Recent events have had parents searching for new ways to keep their kids busy. How about a few problem-solving skills that seemed lost to time? There are lots of activities from the past that teach life skills, help with math, teach time management, and are also fun! We’ve collected our favorites below—scroll down to re-discover engaging traditional life skills that your kids will love.
Kids will feel such a sense of accomplishment after building something with their own two hands. There are easy ways to get kids interested in woodworking from woodworking kits that have all the pieces you'll need to books with awesome inspiration and step-by-step instructions like Girls Who Build. Get your woodworker set up with a multi-tool like the Leatherman Curl that has tools like wire cutters, pliers and scissors.
Have an 18" doll that needs some accessories? Knit her a loop scarf! Needlepointers.com has directions on how to knit without having needles. Best part? You don't have to know how to knit to make it.
Cooking
Gustavo Fring via Pexels
Cooking seems to be a lost skill with all of the options of take-out and fast food. But why not teach the importance of knowing how to cook while making it fun for kids? We've come up with some easy ideas for cooking with kids. And they won't even realize that you're teaching them time management, math skills and great techniques.
Candle-making is one of those lost life skills that is very easy to learn, plus, your results make great gifts! The Spruce has an easy tutorial on how to make candles, see it here.
In fashion since the 1800s, crochet is the skill of looping yarn through a crochet hook to create a variety of items. Merry About Town has a whole series about learning how to crochet. Find out what tools you need, different yarns to use and how to read a pattern.
Big Crazy Life has been sewing since she was a child. And now, her daughter is sewing and has even started her own mask business. According to Cam, Learning to sew from her grandmother taught her to make her clothes and helped her gain both business and life skills. You don't have to a kid's sewing machine to get started; if you don't have one—kids can learn on a regular sewing machine or even by hand.
Once your kids learn how to sew, why not teach them to quilt? Swoodsonsays quilted with her five-year-old and said it's not as hard as you think. Her tips on what fabric to start with, tools to use, and the idea that it's fun will make it easier for everyone.
Not quite ready to start the kids cooking just yet? Busy Creating Memories has a simple, tasty recipe for no-cook strawberry jam that is perfect for getting the kids helping in the kitchen. And it has all the benefits of cooking, without having to turn on the stove!
When's the last time you saw someone carving something out of wood? Usually, it's an older gentleman on a porch with a piece of wood and a knife. But Rachel McClary's girls have learned how to whittle, and she has tips on how your kids can safely whittle too. Rachel's info helps with everything from how to appropriately pick up a knife to ideas on what to start making.
This is both a fun craft project and experiment for kids, plus, it's a lost life skill you can continue to use at home. This fun PBS tutorial was created with kids in mind, but we also love this Good Housekeeping tutorial that will have you making soap that'll you want to use to get clean!
Origami
Allison Sutcliffe
First invented in China in the 1st century, origami is a great way to develop fine motor skills. But there's more to origami than just making a paper fortune teller, so check out our list of origami paper crafts to get the kids making bracelets, bookmarks and more!
Flower Arranging
Melick's Town Farm
A beautiful flower arrangement can always cheer someone up, but it's a lost art form for many. Rhythms of Play has come up with steps that even kindergartners can learn. While you might not think of flower arranging as a life skill, Rhythms of Play says that it teaches a variety of lessons including pouring, carrying, contributing to the household and more. It'll also brighten up your house!
Your hard work will pay off for months to come when you teach the kids how to pickle! There are lots of different veggies you can try, too, including cucumbers, onions, green beans and more. We've got an easy tutorial for pickles that's perfect for kids, click here to see it.
Adrian Pe, a Philippines-based OR nurse at The Medical City Iloilo (TMCI) is using his design skills to give back to the healthcare community. He saw firsthand the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and thought he could put his skills to work. Transforming his colleagues into colorful characters from their favorite television shows from the past, he helps bring joy to healthcare workers and patients alike.
Pe says that the cost for each suit depends on the materials used. So far he has used microfiber, parachute with silver lining and non-woven fiber. As a general rule the material should be fluid resistant or at least fluid repellant.
Initially the suits were crafted by staff members at TMCI who offered free labor bringing down production costs. As the project expanded Pe needed to pay seamstresses to help with production, providing opportunities for seamstresses to earn a living while Iloilo City is under quarantine.
