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Leave Those Kids Alone! 10 Solo Play Activities Using Playfoam
- EI Editor Posted On Aug 31, 2020 | Learning Through Play
Whether your kids are back in school or hanging at home with you, they’re probably craving a bit of time to themselves – and we’ll bet you are, too! Playfoam® offers the perfect hands-on opportunity for kids to play and learn on their own, providing a break from constant direction, while at the same time building self-confidence, problem-solving skills, and so much more. And, since Playfoam is non-toxic and never dries out, the fun – and learning – never ends. Kids simply squish, squash, and shape this non-stick, moldable compound for a totally tactile learning experience. Check out ten awesome activities perfect for solo play and learning, using Playfoam:
1. Color Matching
Playfoam is the perfect way for kids to practice their colors! Choose a few items from around the house and place them on a table. Ask your kiddo to make balls of Playfoam that match the color of each object, then show them to you.
Photo credit: @bodemeducational
2. Turtley Awesome Gifts
Your kids can create personalized mini turtle-grams using Playfoam pods and a little creativity. What a sweet special delivery for friends and family! See all the turtley cute details here. Or check out details to make a chicky-gram or bunny-gram.
3. Shapes
Challenge your children to squish their Playfoam into a few simple shapes – a circle, square, and triangle – then check back and see how they did. Or, grab some cookie cutters and kitchen utensils to help inspire all kinds of colorful creations!
Photo credit: @mayra_valdez
4. Patterns
Print out some simple images in a few different colors or draw your own, like this colorful caterpillar. Challenge your kiddo to create matching balls of Playfoam and place them in the same order.
Photo credit: @bodemeducational
5. Letters and Numbers
Write a set of letters or numbers for your child to copy, then show them how to roll their Playfoam and sculpt it to match. Or use the pre-printed cards and corresponding images in the Playfoam Shape & Learn Alphabet Set and Playfoam Shape & Learn Numbers Set to practice letter formation and alphabet mastery.
Photo credit: @taushawierlo - Playfoam Shape & Learn Alphabet Set
6. Quantities and Counting
Use sticky notes to label each cup of a muffin tin with a numeral, 1-10. Then see if your child can roll and place the quantity of Playfoam balls that corresponds with the numeral on each cup.
Photo credit: @bodemeducational
7. Simple Addition and Subtraction
Use the labeled muffin tin to introduce simple addition and subtraction by moving the balls of Playfoam from the cups labeled “1” and “2” into the empty “3” cup, counting along the way.
Photo credit: @wesayletsplay
8. Solar System
Launch your child’s imagination into outer space! Provide a scaled, color printout of the planets and leave your little one to recreate each planet out of Playfoam.
Photo credit: @kopukhamur
9. Words
Playfoam is perfect for practicing simple C-V-C words! Kiddos can use Playfoam to construct the letters in their names or the words “mom” and “dad”. Or have them squish out the words “cat” and “dog” and create Playfoam sculptures to match.
10. Coloring & Creative Design
Use coloring pages or a homemade drawing, and allow your kiddo to create their very own work of art. May their creative minds run wild! For more details, click here.
Step Away from the Desk: 8 No-Screen After-School Activity Ideas
Whether your kiddo is spending their school day sitting at a desk at home, or they’re back in the classroom, masked, working hard to follow social distancing, hand washing, and no-contact play rules, they are going to be ready for a break once the school day is done. But that doesn’t have to mean screen time! Below are some of our favorite screen-free, take-a-break activities designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and imagination through good old-fashioned PLAY!1. Get the Wiggles Out!Little ones weren’t built to sit still for extended periods of time. Turn on some tunes and throw a crazy dance party or get those Kindergarten crazies out with the Magic Moves® Electronic Wand! This amazing electronic wand features 90 fun, physical commands, twinkling light shows, and 26 different musical tunes. Your kids will be stomping like dinosaurs, soaring like eagles, and so much more, all the while building their vocabularies and practicing following directions.
2. Set Up a Scavenger Hunt!Make a list of 10 things to find in your home or your backyard and let your little one loose! Early readers can practice sounding out the items they’re searching for – then let them make a list of things for you to find, to practice their writing and spelling skills. Take a twist on traditional scavenger hunts by having your kiddos search for items that are specific colors (check out the smarties at iheartcraftythings.com), or for objects that start with each letter of the alphabet.
Photo credit: iheartcraftythings.com3. Go Creepy Crawly!Speaking of outdoor activities, kids can soak up a little vitamin D – and some serious science skills! – with the GeoSafari® Jr. Bugnoculars. Little scientists can catch and observe critters, leaves, flowers, and more in this bug-friendly, kid-cool, transparent container. It's perfect for STEM learning! Bonus points if kids sketch their finds in a notebook, give their friends names, or write silly stories about them![caption id="attachment_6915" align="alignnone" width="840"]
GeoSafari® Jr. Bugnoculars[/caption]4. Rock On!Rock painting does double activity duty – first a walk to search for your “canvasses”, followed by an arts and crafts session to paint them! Use acrylic paints to create free form designs, seasonal objects (think pumpkins, turkeys, or snowflakes), or quotes. We love the kind and crafty ideas on the Curious Doodle blog! In addition to bolstering creativity, painting is also a great way to build those fine motor skills.
Photo credit: curiousdoodle.com5. Get Strategic!If your sweetie just needs some space after a long day of schooling, settle them down with Kanoodle®! This best-selling, award-winning solo play game is a great way to lose yourself for a little while. Place the puzzle pieces as shown, then figure out how to fit the remaining pieces to solve the puzzle, building strategic thinking and problem-solving skills as they do. And with 200 puzzles to solve, your kids will be busy for hours. As you know, educational toys and games are our specialty. Check our more brain teasers and brain games here.[caption id="attachment_6888" align="alignnone" width="840"]
EI Strategy Games & Brain Teasers[/caption]6. Chalk It Up!Chalk art had a moment during the pandemic – you may have seen the trendy designs around your own neighborhood. Your kids can make their own chalk masterpieces – and get some hands-on practice with shapes and colors – following the super simple instructions at TheIdeaRoom.net.
Photo credit: TheIdeaRoom.net7. Squish the Stress Away!Squishy, squashy Playfoam® is perfect for sculpting! Squish it into shape, smash it down, and start again – this non-toxic substance never dries out so kids can use it again and again. Sculpt cats, dogs, snowmen, or butterflies, or use it to create letters and spell your child’s name! Playfoam also offers endless ways to learn through play! You'll love these learning activity ideas for solo play and even more creative fun![caption id="attachment_6856" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo credit: @mayra_valdez[/caption]8. Go Fly a Kite!Flying a kite is a science lesson unto itself – and so is making one! Follow the simple instructions on this video from EasyArtyCrafty to create your own flying machine, then take it for a test spin. If your kids love being outside, you can find other great outdoor activity ideas on our blog!Relaxing time doesn’t have to mean screen time. Give these ideas a go, then find other fun ideas for screen-free learning activities here! READ MORE
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