Call me a dork, but I’ve always loved board games. Even in high school and college, my friends and I were all about taking over the world in Risk or becoming the next Picasso in Pictionary.

We’d play thinker games, party games, ridiculous made up games…

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here.

I’ve had the incredible privilege to work with youth most of my life. One of the things I love about teens is that they’re always up for a game. (Thanks for keeping me young guys!)

Unfortunately, many games didn’t work with just two people.  

So upon getting married, I began my quest to find good games for two. We’ve found some keepers for sure!

Here’s just a few of our favorite two player board games:

Azul

This pattern creating game seems simple, but the layers of strategy make each game fun and exciting! Bonus, no reading required, so you can play it with your younger kids if they enjoy thinking games. When my dad played this with us during a visit, he immediately got on his phone and ordered one!

Trekking Through History: The Board Game

Ok, I am SO impressed with this game! Much like Wingspan (which I review a little further down in this article), Trekking Through History is a really fun play, with plenty of strategy and variety WHILE incorporating TONS of learning! Some “educational” games are boring or only fun once, while others are fun but there’s very little learning happening beyond a cute theme. This game is neither of those options and I’m a massive fan! The creators of this one have a couple other “Trekking” games that I plan to check out.

Jaipur Board Game

This game is ONLY for two players. It’s quick to learn, lovely graphics, and a lot of fun. Simple trading type game. Doesn’t take very long so it’s a good one for killing time in an enjoyable way without getting waste deep in strategy or world building games. 

The Quacks of Quedlinburg

This game has such a unique and whimsical backstory. Add ingredients to you cauldron, earning more points as you go, but be careful not to explode! Lots or replayability and strategy, but still fun even if you don’t want to take it too seriously.  

Monopoly Deal Card Game

This game is really nothing like monopoly. I mean, it’s still fun and cut throat, but it’s also fast paced and gives you more control than lady luck. Everyone we’ve introduced this to has loved it! You can play with two people or a bunch of people. Back when this first came out, it was only $5. Now it’s $8 and I can’t seem to find it anywhere but Amazon.

7 Wonders

When our boys studied ancient history, I decided to pick up this game and boy am I glad! This is our currently family favorite (and my husband and I play it by ourselves all the time too!). Each player picks one of the seven wonders of the ancient world to build their civilization around. I will admit that this game seemed EXTREMELY complicated when we were trying to understand the instructions. We watched a youtube video of how to play it, and once you see it in action, it’s not nearly so hard to understand. Our six year old played it with us just fine (though he is an experienced gamer). I love that 2-7 players can play this without needed an expansion pack! We’ve been playing this gamer regularly for six months and it’s still one I’m itching to play! It also is a decently short game 20-40 minutes and that doesn’t really increase with the number of players since everyone plays at once. 

Forbidden Island 

This is a cooperative board game that is fun to play with lots of ages. I think it’s games like this that have helped our boys be comfortable with games that are geared for higher ages. Something about having to discuss strategies and options out loud together prepares them for higher level thinking. As few as two people can work together to keep their island from flooding while they race to gather artifacts from around the island. Each player is assigned a unique skill set and you’ll have to work together to keep from being swept away.

Qwirkle is like Scrabble for those of us who can’t spell. (Oh man, I misspelled Scrabble the first time. Yikes.) At first it seems too easy and childlike. Then half way through your first game, it dawns on you all the strategies you’ve been missing. This is super fun and can double as a learning game for younger kids!

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER FAMILY GAMES THAT DOUBLE AS PRESCHOOL LEARNING TOOLS

Lost Cities – The Board Game

In this game, players have five explorers that journey down five different paths to uncover treasures and artifacts. The further you go down the path, the more points. But be aware, you can actually get negative points if you start an explorer and he doesn’t get very far. 

Wingspan with Swift Start Pack

This game knows the way to my heart. The game play itself is really fun! Similar to 7 Wonders in that there are many ways to earn points throughout the game from bird cards, eggs, bonus points, attacks etc. It takes a game or two to get the hang of the way this game works, but once you get used to it, the strategies are infinite and exciting. But what I simply adore about this game is it’s beauty and accuracy. Each bird (and there are no repeats in nearly 100 cards!) is gorgeously illustrated and everything about their “powers” are accurate from amount of eggs they lay, to wingspan size, habitat, and food choices. We learn SO much and it all feels so lovely!

