eye-catching visual experience. 🫧 Bubble Wrap for Popping/Sensory Exposure Bubble wrap is both fun and beneficial for sensory play. Popping bubble wrap helps little ones develop fine motor skills as they use their fingers to press and pop. It also provides auditory and tactile stimulation, making it an engaging multi-sensory activity that kids love. Side Note: One year, the kids in our class were obsessed with driving cars along a strip of bubble wrap. …I couldn't figure out why exactly but it could be something to try out. 🍼 Scoopers, Clear Lids, Medicine Cups Scoopers from baby formula, clear liquid detergent lids, and clear medicine cups from over-the-counter medicine for kids are awesome tools for sensory bin activities. Kiddos can use these tools to transfer materials like rice, beans, water, etc. from one container to another, enhancing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory exploration. This activity also encourages imaginative thinking as they pretend to cook, serve, or embark on treasure hunts within their sensory bins. 🪥 Old Toothbrushes Rather than getting rid of your kiddo's old toothbrush, add it to your sensory play toolkit! Kid toothbrushes are particularly designed for small hands to manipulate. ✨ Intro to STEM As amazing as they are, magna-tiles aren't the only STEM toy for kids. Loose parts, like packing peanuts encourage kids to explore construction in a whole new way. Plus, toddlers get to sharpen their executive function skills through planning and problem solving. Developmental Skills: problem-solving; spatial reasoning; engineering Teaches: creativity; imaginative thinking 🥜 Biodegradable Packing Peanuts for Constructive Play Biodegradable packing peanuts offer a unique, yet eco-friendly way to introduce kids to basic STEM concepts, in part because they’re made out of 100% corn starch. Applying small amounts of water to the peanuts using a paintbrush turns them into sticky building blocks that kids can use to construct various structures, from simple shapes to mini igloos. Packing peanuts can also be used for art projects. I’m low high key still proud of the mini igloo a group of 2-3 year olds put together. We have long winters in Buffalo, and one day there was a plastic bowl (think: to-go salad bowl) sitting in our craft cabinet. I cut out a little section to resemble a door frame, then asked the kids to glue on packing peanuts. The next day, we had an igloo for their penguins and other figurines to go along with their pretend play. Safety Note: Ordinary packing peanuts can be a major choking hazard for kids, especially kids 3 and under (they look a lot like pirate’s booty popcorn).I’m not entirely sure if the majority of companies have switched to using biodegradable packing peanuts. My supply has come from LUSH, which I can confirm, exclusively uses biodegradable peanuts. If you come across peanuts in a box, I recommend testing them by running a few in water to see if they dissolve. ✨ Arts & Crafts Arts and crafts is where creativity and resourcefulness thrives. When we present kids with more opportunities to repurpose materials, they not only become more environmentally conscious, but also, more conscious of the trash they generate. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills Teaches: creativity; self-awareness; self-expression 🍪 Plastic Catering Tray For a holiday party, a parent bought in fancy sugar cookies, the kind that are hand decorated and come in a plastic catering tray. While the cookies themselves were a hit or miss amongst the kids, the tray itself was invaluable. From there on out, the plastic catering tray became our go-to solution for marble painting without the mess! To try at home: Step 1: Roll a couple pieces of masking tape onto the back of a sheet of paper. Step 2: Stick paper to the base (white part) of plastic catering tray Step 3: Pour a few dabs of paint on the paper Step 4: Place 3-4 marbles on the paper Step 5: Snap the lid of the tray back on Step 5: Allow kid to go wild shaking the tray as they observe the marbles move and colors mix! ✂️ Old Magazines Invite kids to create collages using cutouts from old magazines. With two-year-olds, you’ll probably have to rip out pages and simply allow them to practice their cutting skills. Typically, kids three and up can independently cut out pictures and letters independently. If you don’t have magazines around, old editions of Highlights magazine, Zoobooks, or even toy catalogues also work! 🌈 Bottle & Pouch Caps Kiddos can use bottle caps as loose parts, for color sorting fine motor activities, and even to make works of art! Instead of tossing the hundreds of colorful pouch caps toddlers go through, save them to help little ones create an eye-catching rainbow display! 🖍️ Scraps of Material (paper, fabric, buttons, etc) In our classroom, we had a smorgasbord (2.5 gallon storage bag) full of odds and ends– small scraps of paper, fabric scraps, random buttons, foam board scraps, and so many other bits. We regularly added to the ever growing collection but also utilized the supplies by inviting kids to make open-ended collages. Well, that was a long list of materials—  I hope you were inspired by a couple suggestions and use cases. I do plan on adding to this list as I try out more materials and as I learn new ideas from kids themselves! How do you use trash and recyclable materials in play? I'd love it if you added your suggestions in the comments below so I can add them to this list. The more examples we have, the less waste we generate!

