Play At Home Mom LLC

Sunday, November 18, 2012

THE TOY LISTS

We created separate posts for each age because, frankly, all of those "Top 100" or "Top 50" lists make us crazy and are totally overwhelming - we wanted to keep them simple and just offer some ideas (that may spark other ideas). However, we thought this little post - linked up to each age - might make things easier to find. Simply click on the age and it will take you to the post. Hope this helps.

TOY LISTS:

0-12 MONTHS

AGE 1

AGE 2

AGE 3

AGE 4

BONUS LIST

BOOKS

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Toys for 0-12 Months

Click on the names for links to the items.
ENJOY!

1. SENSORY ACTIVITY BALL

2. PLAY SILKS

3. LIL SQUIRT BABY POOL

4. ROLL AROUNDS

5. SENSORY MAT

6. MUSICAL BLOCK

7. SENSORY BALLS

8. CHICCO HOOK ON CHAIR

9. PARACHUTE

10. HOMEMADE SENSORY BOARD

11. RAINBOW CRYSTAL CUBES

12. PUSH-N-GO CATERPILLAR

13. HAND PUPPET BOARD BOOK

14. TWILIGHT TURTLE

15. ACRYLIC MIRRORS

Please check out our

1 YEAR OLD TOY LIST

for more ideas.

Our children played with every item on that list before age 1.

Friday, November 16, 2012

Thanksgiving Place Cups

Don't forget to remember your children when planning your Thanksgiving Feast next week! Often times the holiday's can become very stressful and hectic.... SLOW DOWN and let them play a role!

It is important to us that the guests coming into our home feel welcomed and loved. We together as a family have been brainstorming ideas.

One of the things we were talking about is where everyone would sit.

We came up with a plan which was a joint decision and suggested by my 4 year old. I have to give her credit.... it was a well thought out arrangement! I asked them if they would like to make place cards to put on the table. They said yes and I gave them a few different options. They decided to make Pilgrim hats. We attempted to make them with plaster and it was a bust.

The other night at dinner my oldest asked if there was going to be enough cups for everyone. We started talking about what cup/plate their friends would have (yes, they are particular... LOL) and I suggested buying special cups for the occasion. This was a very exciting YES moment for them. Off we went to the dollar store for them to pick out glasses.

I thought it would be fun to decorate them but wasn't sure if it would be possible. Thank you internet! I did a search and I got a bunch of results for sharpie DIY coffee mugs. I figured if it worked on that it would work on a wine glass?? We were going to find out!

My oldest two decorating their cups.

My middle girl kept wiping off her design after she drew on it. She was in shock when I told her it could stay on the glass. LOL LOL

Designing

My oldest writing her name.

After you finishing designing put them in a COLD oven at 350. I placed ours on a rimmed cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, turn the oven off, and let them sit 10 minutes more before you take them out. It will take a good 20-30 minutes before they completely cool. Try not to touch them as they will be hot and can crack. I was a little impatient and tapped the bottom of one of the glasses to see if it was cool and it cracked on me.

Once baked in the oven the sharpie should not come off when washed. I hand washed them and had no problems. I didn't attempt to put them in the dishwasher.

Here our the girls finished glasses. Perfect with some Sparkling Apple Cider.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

DIY Activity Table

We converted our train table into a light table a while back. Since then we have added many different elements to the table. This is great for people who do not have a lot of space. There are so many options with just one table. The best part is... the table only cost $40.00 on Craiglist! You can customize it to your own children. Here are some of the things we created...

LIGHT TABLE

For DIY instructions on how to convert a train table to light table click HERE.

GEOBOARD

For DIY instructions on how to make a Geoboard click HERE

LIGHT BRITE

We cut 2 pieces of peg board the size of the train table boards. We purchased Light Brite pegs on ebay. I think they were around 5 or 6 dollars. Just lay the panels on top of the light table and you have yourself a DIY Light Brite! The pegs fit perfectly.

WHITE BOARD/DRY ERASE

You can use the white plexi glass top to the light table to draw and paint on. Here it is with the light on.

White board with the lights off.

BLACKBOARD

We painted one side of our train table boards with blackboard paint. Blackboard paint can be purchased at Home Depot. We used two coats.

WHITE WORK SURFACE

Lastly, we painted the other side of the train boards white. We use this surface for everyday play... playmobil, building, legos, etc. I also glued two pieces of Lego base plates to one end for lego play... which you can see below.

LEGO TABLE

I used 2, 15 x 15 base plates... they also sell them in other sizes and colors.

These are just a few options but the possibilities are endless.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Bonus Toy List

Here are a few toys that didn't make our lists.....

CLICK ON THE LARGE WORDS FOR LINKS

1. Microphone and mini-amp

My son received this for his third birthday. He LOVES the microphone (from Target) and the little Amp ROCKS! It has great sound and even hooks onto his belt or waistband!

MICROPHONE
AMP

2. Backyard Flyer Biplane Skymaster

My son received this Christmas when he was 2....huge hit! I recommend an extremely large field for flying - this plane can go!!

PLANE

3. Roy Toy Classic Fort

Another huge hit and easy for my 3 year old to manipulate

FORT

4. Soccer Goals

Great pop up goals!!

GOALS

5. Wheelbarrow

Just like the real thing - only smaller.

WHEELBARROW

6. ZOKU POPSICLE MAKER

We have this popsicle maker - popsicles in 7 minutes. Its takes some effort, but the popsicles are delish and my son LOVES the process of making them....from start to finish.

ZOKU

7. Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt/Sorbet Maker

Another favorite in our home - ice cream in 30 minutes. Again, children love the process.

ICE CREAM MAKER

Toys for age FOUR

1. WALKIE TALKIES

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B001UE6MIO

2. PORTABLE CD PLAYER

Many different options for this. I couldn't find any with good reviews online. We found ours at Radio Shack. The brand is Memorex.

Model number: MD8151SL

Works great!

3. RUSH HOUR JUNIOR

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B00004WJSN

4. COLORFORMS

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B000BNEODU

5. QUERCETTI FILO LACING SET

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B000F4GHP8

6. MICROWAVE KILN

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B001Q9663E

7. KICK SPRITE SCOOTER

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B005PO4OI0

8. LEGOS

Obviously there are many different options for this... this is one we are purchasing.

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B004478GHE

9. HYPOTROCHOID ART SET

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B002OSOZMU

10. ALEX MONKEY BALANCE BOARD

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B000N40SDC

11. JUMP ROPE

http://astore.amazon.com/plathomo-20/detail/B001Q3KUAU

12. RAZOR GROUND FORCE GO KART
**The recommended age for this (on the box) is age 8 and up. My son got this for his 4th birthday because I trust in his driving abilities. He drives it like a champ.**