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Eat Right, Play Right, Feel Right!
- EI Editor Posted On Apr 20, 2021 | Learning Through Play
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Homeschool Parent
3 Earth Science Experts Who Want to Talk to Your Kids!
- EI Editor Posted On Apr 14, 2021 | Learning Through Play
Explorers Wanted! 4 Fun Activities to Help Your Little Ones Learn to Love the World Around Them
- EI Editor Posted On Apr 7, 2021 | Learning Through Play
Home's Cool Art Activity: How to Draw Hoppy Floppy Step-by-Step
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgbvszNFtsM&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 4–7Supplies:• Paper• Crayons or markers• An image of Hoppy Floppy
Procedure:1. Draw a big blue circle, this will be the head.2. Then draw a smaller half circle, this will be the snout.3. Next, the ears.4. Draw a cloud shape under the head.5. Let’s draw one arm and then the next one.6. Draw the back leg, which is one big circle and then draw the foot.7. Next is the body, which is like a bean shape, draw the belly and then the back.8. Let’s finish with the tail.9. Now, add details like the eye and nose and start coloring.10. Decorate the background with carrots and flowers and you’re done!
Hoppy Floppy's Happy Hunt Game - photo credit: @celeste_wright
Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Procedure:1. Draw a big blue circle, this will be the head.2. Then draw a smaller half circle, this will be the snout.3. Next, the ears.4. Draw a cloud shape under the head.5. Let’s draw one arm and then the next one.6. Draw the back leg, which is one big circle and then draw the foot.7. Next is the body, which is like a bean shape, draw the belly and then the back.8. Let’s finish with the tail.9. Now, add details like the eye and nose and start coloring.10. Decorate the background with carrots and flowers and you’re done!Hoppy Floppy's Happy Hunt Game - photo credit: @celeste_wright
Sahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Home's Cool Art Activity: How to Draw Hoppy Floppy Step-by-Step
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgbvszNFtsM&feature=emb_logo Home's Cool! While we're all working from home, the parents, former teachers, and play experts at EI are sharing some of their favorite educational activities to help keep your family learning and growing. Check out this idea from Sahad Rivera Sonda, one of our Product Managers!Ages: 4–7Supplies:• Paper• Crayons or markers• An image of Hoppy FloppyProcedure:1. Draw a big blue circle, this will be the head.2. Then draw a smaller half circle, this will be the snout.3. Next, the ears.4. Draw a cloud shape under the head.5. Let’s draw one arm and then the next one.6. Draw the back leg, which is one big circle and then draw the foot.7. Next is the body, which is like a bean shape, draw the belly and then the back.8. Let’s finish with the tail.9. Now, add details like the eye and nose and start coloring.10. Decorate the background with carrots and flowers and you’re done!Hoppy Floppy's Happy Hunt Game - photo credit: @celeste_wrightSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
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Procedure:1. Draw a big blue circle, this will be the head.2. Then draw a smaller half circle, this will be the snout.3. Next, the ears.4. Draw a cloud shape under the head.5. Let’s draw one arm and then the next one.6. Draw the back leg, which is one big circle and then draw the foot.7. Next is the body, which is like a bean shape, draw the belly and then the back.8. Let’s finish with the tail.9. Now, add details like the eye and nose and start coloring.10. Decorate the background with carrots and flowers and you’re done!Hoppy Floppy's Happy Hunt Game - photo credit: @celeste_wrightSahad Rivera Sonda has dreamed of being a toy designer since she was a child in Mexico! Her passion for miniatures and other playful oddities (her collection includes everything from a plush churro to a miniature French fry) eventually led her to Otis College of Art and Design in California, where she obtained a degree in Toy Design. Sahad’s dreams came true when she landed a job with EI, designing the look and feel for many of our toys and games, including Playfoam Pals, Design & Drill and our plush line.