Pandemic  Another team cooperative game! It’s all of your friends against disease spreading rampant throughout the world. Each player has their own roles and strength. You have to strategize together to save the world. More complex than Forbidden Island, but more robust. 

Rummikub is a classic tile game where you try and play all of your tiles down before your opponents. Runs and straights are the basic structures but you can rearrange already played tiles as long as they abide by the rules when you’re all done. It’s a good time!

Imhotep Builder of Egypt 

This game is fun and frustrating! Each player has blocks that they want to add to Egypt’s monuments and buildings. The more of your blocks that you add to the pyramid, obelisk, burial chamber and the temple, the more points you get. But those blocks have to sail on ships and sometimes the other player gets to steer those ships before you’re ready. Lots of strategy, yet lots of chance makes this game tons of fun for two to four players.

Sushi Go! – The Pick and Pass Card Game

You don’t have to like sushi to get a giggle out of this game! Build points by collecting similar sushi rolls but good luck because every turn you pass your entire hand on to the other player. When played with two people, strategy is pretty essential while playing with a bigger group makes it easier for younger kids to get lucky and win. 

Dominion is pretty new to me, but I’m loving it! It’s a card game where you keep buying cards and trying to have the ultimate deck with which to get the most victory points. It sounds lame, but each time you play is unique because you use different action cards each time. (Some action cards are mean, like the spy, while others are good news for everyone.) You’ll just have to try it, you won’t be disappointed. (There are expansion packs to this game, be sure you get the original Dominion first since it’s necessary for all other games.)

Liar’s Dice. Oh my goodness, this game is a riot. Call your partner’s bluff and watch them turn beet red. Simple to get the hang of and not a time consuming game. Good for smaller groups as well. (Or over skype when your friends live too far away!)

These are just a couple of our favorite two person (or more) board games. Do you have a favorite game? I’m ALWAYS up for suggestions! Comment below!

The post Board Games for Two People (Or More) appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

My husband had just come home from work and asked me in exasperation “Is there a point to these sensory bins?”

Sure, they seem to be a lot more work than they’re worth. Most end up being rather messy, or sometimes rejected by your kids.

So what are those benefits of sensory bins? What’s all the fuss about?

How can sensory bins help your child have a healthier sensory system?

Sensory bins are a fun, non-threatening ways to introduce a child to something they typically avoid (sand? water? certain fabrics?).

Many kids have aversions to certain textures. But a sensory bin can help them forget their fear. They are just so inviting, many kids can overcome their initial hesitancy and enjoy a new experience.

Maybe your child is a seeker. Maybe they LOVE the feel of water, or silky scarves. Sensory bins can be an excellent socially acceptable way to give your child the sensory input they are craving!

All you need is a “base” material (water, rice, beans, cotton balls) and some manipulatives to add like spoons, toy cars, or little figurines.

You can use more than hands! The whole body can get involved with sensory bins! Think about a ball pit or a swimming pool as giant sensory bins!

But even if you’re still using the typical small bin, you could invite your child to place their feet in sand or crunch dry leaves. See if they’d like to touch a feather to their cheek or run an ice cube on their leg.

But ALWAYS follow their lead and never force anything. The key to the success of a sensory bin is FUN!

Don’t worry, it’s ok if your sensory bin looks “boring”. You’re not trying to go viral on Pinterest or get more followers on Instagram! You’d be shocked how long kids can be entertained by some dry rice and a couple cups and scoops!

If you child isn’t a fan, try something else, but a couple days later, circle back to the first sensory bin. Sometimes kids don’t “dig in” until they’re presented with the same bin seven times! Don’t get hurt feelings and don’t put any pressure on your child. Remember, FUN!

Want help getting started? My friend Susie is the queen of sensory bins (and being hilariously down-to-earth) and she show you how to set up your very first sensory bin!

Need some ideas for bins that you can do TODAY???

Here’s a bunch of sensory bins I’ve personally done with my kids that were a HUGE hit! (Don’t have time to look at the massive sensory bin list just right now??? Save it to Pinterest (HERE) so you can peruse it when you have five minutes!

The post Why Sensory Bins Help Kids with SPD appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

Have you heard of the tradition of wrapping 12 or 24 Christmas books and opening one a day leading up to Christmas? We’re attempting that this year and I AM STOKED!

Whether you plan to go all out or you’re looking to add a couple classic Christmas books to your library, this list is full of classic, gorgeous, and heartfelt living books. These stories will come alive in your child and truly help to shape their character. (Can you tell I’m passionate about reading aloud to my kids?)