As an interdisciplinary field, play can quickly get complicated. In fact, the topic of play happens to be so nuanced that developmental psychologists, evolutionary psychologists, anthropologists, sociologists, and even neuroscientists study play... Good thing you’ve stumbled here— I happen to be a Certified Play Expert with over a decade of play experience! This post will introduce you to common types of play and how each type of play supports childhood development. You'll leave here with a much clearer understanding of how kids play, along with toys that complement each type of play. First, we'll go over a few main types of play: free play, guided play, and competitive play. During free play a kid can take part in many other forms of play. We'll look at some of the most common subcategories, including: dramatic play, physical play, pretend play, constructive play, nature play, and creative play. Next, we'll turn to guided play and it's subcategory, sensory play. Lastly, we'll go over competitive play and games. ✨ Free Play Free Play is centered on unstructured time for kids to play– it’s child-initiated and child-led, with little to no adult intervention. Free play is intrinsically motivated and encourages kids to try things out through trial and error, When a child engages in free play alone, they’re left to use their imagination with the toys or objects that they have open access to. Solitary free play can be easily confused with independent play. Independent play tends to involve more structured activities with less open range. Examples: Kids might make up their own games, create imaginary worlds, or come up with other elaborate ideas– but, they’re the ones in charge of what and how to play. Caregivers may supervise from a distance or stay within earshot of the child or children, only stepping in if necessary. Developmental Skills: Problem solving, language development, coordination Teaches: Autonomy, sharing, cooperation 👑 Dramatic Play Dramatic play involves kids exploring different roles and scenarios as they expand their understanding of the world and themselves. Examples: Dramatic play can look like a kid trying on dress up clothes; doing housekeeping tasks; caretaking of a doll or stuffed animal; cooking in pretend kitchens; playing doctor, house, school; etc. Developmental Skills: Speech and language; classification; executive function skills (in this case, planning out their play scenario); problem solving (stuffed animal is sick and child has to figure out a way to heal it) Teaches: Creativity, imagination, collaboration Toys or Supplies: Play kitchen; grocery store toys; dolls; stuffed animals; doctor's kit; playsilks Note: It’s natural for little ones to reenact a wide spectrum of scenarios. This can include acting out their daily routines, performing scenes from a book or movie. Kids process through play, so it’s even typical for them to act out tough scenarios their families might be facing such as divorce or the passing of a loved one. 🤸🏾‍♀️ Physical Play Also referred to as active play, physical play is all about movement. It involves both fine and gross motor skills. Example: Physical play can look like a kid running around in open space; trying out yoga poses; dancing; climbing a structure; playing catch; jumping on a Nugget couch etc. Developmental Skills: Focus and attention; coordination; muscle development; body and spatial awareness Teaches: Self-awareness; perseverance; resilience; stamina Toys or Supplies: Open space for child to play; pikler climber; balance beam; balls 🙃 Rough and Tumble Play Rough and Tumble play is a form of physical play that's important for learning limits and building social bonds. Examples: Kids engaged in a wrestling match or body tackle. While it’s nearly first instinct to want to break up rough and tumble play, it’s actually a developmentally appropriate type of play. Tickle fights are another example! Developmental Skills: Social bonds; gross motor skills Teaches: Boundaries and limits; respect 🦖 Pretend Play During pretend play, kids manipulate action toys or figurines to create elaborate play scenarios. Similar to dramatic play, pretend play provides children with a safe space to replay and process everything from daily routines to emotional events. Example: Child narrates the life of a toy figurine Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills, storytelling, Teaches: Imagination, resilience Toys or Supplies: Action figures, animals, cars, figurines or toys that represent people 🏢 Constructive Play Unsurprisingly, constructive play is all about construction. During constructive play, a child is focused on building a structure. In the early years (between ages 1 and 2) constructive