Hit the Road! 5 Fun Games for Crazy Long Car Rides
- EI Editor Posted On Mar 30, 2021 | Learning Through Play
5 Must-Have Materials for a Well-Stocked Art Cart
- EI Editor Posted On Mar 17, 2021 | Learning Through Play
The more accessible your art materials are, the more likely your kids are to use them! And with so many emotional, developmental, and educational benefits to crafting, encouraging arts and crafts is a super smart idea. EI’s Experts in Play are here to help you stock your art cart with five must have materials sure to inspire your kids to get crafty every day of National Craft Month – and beyond!1. PaperThe foundation for all kinds of projects, you’ll want to supply several different kinds of paper, including scratch paper, construction paper, cardstock, and even sheets of cardboard. Cut any bits left over from previous projects into shapes and squiggles to be used in future projects.
2. Pencils, Crayons, and MarkersInclude basic graphite pencils as well as colored pencils (chunky sizes are easier for little hands). Go for washable markers and be sure to separate each type of supply into its own cup or bin so kids can easily find what they need.
3. Paints and PaintbrushesWatercolors are wonderful for quick and easy painting projects. Tempera paints are washable and come in a huge range of colors that sticks to paper, cardboard, cloth, and even wood. They’re also great for finger painting! You’ll want to stock your cart with several sizes of kid-friendly paintbrushes, as well as a cup for water, a plastic palette, and a smock.
4. Sculpting MaterialsEncourage 3-D creativity with sculptable materials like air dry clay (or Fimo for older kids). Non-toxic, moldable Playfoam® is the perfect compound for your art cart since it never dries out and your kids can reuse it again and again.
Photo Credit: @madina_toys5. ExtrasInclude a bin for the extras, including child-safe scissors, glue sticks, pom poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, beans, beads, and glitter, if you dare.
Once you’ve stocked your art cart with the basics, you may need a bit of inspiration. Visit our Pinterest page for endless creative craft ideas for little ones. Welcome spring with crafts including step-by-step instructions for drawing Hoppy Floppy and creating a chick and a bunny out of Playfoam pods!
5 Must-Have Materials for a Well-Stocked Art Cart
The more accessible your art materials are, the more likely your kids are to use them! And with so many emotional, developmental, and educational benefits to crafting, encouraging arts and crafts is a super smart idea. EI’s Experts in Play are here to help you stock your art cart with five must have materials sure to inspire your kids to get crafty every day of National Craft Month – and beyond!1. PaperThe foundation for all kinds of projects, you’ll want to supply several different kinds of paper, including scratch paper, construction paper, cardstock, and even sheets of cardboard. Cut any bits left over from previous projects into shapes and squiggles to be used in future projects.2. Pencils, Crayons, and MarkersInclude basic graphite pencils as well as colored pencils (chunky sizes are easier for little hands). Go for washable markers and be sure to separate each type of supply into its own cup or bin so kids can easily find what they need.3. Paints and PaintbrushesWatercolors are wonderful for quick and easy painting projects. Tempera paints are washable and come in a huge range of colors that sticks to paper, cardboard, cloth, and even wood. They’re also great for finger painting! You’ll want to stock your cart with several sizes of kid-friendly paintbrushes, as well as a cup for water, a plastic palette, and a smock.4. Sculpting MaterialsEncourage 3-D creativity with sculptable materials like air dry clay (or Fimo for older kids). Non-toxic, moldable Playfoam® is the perfect compound for your art cart since it never dries out and your kids can reuse it again and again.Photo Credit: @madina_toys5. ExtrasInclude a bin for the extras, including child-safe scissors, glue sticks, pom poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, beans, beads, and glitter, if you dare.Once you’ve stocked your art cart with the basics, you may need a bit of inspiration. Visit our Pinterest page for endless creative craft ideas for little ones. Welcome spring with crafts including step-by-step instructions for drawing Hoppy Floppy and creating a chick and a bunny out of Playfoam pods!