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy here. 

So, without further ado and in no particular order…

Twenty-five Picture Books for Advent

The Nutcracker: (The Story Orchestra)  Tells the story of the Nutcracker along with buttons that play the classic piece by Tchaikovsky. Captivating illustrations.

The Gift of the Magi O. Henry’s classic tale illustrated with poignant beauty. Grab this book when you want to promote a selfless Christmas attitude.

An Orange for Frankie Anything by Patricia Polacco is worth buying. Her true tales will grip your and your child’s heart and inspire character growth.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story It’s illustrated by the Caldecott Queen Barbara Cooney. Good luck finishing this one without crying.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey Many folks all-time favorite Christmas books. A true classic and so so beautiful.

Mary, Did You Know?: The Story of God’s Great Plan The popular hymn gorgeously illustrated and brought to life for a whole new audience.

The Little Drummer Boy Written by the famous Ezra Jack Keats (think The Snowy Day), this book tell the story of a little boy wanting to bless Jesus with what little he has.

Christmas Day in the Morning A lovely tale of a boy who serves his father as a sweet Christmas present.

The Story of Christmas The Biblical Christmas story, illustrated with stunningly bright and intricate pictures.

The Legend of the Candy Cane This book teaches kids the symbolism behind the beloved candy cane. My boys have to try not to drool over the candy store in this book.

The Legend of the Christmas Tree Find out the meaning behind the tradition of the Christmas tree!

Legend of the Christmas Stocking Why stockings? This book will show your kids the fun story behind the tradition.

Who is Coming to Our House? The nativity seen from the animals perspective. Great for the younger crowd.

The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy Heartwarming tale of a sweet puppy that desperately wants a boy for Christmas. If you’re not in the market for a dog, this might not be a wise choice. You’ve been warned.

Itsy Bitsy Christmas: You’re Never Too Little for His Love Came highly recommended by a friend. A reminder that even the littlest person is loved by our Savior.

M Is for Manger Fun book that highlights the Biblical story of Christmas as it goes through the alphabet. Another preschooler favorite!

Annika’s Secret Wish This Swedish tale showcases a young girl’s selfless dreams. The back of the book includes Swedish Christmas traditions you can start with your family.

The Legend of Mistletoe and the Christmas Kittens Written in rhyme, this book gets read at my house all year. Mistletoe the cat looks different than everyone else and feels very alone, until one very special Christmas Eve.

A Christmas Like Helen’s Get a gorgeous peek into what Christmas was like in yesteryear.

Song of the Stars: A Christmas Story This was written by the same author as the Jesus Storybook Bible. Need I say more?

Christmas at Long Pond Go on a Christmas tree hunt and learn about nature at the same time!

The Christmas Promise See how Jesus is the long and expectant King promised long ago! Helps kids see the Bible as one big story, not just random unconnected stories.

Polar Express 30th anniversary edition It’s a classic. It’s beautiful. Read it to your kids.

The Twelve Days of Christmas The popular song is gorgeously illustrated by the renowned Jan Brett.

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree A sweet and humorous Christmas story that will make your kids’ head spin.

Need more suggestions? Check out my favorite picks for that focus on the Christmas story!

The post 24 Days of Christmas Books for Advent appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

“HEY COOOWWW!”

My brother made a valiant effort to sweet talk the herd of cows into looking up, as our family car flew by their field at 65 miles an hour.

We were on yet another road trip, and to pass the time, we were screaming at cattle; attempting to earn points in a ridiculous game.

I’ve always loved road trips with my family. For days beforehand, we’d pack and plan; not just for the destination, but for the journey itself.

The boredom and the new scenery set the stage for some of my most memorable laughs with family and friends.

But now that I’m a mother of little ones, road trips don’t seem quite so happy and carefree. I want my boys to collect similar memories and bonding time, so when we hit the road, I don’t want to plug in some device and have everyone retreat to their own little world.

If you’re wanting a similar experience for your family as you travel, try these activities.

Thank you to Curious Columbus Kids for sponsoring this fun and helpful travel post! 

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read my full disclosure policy here. 

Books on Tape (CD)

Maybe it’s the uber practical multi-tasker in me, but I ADORE when my kids listen to books on tape in the car. Instead of wasting time, my boys are learning, growing their vocabulary and syntax, and we’re building a culture around great literature. Libraries are a great way to get tons of books on tape for the lovely price of FREE! They fill the time and you’ll be shocked at how your kids love them. Looking for recommendations? Check out Read-Aloud Revival, my favorite podcast.