play typically starts out as stacking, then kids learn the word “tower” and become adamant about building towers. After the tower phase (between ages 2 and 3), toddlers start getting more creative as their language and fine motor skills advance— suddenly they’re excited to show off their castle, digger, city, robot, and a myriad of other constructions. Example: Child attempts to build a structure using loose part materials or toy blocks Developmental Skills: Spatial reasoning; sorting; classification; introduction to STEM; mathematical and problem solving skills; fine motor skills Teaches: Patience; determination; planning Toys or Supplies: Magna-tiles; wooden blocks; Duplo legos 🌱 Nature Play Nature play allows kids to connect with the outdoors and centers their natural curiosity. More and more research has begun to reveal that nature play is one of the most impactful types of play. Example: Has a kid ever bought you a mud pie? That's nature play in action! Developmental Skills: Intro to STEM; cause and effect; observation; classification; sorting Teaches: Respect and appreciation for nature; curiosity; mindfulness Toys or Supplies: Bowl for collecting nature finds; container or pail for water; travel-size spray bottle for watering plants 🎨 Creative Expression Creative expression involves any form of artistic expression, kids often make or produce a final product through creative play. The final product can physical or everlasting, like on a canvas or piece of paper. The final product can also be something a child is proud to show off or share but its' existence is only temporary-- like a dance they learned, a cookie they made for you, a song performed on an instrument. 🖌 Traditional Art Keep in mind, most toddlers aren’t Monet prodigies. A lot of the art they create will probably be scribbles with crayons or random paint strokes until around age 2 and a half. But, creative play is less about the end product and more about the process of a child experimenting with colors and developing the muscles to control their utensils. In case you needed to hear it from someone— you are not obligated to keep every piece of artwork a child brings home or makes for you. Example: Finger painting; Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills Teaches: Patience; planning Toys or Supplies: Art kits; watercolor paint; water brush; blank notebooks; paint sticks; bleeding tissue paper 🥁 Musical Expression Through musical expression, kids create sounds, rhythms, and melodies to communicate feelings, stories, or simply enjoy the joy of music. This form of play can also be a supportive aid in generating connections between the part of the brain that connects with emotions and memories. Example: Child making up their own song or using household objects and/or instruments to produce sounds. Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills; cause and effect; problem solving (how to hold a beat); rhythm; memory and repetition Teaches: Self-expression; imagination; cultural awareness Toys or Supplies: Egg shakers; maracas; repurpose an empty oats container for a soft hand drum; educational music artists for kids to listen to: Laurie Beckner Band; Raffi ✨ Guided Play Guided play is child-led and inspired by the interests of a child. The adult's role is to provide scaffolding to meet a learning goal. This form of play falls along a spectrum between free play and games (which are structured). NAEYC refers to guided play as a form of playful learning¹. Examples: Within a play setup designed to teach shapes, a grownup might see a kid playing various shaped blocks and then prompt them by asking a question like, "Do you think you could show me how to build a tower using only rectangle shaped blocks?" Here's another example of guided play from The LEGO Foundation². Although the example is geared toward educators, any caregiver or play facilitator can apply a similar approach during guided play: "Children building with blocks will often go as high as possible. Noticing this, an educator can suggest they compare which tower is taller, count how many blocks each tower has, and even use blocks as a unit of measure to compare heights and lengths of all kinds of objects in the class." Developmental Skills: Problem solving; color recognition; sorting; classification; vocabulary; counting; Intro to STEM skills Teaches: Adaptability (adjusting to given guidelines), specific academic or life concepts (like colors, shapes, numbers, or social scenarios) Toys or Supplies: Shape sorters; puzzles; guided Lego kits 🌊 Sensory Play Sensory Play engages multiple senses at the same time. Activities under this category involve stimulating visual (colors, patterns), auditory (sound, noise), kinesthetic (movement, motion), or tactile (touch, feel, texture) components. You can also activate olfactory receptors through pleasing scents like cinnamon or peppermint. Sensory Play falls under guided play for a couple reasons: (1) Young toddlers require supervision due to choking hazards and general safety. (2) Unlike the openness of free play, it's common for caregivers to set up sensory bins that revolve around a theme, season, or holiday. However, most kids ages 3 and up can do sensory play independently. Example: Washing toys in a sensory bin; sand play; shaving cream mixing; sensory bottles Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills; exploration of cause & effect; observation; sensory exposure Teaches: Imagination; mindfulness; self-expression (through clay and play dough use) Toys or Supplies: Play dough; clear sensory bins; small toy figurines ✨ Competitive Play Through Competitive Play kids engage in games or activities with defined rules and a clear objective. This form of play often introduces little ones to the concept of winning or achieving a goal before others, as well as how to handle defeat. Competitive play helps kids see competition in a positive light and motivates them to simply do their best. It also provides a safe environment for little ones to experience and manage a healthy amount of pressure. Examples: Races; treasure hunts; obstacle courses; a game of Hot Potato; Soccer Shots Developmental Skills: Gross motor skills; coordination; problem solving (how to win or why did they loose); memory (remembering the rules) Teaches: Patience, rule following; leadership; sportsmanship; turn taking; self-regulation; collaboration; self-confidence Toys or Supplies: Soccer ball; basketball; mini size football; goals or orange cones 🎲 Games Games allow kids to familiarize themselves with structure and rules. Examples: There are many forms of games: board games; card games; physical games (games that require movement), educational games (including games that require memory and observation); and guessing games to name a few. Developmental Skills: Fine motor skills; memory; concentration; attention Teaches: Self-regulation; turn-taking; patience; delayed gratification; mindfulness Toys or Supplies: Candyland; Zingo; Lion in the Way; Twister; Pick Up Sticks; Memory card games Citations: ¹ Jensen, H., Pyle, A., Zosh, J. M., Ebrahim, H. B., Zaragoza Scherman, A., Reunamo, J., & Hamre, B. K. (2019). Play facilitation: the science behind the art of engaging young children (white paper). The LEGO Foundation, DK. ² Digital excerpt from book by NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth Through Age 8. 4th ed. (2022) Washington, DC

Kids don’t always need traditional toys to make mindful memories. Sometimes, it’s the household items around your house that they can play with for hours. The items listed below can spark inspiration for active play, dramatic play, fine motor activities, and even introduce toddlers to foundational STEM concepts. And no worries if you don’t have these items around the house, they all cost less than your average toy and nearly every item can be purchased secondhand! Active Play Balloons I can’t overstress the convenience of having a pack of inflatable balloons on hand year round. Kids still adore a classic game of Don’t Let the Balloon Touch the Ground, also known as Keepy Uppy! Literally, blow up a balloon, tie it, and throw it to your kid, they’ll naturally dive in to give it a hit, and stay busy for a solid 30 minutes or longer! Why do kids love playing with balloons? Kids love playing with balloons because they’re so light and move through the air slower than balls. Toddlers appear to be excited by the slower speed of the light ball and perceive it to be easier for them to catch the balloon. What tends to happen is the light weight of the balloon makes it a lot harder for them to predict where the balloon will ultimately land. So, younger toddlers end up having less chances to catch the balloon (they can generally expect balls to land somewhere very close to their hands). However, they do spend a lot of time eagerly and blissfully running after the balloon– which makes balloon play awesome for active play! Safety Note: Balloon play should be supervised for kids ages 1-2, and/or amongst kids that mouth toys Developmental Benefits: Gross motor skills; eye-hand coordination; spatial reasoning Teaches: Problem solving; perseverance Laundry Baskets While your laundry basket may be full of a pile of laundry, I invite you to dump it out every now and then and let your kiddos play with it. Laundry baskets are especially handy for sibling play! Older siblings often have younger siblings hop in