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The more accessible your art materials are, the more likely your kids are to use them! And with so many emotional, developmental, and educational benefits to crafting, encouraging arts and crafts is a super smart idea. EI’s Experts in Play are here to help you stock your art cart with five must have materials sure to inspire your kids to get crafty every day of National Craft Month – and beyond!1. PaperThe foundation for all kinds of projects, you’ll want to supply several different kinds of paper, including scratch paper, construction paper, cardstock, and even sheets of cardboard. Cut any bits left over from previous projects into shapes and squiggles to be used in future projects.2. Pencils, Crayons, and MarkersInclude basic graphite pencils as well as colored pencils (chunky sizes are easier for little hands). Go for washable markers and be sure to separate each type of supply into its own cup or bin so kids can easily find what they need.3. Paints and PaintbrushesWatercolors are wonderful for quick and easy painting projects. Tempera paints are washable and come in a huge range of colors that sticks to paper, cardboard, cloth, and even wood. They’re also great for finger painting! You’ll want to stock your cart with several sizes of kid-friendly paintbrushes, as well as a cup for water, a plastic palette, and a smock.4. Sculpting MaterialsEncourage 3-D creativity with sculptable materials like air dry clay (or Fimo for older kids). Non-toxic, moldable Playfoam® is the perfect compound for your art cart since it never dries out and your kids can reuse it again and again.Photo Credit: @madina_toys5. ExtrasInclude a bin for the extras, including child-safe scissors, glue sticks, pom poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, beans, beads, and glitter, if you dare.Once you’ve stocked your art cart with the basics, you may need a bit of inspiration. Visit our Pinterest page for endless creative craft ideas for little ones. Welcome spring with crafts including step-by-step instructions for drawing Hoppy Floppy and creating a chick and a bunny out of Playfoam pods!
Top 10 Reasons to Get Crafty with Playfoam
- EI Editor Posted On Mar 9, 2021 | Learning Through Play
5 Fun Ways to Raise Kinder Kids
- EI Editor Posted On Mar 2, 2021 | Learning Through Play
If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the need for more human kindness, compassion, and love. While you (and we, and hopefully everyone else) work on ways to become more tolerant and understanding in your own life, teaching your kids to be kind will help ensure that the next generation is a happier, more accepting place.Fortunately, kids are naturally kind and empathetic and with a bit of encouragement, you can make kindness a priority value in your home. And raising kinder kids doesn’t just benefit the friends and family around your children. Kinder kids have been proven to gravitate toward kinder friends, be less likely to break rules, get better grades and test scores, and even to be higher earners as adults. Sounds good, right?To support you in your crusade for kindness, EI’s Experts in Play have compiled five fun ways to encourage kindness at home, including:1. Modeling KindnessDo as I say, not as I do just doesn’t work when it comes to kindness. Watch your words and actions (and social media posts and comments!) to make sure you’re consistently demonstrating kindness in your own life.
2. Praising Acts of KindnessMake a point of commenting out loud when your kids, family members, friends, and even strangers do something nice for others, from sharing a toy to holding the door at the donut shop.3. Doing Daily Acts of KindnessCommit to doing something kind for someone else every single day and share the act – and how it made you feel! – with your family. Encourage your family to do the same with the simple acts of kindness on our free, downloadable 31 Days of Kindness calendar.
4. Asking About KindnessInstead of asking your kids how they did on a test or whether their team won the game, ask what they did that day that was kind. The more you ask, the more your kids will look for opportunities to do something kind so that they have something to share with you.5. Incorporating KindnessThe Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ First Responders sets are the perfect way to roll the concepts of sharing, caring, and kindness into your kids’ everyday play. Each Bolt Buddy has a job to do – and they always do it with kindness! From the Bolt Buddies Helicopter, swooping in for the perfect play rescue, the Police Motorcycle, zooming up to save the day, and the Fire Truck, ready to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees, these community helpers do their jobs with kindness and compassion.