Group Games

A lot of silly games seem lame until you’re bored and with the people that mean the most to you. Try playing “I Spy”, 20 Questions, The Alphabet Game, License Plate Game, “I’m Going on a Picnic”, 2 Truths and a Lie and more. You’ll exercise your mind and learn about each other at the same time.

Quiet Books

If you haven’t heard of quiet books, they are “books” full of activities that will completely engage your child without causing a ruckus. Curious Colombus Kids makes an absolutely adorable quiet book that all three of my boys have enjoyed. Each page has a new fun game or activity.

These books will work for settings far beyond the car! Think church services, weddings, read aloud times. Any time you’re trying to keep your kids occupied WITHOUT mind-numbing electronics, this will do the trick!

The book is HAND MADE and of such high quality! Honestly, I’d like to steal it away from my kids so I can play with it for a while!

This quiet book is easy to take along where ever you go as it zips up and contains all the little parts without worry of them falling out.

To get a high quality quiet book that won’t break the bank, Order One HERE! And be sure to follow them on Facebook for the latest updates, coupons and giveaways. (Like their page!)

Scavenger Hunt

This takes a little bit of planning, but create a scavenger hunt by making a list of common things you’d see on the road like railroad tracks, school buses, tractor, horses, windmills, bicyclists, skyscrapers, etc. Give each person a list and when they spot one of the items, they can check it off. First person with a completed list wins!

Snacks

When all else fails, stuff their mouths! Be sure to pack some road friendly yummies. Have a good mix of healthy with special treats thrown in. Try and avoid super sticky foods or ones that may melt all over the seats. We like clementines, pretzels, gummy bears and cashews. Don’t forget some water bottles too!

Let Them Be Bored

While it might cause some kick back initially, having nothing to do is actually really, really good for everyone, especially kids. Let them think, let them daydream, let them enjoy the scenery. It will give them time for a recharge and a stretching of their attention span.

What are YOUR favorite ways to keep kids entertained on the open road? Share your wisdom in the comments!

The post How to Survive a Screen-Free Road Trip with Kids appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

We’ve done TONS of them over the years. (Get our full list of sensory bin activities.)

This rainbow sensory bin is absolutely gorgeous with the added benefit of being safe for even your youngest adventurers.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy here. 

Supplies:

Rainbow Playsilks (Solid)

Rainbow Juggling Scarves (See-Through)

Bin

Puppy Figures (Optional) or larger objects for younger children

Instructions:

Wrap a small puppy (or whatever you have on hand) in a scarf. Bunch it up and stick it in the bin.

If your kids are tempted to put things in their mouths, be sure to use objects that are too large to be a choking hazard.

Once all the puppies are wrapped up and the scarves are put into the bins, invite your kids to dig in!

My kids didn’t even notice that there were puppies inside the scarves until I told them to start looking for them! My five year old caught on very quickly!

My three year old definitely had to stretch his fine motor skills and problem solving abilities to the max, but he felt SO proud when he would finally get the puppies free!

One major plus to this sensory bin is that there’s not a ton of rice or beans strewn about the kitchen. And since it’s not made of food, it doesn’t spoil so it can be used over and over again.

We found the see-through scarves to be best for my younger son, while my older son enjoyed the challenge of the solid scarves.

The post Rainbow Sensory Bin appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

The greatest quality of little boys (and by extension some grown men) is a wondrous imagination.

If you ever want to have an especially engaging, and likely entertaining, conversation with a little boy, ask him to tell you his favorite story.

Watch his eyes light up, as he tells you all about the daring exploits of the brave hero, and witness his forehead crinkle and his lip curl as he describes the heinous villain.

Now, I am happy to tell you that God has blessed me with 3 boys whom I know have spectacular imaginations. (The littlest can’t talk yet, but I assume his brain is just bursting with fanciful musings)

It’s one thing to have a conversation with my boys, (head’s up, it WILL be about Star Wars), but if you really want to delve the wonders of their imaginations, you need to go with them on an adventure…

Our family has found that some of the best adventures are waiting to be discovered in nature.

Thank you to the Toybrary of Austin for generously giving my family a membership in exchange for showcasing some of their amazing gear! 

Hiking with Kids

Most recently, we packed the boys into the minivan, gathered a few necessary (and a few unnecessary) items for the journey and we were off the the nearest National Wildlife Refuge.