According to Pe, simply utilizing the “Makeshift” sewing area at TMCI, they can produce 7- 10 sets per day. Now that he has employed seamstresses, they can produce 40-50 sets per day
Pe said, “The Barney hazmats and later the Teletubbies design were a product of serendipity.” It has proved difficult to source out materials leaving Pe to take whatever color materials he could find. Initially his supplier could only provide non-woven material in green, purple and yellow. When one of his friends commented that they looked like Teletubbies, he looked for red material to round out the group. Pe said, “I think colorful hazmats can help lessen the weariness and dread that is filling our hospitals nowadays. No matter what the color, the most important aspect to consider is the safety of our health care workers and patients; but if a little color can help make them feel a little better, then that’s great.”
Whether you kid is a Rey-in-training or she’s crossed over to the Dark Side, there’s no denying that Star Wars is one of the coolest themes for an afternoon of hands-on fun. From Wookie Bookmarks to Light Saber sensory bottles, we’ve found a dozen ways to amuse your little stormtroopers for days to come. Keep reading to see them all.
Make a menagerie of your favorite Star Wars characters with some toilet paper rolls, construction paper and simple instructions from Hello, Wonderful. Psst … you can even make the droids you were looking for with this cute craft!
Make treat time totally troop-worthy with this easy little track (makes a great cupcake or cake topper, too). Just put marshmallows on a stick and use an edible pen to draw the masks on.
Everyone knows the best stories take place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away. Make a cute Chewbacca bookmark to act as place keeper in your petite Padawan’s galactically good tales. Mom Start has the need-to-know details on this roaringly awesome project.
Make this cute puppet, you must. In a do, not try kind of way. Little hands can easily assemble this googly-eyed, paper bag Yoda puppet found on Gluesticks and Gumdrops.
Even the littlest Padawans can create this adorable geometric R2D2 to tag along on their adventures. It’s a cut and paste project that’s easy to master. Find templates and the noteworthy deets from Danielle at Mom Inspired Life. Roll on, R2!
Create a flurry of excitement when you and your Jedi-in-training cut out Star Wars snowflakes, designed by Anthony Herrera, to hang around the house. You don’t need expert lightsaber skills to slice and dice these intricate designs, but you do need patterns. Pick your favorite from the sleek collection. Let it snow!
Create Thumbprint Art
Courtesy Klutz
Young Jedis can make an impression when they try their hand at Star Wars thumbprint art. Use the inspiring character designs found in this Klutz book to storyboard an adventure worthy of Luke, Leia and Han. Picture it! A long time ago…
Every Jedi-in-training needs a trusty lightsaber at his side. Let your Rebel fighter fashion his own using a pool noodle, duct tape and his mad design skills. Gain the knowledge you need for this project at muddyboots.com. Train you must!
Staying at home is not a guarantee for boredom. In fact, there are so many ways your family can make the time at home feel like you’re on an adventure of a lifetime, not unlike Buck in Disney’s adaptation ofThe Call Of The Wild. Adapted from the Jack London’s beloved literary classic, The Call Of The Wild brings to life the story of Buck, a big-hearted dog, and the man (Harrison Ford) he must learn to trust. While exploring the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon, Buck experiences the adventure of a lifetime and finds his true place in the world.
Your family may not be able to journey to the Alaskan wilderness for discovery and adventure, but there are tons of things you can do at home to have fun, strengthen friendship and family bonds, and find inner strength just like Buck did. Here are 10 ways to have an epic adventure at home, without leaving the house.
1. Have a The Call Of The Wild movie night. Get out the blankets, make some hot cocoa and pop some popcorn old-school style on the stove. Then settle in for an adventure with Buck. The movie is now available on digital platforms including Amazon and iTunes.
2. Play hide and seek with your dog. Tell your pup to stay, hide in another room and have them find you. Inside time is a great way to bond with your best friend and they’ll love all the time you give them. No pup? Try staging this with a favorite stuffed animal.
3. Bake bread from scratch. Find a family-friendly recipe and get everyone in the kitchen to mix, knead and bake. Enhance those wilderness survival skills by baking one of the essential foods without leaving the house and purchasing it at the store.
4. Learn how to read a map. Paper maps still exist and GPS is not always reliable when you’re out adventuring in the wild. Teach your kiddos how to navigate using a map so they’ll always know how to find their way.
5. Go star-gazing in your backyard. Learn the names of the planets, constellations, stars and the moon. Find the North Star and learn about its ability to help you survive when you’re lost, and read about the phases of the moon and identify where it is each night.