the basket and push them around the house. In doing so, the older sibling gets a good workout in, while releasing a lot of energy. Typically, the younger sibling will unsuccessfully try to role reverse and attempt to push their older sibling around. After struggling for a few minutes, the younger sibling learns the limits of their strength and also gets a good workout in. Kids can also use laundry baskets for imaginative play– a classic hamper can resemble a boat, perfect for pairing with a magnetic fishing game. Have child sit in the boat and distribute the fish around the boat. Then have the child use magnetic fishing rods to reach out of the boat and catch the magnetic fish. Safety Note: This activity is best suited for the first or main floor of the house. Avoid having kids do this on the upper floors of your house unless you have a baby gate blocking all staircases. Tip: Works best on carpeted flooring. Developmental Benefits: gross motor skills; balance; coordination; spatial awareness; proprioceptive input Teaches: self-awareness; collaboration; imagination Travel-Size Spray Bottles I recommend toddler-friendly spray bottles often because they’re perfectly designed for small hands. When filled with water, toddlers can easily use these for play in a variety of ways, including: outdoor water play; sensory play; cleaning toys; and even for art activities. Developmental Benefits: fine motor skills; cause & effect; hand-eye coordination Teaches: self-awareness; autonomy Dramatic Play Tea Light Candles (Battery Powered) When I worked at a nursery school, a bright 2 year old showed up to our classroom with a handful of battery powered tea light candles. Her mom raved about how much fun her daughter had finding creative ways to use the tea lights throughout the weekend and gifted them to our classroom. For days we watched kids play with (and fight over) the tea lights until it was time to rotate the toys. Needless to say, I added tea light candles to my toy box and have used them with many other toddlers. Here are a few use cases: Dramatic Play: pretend campfire; fancy dinner; DIY lantern) Constructive x Pretend Play: used to light up magna-tile building; dollhouse accessory; Encanto prop Mini Flashlights Toddlers marvel at the literal and figurative power mini flashlights bring them, but also, flashlights are just flat out fun! You'll likely find kiddos turning off all the lights and going off on an adventure in the dark! Why do kids love playing with flashlights and tea lights? Kids love playing with flashlights and tea lights because it provides them with a bite-size piece of autonomy. The autonomy comes in the form of being in charge of their own light source that they can freely control with the flick of a switch. Flashlights also allow toddlers to explore familiar surroundings from a new perspective and even taps into a comfortable dose of scary play, which I’ll write about soon! Developmental Benefits: perception; observation; cause & effect; intro to STEM (concepts of light and shadow) Teaches: autonomy; conservation Lululemon Bags Throughout toddlerhood, kids pretend to go shopping. Lululemon bags happen to make great reusable bag props. Kids can comfortably pack, unload, and carry around play food or toys without trouble. Standard reusable bags are half the size of toddlers, which makes them awkward for them to carry and usually results in toddlers dragging the bags. Not to worry, you don’t have to buy anything from Lululemon to get your hands on one of their reusable shopping bags! It turns out that Lululemon bags are very easy to find at the thrift store. In fact, I’ve purchased them for as cheap as 49 cents at a local Amvets! Why are Lululemon bags good for dramatic play? The design and the size of the bags is the true value. To be clear, it’s less about the brand and more about the function and convenience of the mini reusable bags–  they’re perfectly shaped for tiny humans to hold and handle with ease. If you have a Wegmans in your region, they also sell this size. On rare occasions, you can find them around the checkout area of Target. To my knowledge, Lululemon is the only national retailer that widely distributes this size bag. Additionally, the snap button adds more appeal for toddlers. Nonetheless, if you happen to wear a lot of Lululemon branded clothing, your kiddo will be stoked to carry around a bag with the same logo as their caregiver. Toddlers love reenacting home life! Developmental Benefits: coordination; balance; object manipulation Teaches: independence; body-awareness (hey, I’m strong enough to carry groceries); responsibility (I can help my family carry bags when we go shopping) Intro to STEM & Fine Motor Skills