Being that we were hiking with small children, we didn’t even make it a whole mile, but there was a lot of excitement along the way.

We visited a family of birds,

crossed a river on a path of wobbly stones,

scaled a mountain,

Braved the dark path through a winding forest of thorns,

and surveyed the inhabitants of a wide green valley.

The boy’s had a great time, and the only complaints we heard were about who’s turn it was to lead.

So, if you are wondering, “Okay, that sounds like fun, but how do I get my kids excited about a Nature Hike AND to agree on the same adventure?”

Well, smart parent that you are, you probably know there are no fool proof ways to get your kids to AGREE ON ANYTHING 100 percent of the time.

However, here are 3 tips on how to encourage your kids to make Nature Walks an adventure:

1. Suggest Roles

This could be a favorite character from a book or movie, or it could be as simple as giving them a job. 

On our Kid’s Hike, my Husband suggested our oldest son be a Scout. He would excitedly run ahead a little way and then come running back to tell us what he saw. He felt special because he  knew what was coming before we did.

The middle one got to be the Captain. After the older one would come back, we’d ask the Captain what he thought we should do and which way he thought we should go.

Everyone got to do something creative and special to them and they could “own” their part of the trip. It’s also a good idea to switch up the roles often so no one gets bored or jealous. (We didn’t forget about the little one. He wasn’t really looking for a role. He just wanted to ride with Dad.)

2. Bring Some Special Tools

These should be something that kids do not normally get to use. That way it can feel like a privilege and will hold a child’s attention better. These can also compliment the roles that the kids adopt.

We brought along binoculars for the kids to use.

Our middle son insisted on bringing along a trail map and checking it to see where we were ever 50 yards or so.

Compasses and cameras are also a fun idea when hiking with kids.

3. Give them something to find

Discovering what makes up your world is one of the best parts about being a kid, and watching your kids discoveries is one of the best parts about being a parent.

If you are going to explore nature, making discoveries is easy. Look for bugs, look for flowers, look for footprints.

You can turn the search for pretty much anything into a quest for your kids. As we went along, we looked for birds and were fortunate enough to find a nest with eggs!

We got a set of two binoculars from the Toybrary of Austin. The “Toybrary” is a library for TOYS! Since getting a membership, my boys have enjoyed nature even more because of all the gear they can explore with! Liza, the owner of the Toybrary is great at finding educational, playful toys that help kids be kids! If you’re in the Austin, TX area, her shop is a must stop spot!

The Toybrary is also hosting fun events for families. See the calendar for more upcoming events.

Adventures are great opportunities for your family to make memories and grow closer. Just remember too that you can be a facilitator for your child’s imagination. Make suggestions, ask questions, be surprised, and be sure to listen.

You don’t have to pilot the Millennium Falcon to get there, but you will want to pack your own imagination.

Also, tell me about your family’s nature adventure. I love hearing your stories and your ideas can be a wonderful blessing to other families who are out with their kiddos!

The post 3 Tips for Fun Nature Hikes with Your Kids appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

Have you ever noticed that toys have a life of their own?

When they first join your family, your kids play with that particular toy constantly. But as time goes on, the toys lose their charm and imagination can start to wain.

But I’ve found that you can kick things up a notch by bringing those “old” toys into a new situation. Put them in water, use them for crafting, or try turning down the lights.

This science activity breathed new life into our magnetic tiles while teaching my boys about the properties of light.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy here.

Thank you to the Toybrary of Austin for generously giving my family a membership in exchange for showcasing some of their amazing toys! 

Supplies:

A Mirror

Magnetic Rainbow Tiles

Flash Light

Directions:

Position the tiles between the flashlight and the mirror. Let your child play and explore. It might seem like the same old building toys, but in this new setting, it just seems cooler!

My son has been studying light in his kindergarten science curriculum. This science activity gave us the chance to talk about reflection, absorption, transparency, and colors.

He got creative and built a tent for his flashlight. It was rainbowtastic!

We got these sturdy mirrors from the Toybrary of Austin. The “Toybrary” is a library for TOYS, and high quality ones at that! Since getting a membership, I actually have a chance at keeping my house clutter free! Liza, the owner of the Toybrary is so sweet and loves getting educational, playful toys that help kids be kids! Austinites, check them out, you won’t regret it!

On December 3rd from 5 – 8pm, there will be a parents night out that kids will LOVE going to! See the calendar for more details. 