5 Fun Ways to Raise Kinder Kids
If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the need for more human kindness, compassion, and love. While you (and we, and hopefully everyone else) work on ways to become more tolerant and understanding in your own life, teaching your kids to be kind will help ensure that the next generation is a happier, more accepting place.Fortunately, kids are naturally kind and empathetic and with a bit of encouragement, you can make kindness a priority value in your home. And raising kinder kids doesn’t just benefit the friends and family around your children. Kinder kids have been proven to gravitate toward kinder friends, be less likely to break rules, get better grades and test scores, and even to be higher earners as adults. Sounds good, right?To support you in your crusade for kindness, EI’s Experts in Play have compiled five fun ways to encourage kindness at home, including:1. Modeling KindnessDo as I say, not as I do just doesn’t work when it comes to kindness. Watch your words and actions (and social media posts and comments!) to make sure you’re consistently demonstrating kindness in your own life.2. Praising Acts of KindnessMake a point of commenting out loud when your kids, family members, friends, and even strangers do something nice for others, from sharing a toy to holding the door at the donut shop.3. Doing Daily Acts of KindnessCommit to doing something kind for someone else every single day and share the act – and how it made you feel! – with your family. Encourage your family to do the same with the simple acts of kindness on our free, downloadable 31 Days of Kindness calendar.4. Asking About KindnessInstead of asking your kids how they did on a test or whether their team won the game, ask what they did that day that was kind. The more you ask, the more your kids will look for opportunities to do something kind so that they have something to share with you.5. Incorporating KindnessThe Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ First Responders sets are the perfect way to roll the concepts of sharing, caring, and kindness into your kids’ everyday play. Each Bolt Buddy has a job to do – and they always do it with kindness! From the Bolt Buddies Helicopter, swooping in for the perfect play rescue, the Police Motorcycle, zooming up to save the day, and the Fire Truck, ready to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees, these community helpers do their jobs with kindness and compassion.
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If the past year has shown us anything, it’s the need for more human kindness, compassion, and love. While you (and we, and hopefully everyone else) work on ways to become more tolerant and understanding in your own life, teaching your kids to be kind will help ensure that the next generation is a happier, more accepting place.Fortunately, kids are naturally kind and empathetic and with a bit of encouragement, you can make kindness a priority value in your home. And raising kinder kids doesn’t just benefit the friends and family around your children. Kinder kids have been proven to gravitate toward kinder friends, be less likely to break rules, get better grades and test scores, and even to be higher earners as adults. Sounds good, right?To support you in your crusade for kindness, EI’s Experts in Play have compiled five fun ways to encourage kindness at home, including:1. Modeling KindnessDo as I say, not as I do just doesn’t work when it comes to kindness. Watch your words and actions (and social media posts and comments!) to make sure you’re consistently demonstrating kindness in your own life.2. Praising Acts of KindnessMake a point of commenting out loud when your kids, family members, friends, and even strangers do something nice for others, from sharing a toy to holding the door at the donut shop.3. Doing Daily Acts of KindnessCommit to doing something kind for someone else every single day and share the act – and how it made you feel! – with your family. Encourage your family to do the same with the simple acts of kindness on our free, downloadable 31 Days of Kindness calendar.4. Asking About KindnessInstead of asking your kids how they did on a test or whether their team won the game, ask what they did that day that was kind. The more you ask, the more your kids will look for opportunities to do something kind so that they have something to share with you.5. Incorporating KindnessThe Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies™ First Responders sets are the perfect way to roll the concepts of sharing, caring, and kindness into your kids’ everyday play. Each Bolt Buddy has a job to do – and they always do it with kindness! From the Bolt Buddies Helicopter, swooping in for the perfect play rescue, the Police Motorcycle, zooming up to save the day, and the Fire Truck, ready to put out fires and rescue kittens in trees, these community helpers do their jobs with kindness and compassion. 
Little Kids, Big Feelings
- EI Editor Posted On Feb 24, 2021 | Learning Through Play
