31 days of unplugged play: newspaper hats

by on October 29, 2012
in crafts · 1 Comment

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

Today’s unplugged play idea is to make newspaper hats.  (Or construction paper or newsprint or even junk mail taped together into large sheets – use what you have on hand, no pressure and no “right” or “wrong” okay?).

Make hats for your kids, make hats for yourself, make smaller hats for the dolls and stuffed animals if the mood strikes.  Decorate them fancy with glitter and glue and feathers, or leave them simple.  

So, how do you make a newspaper hat?

Follow along and my kids and I will show you!
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31 days of unplugged play: Knock! Knock!

by on October 27, 2012
in play learn explore · 3 Comments

We’re a little off course with the 31 Days of Unplugged Play series, but I promise you that I will get all 31 posts up to share with you.  It may take me a few days into November, but I figured most of you probably don’t mind.

Today’s unplugged play idea is a super simple one:  make your kids laugh.  Tell knock knock jokes!

Knock-Knock joke, pun, or ooga-booga, I love the sound of my children laughing. A good day is a day that is full of giggles and silliness, don’t you agree? 

Because I know that we all love giggling with our kids, I’m sharing a few of our favorite jokes with you:

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31 days of unplugged play: stacking and building

by on October 20, 2012
in play learn explore · 2 Comments

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

Today’s unplugged play idea is stacking.

This is an activity that can be adapted to all ages:  babies love to knock things down or older kids might appreciate the challenge of building a card house.  There is a wide range of appeal and ability for this play idea.

Supplies and materials

Things to that you can stack:

  • blocks
  • plastic cups
  • playing cards
  • dominos
  • flat, smooth stones
  • shoeboxes

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31 days of unplugged play: junk mail art projects

by on October 18, 2012
in crafts · 4 Comments

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

Today’s unplugged play idea is to create some art with a junk mail and other items.

Have fun creating art with items that might otherwise go straight into the recycling bin.  This is a neat project to do with your child.  When is the last time you sat down and made some artwork together?

Supplies and materials

  • paper, cardboard, yarn, foil, etc.
  • heavy paper or cardboard to create your art on
  • glue or tape
  • a bit of patience for the drying time if you’re using glue

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31 days of unplugged play: apple orchard playscape

by on October 16, 2012
in play learn explore · 3 Comments

Written by Kara Fleck, Simple Kids editor and Rockin’ Granola mama.

We are continuing  our series on Unplugged Play. During week one, we set up a Story Themed Playscape for your kids.  Last week, we created a garden themed playscape.

Today we’re going to visit the apple orchard (at least via playscape, though this would make a fun unplugged activity before or after a trip to a real apple orchard).

What is a playscape? A playscape is simply a scene that is put together to inspire creative play around a theme. You are “setting the stage” so to speak.

Supplies and materials

  • something to use as “apples” (we had some felt apples, but you could use balled up socks, tiny play silks, make some from paper, etc)
  • a little basket, bowl, or something to “gather” with

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