The colors were simply mesmerizing.

Check out that concentration!

Gotta love that “science is fun, mom!” expression!

The post Mirror and Light Science Exploration for Preschoolers appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Please read my full disclosure policy here. 

Supplies:

Play Dough

Large Variety of Small Plastic Figures

Directions:

Invite your child to roll out the play dough into nice flat strips. Then when they aren’t looking use the figures to make impressions into the dough.

You can make this game super simple, or exceedingly difficult. At first we just pulled out 3-4 figures and would make an impression (or a “fossil” as my son called them). With just those few figures to choose from, my son could easily pick out which animal or car made the indentation.  But then we tried using extremely similar figures like this one.

Not as easily without actually comparing. My son wanted to switch and have a turn making the fossils.

He didn’t give me any hints, instead letting me sort through our WHOLE box of figures to find the correct one!

His creativity is far beyond mine. He fooled me by using different parts of the little figures, like the Native American headdress.

So grab some play dough and some little figures and get to fossil making!!!

The post Fossil Hunt Play Dough Game appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

The Candy Cane is all this and it tastes pretty darn good too!

Give some of these fun and creative Candy Cane craft ideas a try to help sweeten your Christmas this year! There is something for all ages and for every room of the home.

Candy Cane Reindeer from Everyday Best

Name Candy Cane Craft from Fun-a-Day

Legend of the Candy Cane Craft from Teach Beside Me

Egg Carton Candy Cane Craft from Meaningful Mama

Crystal Candy Canes from Go Science Kids

Salt Dough Candy Cane Ornaments from Fun at Home With Kids

Toddler Candy Cane Craft from No Time for Flash Cards

Paper Candy Canes from Happy Hooligans

Candy Cane Lanterns from Raising Little Super Heroes

Paper Bead Candy Cane Ornaments from Happy Hooligans

Candy Cane Slime from Fireflyies and Mudpies

Candy Cane Wreath from Mommy’s Bundle

Jingle Bell Candy Cane Tree from Play Trains

Yarn Wrapped Candy Cane Ornaments from Cutting Tiny Bites

Candy Cane Lions from Preschool Powol Packets

Candy Cane Crafts and Ornaments from Artsy Momma

The post Creative Candy Cane Crafts appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.

There is something essential to childhood that is slowly being erroded away.

What is it?!?

PLAY!

What used to fill most young kids’ days is getting lost in overscheduling, stress, and technology.

But you as a parent don’t have to let your kids flounder in a boring, unimaginative world. With a few simple tools and tips, you can encourage pretend play that will help you raise a well-rounded child. Society as a whole will thank you for it!

Costumes and Places of Play

Kids LOVE to dress up! Costumes are often times the foundation that launch my kids into hours of play. A couple tips…

Keep things versatile. Look for costumes that can double or quintuple as something else. Example: My son was giving this Ben Franklin costume for Christmas last year since he loves all things Revolutionary War. But the wig has transformed him into SO many characters! The possibilities are endless.

Let play time happen in different places. While the playroom is nice, mom and dad’s bathtub makes an excellent tug boat, while outside play equipment can turn into Mt. Everest. And don’t forget the kitchen is full of yummy possibilities!

Don’t Have Rules

Play time is for the kids! Don’t turn it into a structured, adult influenced time. If your kids want to wear firefighter hats while dancing around a teepee, let them! It’s ok to mix and match! If your kids’ British accent sound more like a Bostonian, let it slide.

Let Them Be Bored

This goes along with the advice above. If you announce to your kids, “Alright, now is the set time for pretend play. Ready, set, go!” it probably won’t go over well. Kids need time to zone out, get bored, and let their creativity escape. It may be uncomfortable at first. But after the complaining, will come kids that know how to entertain themselves.

Incorporate Music

Every once in a while, my kids love when we make pretend play especially epic with a soundtrack for their adventures. Pirate music, knight tunes, you name it, they love it! Music amplifies the emotions and lights imaginations on fire!

Keep Their Tummies Happy

Nothing brings playtime to a grinding halt like empty stomachs. Give your kids the good stuff with CLIF Kid Zbars. I love knowing they are made with organic ingredients (non-GMO of course). No artificial junk here! They have nutrients that active kids needs while keeping their taste buds happy.

Take a moment to check out this video by CLIF Kid and encourage your kids to come out and play!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of CLEVER and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

The post Tips for Encouraging Pretend Play at Home appeared first on My Mundane and Miraculous Life.