Calculators Kids love pressing buttons (occasionally yours), but calculators are a great screen-free and sound-free way to entertain kiddos. Why do toddlers like playing with calculators? Calculators allow toddlers and even big kids to explore the depths of numbers freely. Developmental Benefits: Intro to STEM (early numeracy (number recognition); number exploration; counting; mathematical thinking) Teaches: curiosity; problem solving Sensory Bin Tools Sensory bins are a playground for the imagination, and you don't need specialized equipment to create one. Everyday items like measuring cups, clear containers, Tupperware, and even clear lids from Seventh Generation detergent can be repurposed for endless fun. These tools are excellent for scooping and pouring, helping little ones refine their motor skills. Even old toothbrushes can be included for a unique twist, allowing toddlers to practice cleaning their toys while they play. This kind of creative reuse not only sparks joy in kids but also teaches them valuable lessons in sustainability. Measuring cups, clear containers, tupperware, clear Seventh Generation detergent lids Good for scooping, pouring, Developmental Benefits: cause & effect; object manipulation; hand-eye coordination; observation Teaches: resourcefulness; curiosity Reusable Ice Cubes Have any reusable ice cubes in the freezer? These are perfect for little hands and can turn sensory play into a sensational experience. Kids love exploring the cool, smooth texture of the ice cubes and naturally turn to counting, stacking, and sorting them. The cubes can be played with inside an empty sensory bin or with water play. In water, toddlers can scoop, transfer, and watch them float. Developmental Skills: fine motor skills; sensory exposure; pattern recognition; exploration of cause & effect Teaches: curiosity; observation Colanders Sure, colanders are useful for straining water, but they’re even more useful as a toy for toddlers to practice fine motor skills. Flip a colander over and voila, you have a tool for kids to feed pointy objects through! Examples: DIY flower bouquet; heart stick bouquet Developmental Skills: precision; planning; cause & effect; spatial reasoning Teaches: diligence; attentiveness Before purchasing another toy, take a minute to be mindful of what you already have around the house— your set of hair rollers just might be your toddlers new favorite toy!

No pool in your backyard? You’re not alone— only around 15% of households in the U.S. have swimming pools. But that doesn’t mean your toddler can’t enjoy the benefits of a pool without actually having one. Let’s take a look at some water play supplies you can start gathering now to keep your kiddo cool all summer long! Supplies for Epic Water Play Fun Sensory Bins Toddler-friendly Spray Bottle Bubbles Household Toys Sponge Brushes Old Toothbrushes Sprinkler or Splash Pad Plastic Ice Cubes Sensory Bins A few years ago, Target came out with clear personal size storage bins and you know what they're perfect for? Cheap sensory bins! The clear transparency of the bins provides toddlers with a comprehensive visual of the materials inside the container. The low height of the bins make them ideal for kids to easily reach in and start playing. Plus, they don't require much water to fill up and are easier to dump and/or move to a shady area than say a water table. If you're not convinced yet, a Target reviewer of these bins, named Cathy, wrote, "These are awesome for sensory bins! I love that they fit a good amount and are shallow so my son can reach in and play while seated at the table!" Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Exposure Toddler-Friendly Spray Bottle These travel size spray bottles are an easy way to keep kids cool while encouraging independent play! Fill these little guys up with fresh cold water before heading outside and watch your little one find endless uses! They're basically designed for small hands to manipulate with complete ease and the only setting is a mist. There isn't knob to adjust for a direct squirt, which means your kiddo will not have to constantly run over to you asking for help adjusting the setting. Adult-size tools and supplies aren't always optimal for toddlers. Would you give a toddler adult-size scissors to use? Of course not! Sure, there's a significant risk of injury, but my main concern with this scenario is the fact that it's asking a toddler to demonstrate advanced fine motor skills (scissor handles are heavy). Two and 3 year-olds should be focused on developing muscle strength in their little hands. Mastery with tools takes time and lots of practice to develop. These spray bottles are also a gentle method of exposing sensory avoidant kids to sensory play. Over the years, I've worked with a handful of kids that have been scared of to run through a sprinkler, but none have ever been scared of getting misted with these spray bottles or trying them out. I first came across these spray bottles at my local Wegmans (in the travel-size section). But, you can also find them on Amazon. Tip: The travel size spray bottles you typically find at Target or Walmart are bit larger in size, which is why I recommend the Good-to-Go travel size spray bottles, especially for younger toddlers. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills (good practice with hand-eye coordination), Active Play (physical activity), Mindfulness of the Environment Bubbles There are many reliable bubble solution recipes floating around out there (get it)? For the sake of time and water waste, I pass on making my own bubbles- the margin for error and waste is just too high. Instead, I buy a huge bottle of bubble solution from Target (128 oz.). This bottle will likely last you all season long. I've tested many bubble solution brands over the years. These bubbles are the most bubbly, most reliable and most affordable on the market- only $5! This jug of bubbles can be used to refill personal size kid's bubbles, fill up bubble machines, and as soap solution for cleaning toys in sensory bins. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Emotional Regulation (learning not to get too upset if/when they can't blow a bubble), Patience, Cognitive Development (exploration of cause & effect), Sensory Exposure Household Toys Not many parents realize that you don't HAVE to buy new toys for summer. Pull out an old clear tupperware container or buy one of the sensory bin containers mentioned above, throw in some bubble solution, water, and repurpose toys you already have around the house! Open up your notes app and make a quick list of your kid’s toys that dry fairly easily. The next time you need to keep a kid busy, challenge them to get their favorite action figure or barbie really dirty outside. Then, ask them to give the toy a bath in the sensory bin. This short video has some other ideas you can try using this approach! -> Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Problem Solving (what can and can't be washed? how long will an object take to dry?), Patience (waiting for toys or objects to dry) Sponge Brushes Unsurprisingly, sponge brushes are great at absorbing water. They're fairly cheap, you can find them at the Dollar Tree or a larger pack from the craft store. Sponge brushes can also be used for indoor crafts on a rainy day. These brushes are good for painting wooden crafts and/or as a mixing tool with a shaving cream activity. Developmental Benefits: Fine motor skills, Cognitive Development (exploration of cause & effect), Creativity Old Toothbrushes Instead of throwing away your kid's old worn toothbrush, store it with sensory play supplies. Toothbrushes are easier for small hands to manipulate than dish brushes. When washing small toys like Hot Wheels or even seashells, smaller bristle heads allow toddlers to take their time as they bathe or clean their toys. During the activities where they use toothbrushes, kids tend to be a lot more mindful and observant of the qualities of the toys or objects they're cleaning. I often hear kids excitingly point out something about a toy that they never noticed before. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Language Development (practice communicating observations), Mindfulness Sprinkler or Splash Pad Sprinklers are more than just practical tools for watering your lawn— they're often a source of pure joys for many kids! Splash pads are one of the most convenient ways to cool down a toddler while they play independently. Both sprinklers and splash pads present little to no risk of drowning for toddlers, so constant supervision isn't required 100% of the time. That means, you can take take a breather, grab some water, and even load the dishwasher before returning outside to play with your kiddo! Developmental Benefits: Gross Motor Skills (running, jumping), Active Play, Sensory Exposure Plastic Ice Cubes Throughout the summer, keep a bag of small plastic ice cubes in the freezer. Ice cubes are a sensational addition to sensory bin play. I've also worked with many 2-3 year olds that enjoy stacking the cubes to form a tower or sorting them into to make patterns. Note: Most 2 year olds will require monitoring while playing with these cubes considering they can be a choking hazard. Developmental Benefits: Fine Motor Skills, Sensory Exposure, Pattern Recognition, Cognitive Development (exploration of cause & effect) Common Questions About Water Play: