Child expert Wendy Toone offers fun ways to expand your child’s mind during the dog days of summer.
We may be in knee deep in those lazy, hazy days of summer, but that doesn’t mean we still can’t keep our kids active with challenging games and activities that will keep their minds buzzing. In fact, here are some great rainy day and car ride activities that will challenge your kids to think on their feet!
1. Mind games can keep boredom away as well as physical activity. Even small children can follow an adjusted version of “I Spy.” Just be sure that the clues are age appropriate and not too tricky. Look for easy to spot shapes, bright colors, or unique characteristics (animals, common objects such as pencils, etc.). Remember to let them give you the clues, too, to really work their brains. Finding an object is different than coming up with a clue for an object.
2. Once your child is a little older, around 4 years or so, theme games can be played. A favorite (still) of my kids is the animal game. “I Spy”-like clues can be given, but your child must rely on their memory and knowledge of animals instead of looking for pictures or representations of them. These types of games are great for long car rides, and you can make them more challenging, as your children get older. Go in order through the alphabet…”I have a long nose and tongue” = Aardvark (or anteater, both will work in this case); “I’m totally white and live in the cold” = Beluga whale. Get it?
3. READ, READ, READ. Reading to your child, no matter how young, increases their vocabulary, imagination, and overall cognitive abilities. Hearing language creates synapses – the connection of brain cells. Most of us parents think that reading at bedtime is sufficient. And while bedtime stories create a wonderful bonding time between parent and child, so can reading a story with your child snuggled on your lap in a waiting room. Granted, you can’t be expected to tote a small library around with you at all times. But if you know your day will include a little waiting time, why not pop your child’s favorite book in the day bag. Or maybe a story you haven’t yet read to them? Or take advantage of digital children’s books that can be downloaded to your cell phone or iPod? These digital books can do double duty, as oftentimes they are books that are enhanced with narration (sometimes even music and sound effects are added), so your little one can hear the book as they see the words on your phone or iPod screen.
So the next time you find yourself exasperated trying to tame the savage beast that is a toddler with nothing to do, try a few of these tips. Not all of them will work at all times or in every situation. But hopefully if nothing else, it will spark your creativity to engage your child and use your waiting time as teaching time. For there is no better teacher for a child than his or her own parent. Good luck!!!
Wendy Toone is a child expert having owned and operated a leading franchise children’s fitness center and now producing MobiStories, Digital Books for KidsTM, as well as being a mom to her two children. To experience the world of digital children’s picture books, visit www.mobistories.com.
To download a free copy of Mommy’s High Heel Shoes for your PC or Mac, visit MobiStories.com and enter the promo code: MHHS0710. The offer expires 8/22.Mommy’s High Heel Shoes is also available for download as an app via the iPod Touch, iPhone and iPad in the iTunes store where you can check out more great story apps from MobiStories: To order a hard cover copy of Kristie Finnan’s book, Mommy’s High Heeled shoes, visit her at KristieFinnan.com.
*This advertorial post is sponsored by the Role Mommy Writers Network.
Mom Central is throwing a great, big summer bash and you’re invited. They have just launched the Mom Central Summer Giveaway Bonanza and all you have to do to enter for a chance to win some really great prizes is become a Mom Central member and leave a comment on the giveaway you want to enter. That’s all there is to it and you could win yourself some great things to help make the best of the rest of your summer season and beyond.
This is the first week of the summer giveaway bonanza and already up for grabs is a Street Surfing Whiplash Scooter, Stepping Stones Together Reading Program, Manhattan Appetizer Plates from Trudeau, a Project Runway Beach Tote and Prize Pack, as well as many other prizes you’ll definitely want to check out. Each week a new batch of fun prizes will be added, so be sure to keep going back to check them out.
The Mom Central Giveaway Bonanza will last for the next few weeks and you’re sure to find something (or many somethings) that you can’t help but start lusting after. So go check it out, enter to win some prizes and good luck!
And after you’ve entered to win the prizes of your dreams at the Summer Giveaway Bonanza, you can always head on over to the Mom Central Coupons, Giveaways and Freebies blog that is updated weekly with tons of great deals and free stuff.
As we head into the last month of summer vacation, a lot of families are making the last of their plans for their upcoming family vacations. The worst thing parents can hear while on their summer vacations is “I’m bored!” from their kids and that is precisely why Marriott has just launched a new promotion that is guaranteed to keep kids occupied and happy throughout their stay.
When you stay at any of the 2,000 Marriott locations, including Courtyard, Fairfield Inn & Suites, SpringHill Suites, Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites locations, you can arrange to “Nickelodeon Your Stay”. The package includes a ton of free items, including a SpongeBob activity bag and splash ball, Nickelodeon sunglasses and a 3-D build-your-own SpongeBob craft. The Nickelodeon Your Stay packages at Marriott and JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts include all of the above items as well as a SpongeBob SquarePants or Dora the Explorer pillowcase and storybook.
Visit NickelodeonYourStay.com for all of the information you’ll need on how to Nickelodeon Your Stay when you stay at any Marriott location during your family vacation. You will also find free, downloadable Nickelodeon-themed travel games, a travel journal, a travel bingo game and coloring sheets.
To celebrate the addition of the Nickelodeon Your Stay packages at the Marriott locations, Mom Central is hosting a Twitter party on Thursday, July 29th at 3:00PM EST. During the Twitter Party you will be able to talk about summer vacation plans, tips for traveling with kids and you will also have the chance to win $50 and really awesome Marriott/Nickelodeon prizes.
A child will begin to balance on one foot by the time they’re 3 years old and they should be able to hop between 3 1/2 and 4 years of age.
There are several activities and toys that will promote your child’s ability to balance and hop on one foot. One incredibly easy trick is to roll balls to your child and have them put one of their feet on the ball and roll it under their foot and kick it back. You can also get some sidewalk chalk and draw a line for your child to stand behind and draw a target close to them that they can try to hop to. By gradually increase the distance you ask your child to hop to, their ability to hop will dramatically improve. While you have the sidewalk chalk out, draw a hopscotch to play with your child.
If you forget how to draw a hopscotch (I know it has been quite a few years since you were playing hopscotch at recess), check out eBeanstalk’s Smiley Face Hopscotch.
Playground fun takes on a happy face year round with this Smiley Face Hopscotch game. Smiley face and numbered mats fit together easily for safe play that builds balance and coordination skills. Six foam mats and two foam pucks come neatly packed in a tote bag. Assembled set covers approximately a 6 x 2 space. All sets come in a soft, clear, plastic carry case. (ages 3+, $21.95)
The Wobble Deck is another toy that promotes great balance. Put your balancing skills to the test with the Wobble Deck Game. It?s an electronic balance challenge, with three multi-level balance games: Memory Match, Speed Play and Freestyle. Includes sturdy balance board with two volume settings and three game variations. Requires 3 “AA” batteries, not included. (ages 5+, $49.95)
The Hop 45 ball is made from super strong, yet (latex-free) soft vinyl material and has a special patented handgrip safety handle. Hop 45 can be used indoors or outdoors and inflates easily with a hand or foot pump. It?s hard to find good gifts for 3 year olds, but this toy is one of the best! (ages 3+, $29.95)
The key to helping your child balance, stand on one foot and hop is to make it extremely fun for them and not frustrating.
Pop On Pals is a line of exciting and imaginative toys for toddlers I was recently introduced to thanks to Team Mom.
Pop On Pals is a world of fun for children ages two to four. The entire line of toys include 2 in 1 Mix & Match Fun Pal Packs, Playsets, 2 ‘n 1 Vehicles, Deluxe Vehicles, Mix ‘n Match Deluxe Ring Packs and Pet Packs. We were able to receive one of the Pop On Pals playsets–the amusement park playset, which is a playset that includes a strong man striker, a roller coaster, a milk toss game, a dragon swing and a musical Ferris wheel, all in one easy to move, plastic set.
The entire set also includes one pal and three park themed easy pop-on rings which you can switch your pal into depending on what they are doing while at the amusement park.
If your pal is riding the roller coaster, put on the ring that shows your pal’s hands in the air, there’s also a ring with a mallet to play with the strong man striker and also a standard yellow ring for when your pal is doing anything else. If you collect more than one playset or purchase additional pals, you can mix and match their rings and create endless possibilities when it comes to playing with Pop On Pals.
If you’re looking at the easy pop-on rings wondering just how easy they are to change, here is a very short video tutorial (a whole 16 seconds!) from my four-year-old stepdaughter explaining the whole process to her dad.
The amusement park playset lights up and has sound and music, which will really make the playset come to life and will keep your child busy for quite a while. This playset is really great for younger children, the only thing I really wish it came with is an extra pal. The playset only had one pal included, which is pretty boring even if a child is playing with it by themselves because they can’t make their pals interact with each other. In my case, it was quite challenging because we had two kids that both wanted to play with the amusement park playset at the same time. Of course, you can purchase additional pals, but I do think the playset should come with at least two.
This is a toy that will most definitely be on any small child’s Christmas list this year. Pop On Pals are available at most major locations where toys are sold, such as Target, Kmart, Toys R Us, and others.
A big thanks to Team Mom for giving us the opportunity to try out the amusement park playset from Pop On Pals.
Summer brings a great change of pace to our lives. The kids are out of school and are now home all day long; of course, much of that time is spent telling you how bored they are. It’s incredibly easy for kids to fall into a routine of doing not much else besides vegging in front of the television. I remember back when I was a kid and summer was the greatest time ever. This, however, was before so much technology took over our lives; before there were interactive games for young children or computers or whatever else is keeping your child occupied–but indoors.
While you may have some great activities or family vacations planned where your children will be getting out and having a great time, they can still have a lot of fun on your average summer day right in your backyard. Here are some fantastic children’s toys that will make any kid excited to get out of the house and play.
My First Bubbles Peek-a-Boo Surprise
Ages 18 months and up
No streams of bubbles going everywhere, no spills, and no sticky hands here. My First Bubbles Peek-a-Boo Surprise is a no-spill toy where toddlers simply pull down the handle for endless bubbles to begin emerging from the spout of a friendly whale hiding inside. This toy uniquely combines a game of Peek-a-Boo with bubbles and will delight and entertain your toddler while also teaching them action and response.
Gather & Grille Playhouse
Ages 1.5 and up
Your child will have their very own place to hang out with their friends while you and yours mingle on the patio furniture. The Gather & Grille Playhouse will let your child mimic you by giving them their very own grill, a patio area, and a bench for two. There is a built-in kitchen with sink and fun decals, an electronic doorbell, and includes a 5-piece accessory set.
Makin’ Mud Pies
Ages 2 and up
Making mud pies are a timeless childhood activity. Every kid does it, but not every kid is lucky enough to have an awesome outdoor kitchen set solely dedicated to mud. The Makin’ Mud Pies kitchen set has a hand-crank mud mixer that pivots up and down, it has a real working sink that uses a water reservoir to make sure their dirt can be turned into sufficient mud, and no batteries are needed.
Cannonball Splash Water Slide
Ages 5 and up
Lazy, hazy summer days can get the best of us all. Set up the Cannonball Splash Water Slide for your kids and they’ll be cooled down and having a blast. This water slide is definitely one of the cooler ones I’ve seen. It is 13 feet in size with a huge 8 foot splash pool with a comfortable landing pad, so no one is going to get hurt in a freak water slide accident.
Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast
Ages 6 and up
Who can’t remember playing with water guns as a kid? Whether your kid is running all over the backyard with their friends in a game of water wars or sneaking up on you and soaking you when you least expect it, the Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast is a must-have summer toy item. Just slide the air-powered water blaster’s pump handle forward to load and then slide it backward to blast a stream of water that will travel up to 25 feet.
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If you forget how to draw a hopscotch (I know it has been quite a few years since you were playing hopscotch at recess), check out eBeanstalk’s 
The 
The 
My First Bubbles Peek-a-Boo Surprise
Makin’ Mud Pies
Cannonball Splash Water Slide
Nerf Super Soaker Shot Blast