7. Build a fort. Grab some sheets, chair and pillows and start building an epic indoor fort. Don’t forget flashlights and books for your indoor fort adventures.
8. Explore a National Park via Google Maps. Did you know that 62 National Parks are all available on Google Maps for you to tour on your electronic device? Check out the gigantic trees in Redwood National Forest. Go for a virtual hike in Zion National Park. Or check out the glaciers in Alaska’s Denali National Park.
9. Learn how to sew. You don’t need a sewing machine to create. Using a needle, thread and some material, you can teach your kiddos how to do simple things like sew a button or stitch a simple pillow together.
10. Make a family time capsule. Use your indoor time to teach your kids about a family time capsule and create one for your family. Chances are, you have all the supplies right inside your house. Ask each family member to write or draw a memory and include something in the capsule to save. Then decide when in the future your family will open the capsule.
Staying indoors is a great way to bond and discover new ways to adventure. Don’t forget to go on a journey of a lifetime with Buck as he navigates through the exotic wilds of the Alaskan Yukon. Get it now on digital!
Right now, our social media feed is filled with engaging and inspiring online content; we love watching Laurie Berkner live in her living room, virtually touring the National Gallery of Art and taking free ballet lessons online. But it’s nice to squeeze in some hands-on activities into the daily lesson plan, too. Running out of pipe cleaners and scrap paper to fill the void? These DC businesses are offering kits so you can craft, cook and be curious about learning right in your own home. You can grab these curbside or order a box for delivery. Scroll on for our favorite DIY kits for little makers in Washington, DC.
Make-At-Home Pizza Kits
You can’t lug Stellina Pizzeria’s brick oven home for baking, but you can grab a pizza kit to-go. Dough, sauce, cheese and toppings are included for curbside pick up or delivery. Make dinner time an art competition: have fun making individual pies into masterpieces. Before you eat be sure to judge who has the most artful toppings. Buon appetito!
Cost: $15
399 Morse St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.851.3995
Online: stellinapizzeria.com
Be a Sparkling Detective
Studying rocks is fun. Inspecting gemstones is even better! The Gemology Detective Kit from Hunt Country Jewelers features everything you need to identify gems, including an authentic jeweler’s loupe, gem tweezers, workbooks and, of course, gems! Still looking for some guidance? The Purcellville jewelry shop will soon be streaming how-to videos to help with the process. Kits can be ordered online.
Sew Much Fun
Three Little Birds, a sewing company in Hyattsville, is offering local delivery, curbside pick up and shipments of a wide variety of their fabrics and maker kits. Make a quilt fit for a dollhouse; teeny tiny 6 inch quilting kits are perfect for tucking in your child’s favorite miniature doll after completion. There are also cross stitch, felting, embroidery and knitting kits. Or order some fabric for your own personal project.
Kil’n It with Pottery Crafts
Skip the kiln with these ready-to-ship pottery pieces from Big Dog Pots. Customize your piece with five pick-your-own paint colors (included in each order) for a personalized piece. These paints don’t need to be fired, so once your paint dries, your piece is ready to be displayed. If you want that post-kiln, shiny finish, simply spray with Krylon’s high gloss sealer.
Dig for Gold
We’re not sure there is any gold in these here parts, but there are rocks, gems and arrowheads to dig for. Great Country Farms (GCF) has filled each of these to-go bags with special surprises hidden in dirt. Grab your beach sifter and a kiddie pool and get ready to pan like a gold miner. Or sprinkle one of these kits over a special area for an authentic dig. When you place your order (only available for curbside pick up), be sure to add GCF’s famous donuts to go. You can also add fresh farm eggs, spinach, kale and pre-filled Easter eggs to your order.
That’s a Wrap
Roll your way to sweet and gooey goodness with take-and-bake French cooking kits from Petite LouLou Crêperie & Café. Just in time for Easter, they are also offering their famous Cadbury filled croissants for home baking complete with an online tutorial. Kids can also whip up homemade Nutella from scratch with the guidance of a Zoom how-to class. We can’t think of a sweeter way to spend a lazy afternoon. You can pick up your kit at Union Market or drive to their flagship store in Purcellville.
Cost: Starting at $15
Union Market
1309 5th St. NE
Washington, DC 20002
713 E Main St.
Purcellville, VA 20132
(540) 441-3135
Online:
Despite your best intentions to cut down on waste, chances are scrap paper, old newspapers and magazines from 2014 you promised yourself you’d read one day inevitably end up in your recycling bin. Before sending your paper goods off to recycling heaven, check out the below ideas for upcycling your remnants into cool creations.
Skip the card aisle on your next Target run, and use up that pile of scrap paper instead! This easy idea is great for kids or adults, and simply involves cutting creative-shaped pieces of paper and pasting to a folded card. Need some inspo? We love this idea from Glitter on a Dime!
Paper Bunting
iStock
Whether you use glue or a sewing machine, its simple to use those scrap paper pieces for DIY bunting. Cut into your desired shape, then string up. We love this heart-shaped idea from One Bunting Away.
Create a Scrapbook
iStock
Those beautiful bits of scraps are perfect for a scrapbook! Help your little piece together the bitty bits to make a background or jazz up an otherwise boring page. This is a great on-going activity!
Never lose your place in your favorite read again armed with a handy homemade bookmark. Options for this easy upcycling project is to have your kids decorate or doodle on scrap paper or to cut up an old postcard into bookmark-worthy shapes.
If you have remnant construction paper or one-sided documents you no longer need, turn them into a notepad. All you need is scissors, a stapler and extra paper!
Show-off those smiling faces with a handmade frame. Opt to use colorful pieces of scrap paper or origami paper to make your frame really pop. For the step-by-step tutorial hop over to Make: for the scoop.
Roll your scrap paper into small crinkled balls and let your kids go wild painting them. The end result is a colorful, frame-worthy piece of art. Get the full instructions from Buggy and Buddy blog.
A 9-year-old girl from Michigan has taken imaginative play to the next level. This aspiring fashion designer has a special gift for dressing her Barbie dolls. Recently, she even caught the eye of Mattel.
Sha’Kvia Woods, Nevaeh’s mom knew her daughter was a fashionista from an early age. She said, “She would always carry a Barbie doll around with her trying her best to match her doll’s clothing with her outfit for the day.”
While Nevaeh has always been very creative, over the past six months she started expressing a desire to design clothing. After Neveah told her mom, “You must create the life you want.” they purchased enough supplies to get her started.
Nevaeh draws her inspiration from her mother and both of her grandmothers. From a young age she would critique their outfits and pick out their accessories. Woods said, “She is very particular and knows exactly what she likes. I have to say she is definitely a natural.”
When Woods posted Neveah’s designs on her Facebook page, she didn’t expect to go viral, garnering nearly 9,000 shares. Mattel took notice and a representative from Barbie’s social team reached out to the budding designer.
Since receiving a package of new Barbie dolls from Mattel, Nevaeh has continued designing new looks. She currently crafts her outfits using scissors, socks and a hot glue gun, but she is determined to learn how to sew.
Going forward Nevaeh has her sights set high. In the future, she hopes to see her designs on a runway in Paris.
Woods said that when her daughter puts her mind to something, she is unstoppable.
When it comes to Halloween costumes for kids, there’s nothing quite like the original, DIY Halloween costumes you see on the festival circuit and at your front door on the big night. So, in order to inspire major creativity in parents everywhere, we collected 33 of the most jaw-dropping homemade costume ideas that anyone—from Martha’s protege to the totally last-minute types—can tackle. Keep reading and check ’em out.
How adorable is this giraffe costume? With a little paint, a leotard and a headpiece bought off Amazon, your little animal lover will be wildly appropriate for Halloween night in no time. Get the tutorial over at Brit + Co.
Five supplies are all you need to make this sweet strawberry from Pretty Life Girls. After a quick trip to the craft store, you can whip up this no-sew costume that is adorable, but more importantly is comfortable for kids and adults, too!
Do you have a BART or DART or some sort of public train system in your area? Using a cardboard box, markers and pictures of your kid and her friends, you can make a wearable train car for your kid this Halloween. The trickiest part is the straps, for which you can use old suspenders, old straps off a tote bag or even fabric.
This lucky girl had her father make a snow globe costume in just three days. With foam, lots of paint, cardboard, plastic and of course, a coconut, it’s the perfect, enlarged version of the classic travel souvenir. Check out the entire project, and see all the materials here.
This precious wind-up doll from Hart and Sew has us in “awwww!” Quite possibly one of the easiest and cutest DIY’s we’ve seen, anyone can make a version of this genius idea. Head over to Hart and Sew to get the details.
Figuring out how to make your own Rubik’s Cube costume will be easier than actually solving the classic brain-bending puzzle. Colored paper, electrical tape and cardboard are your main ingredients, but we think the groovy glasses and sweet hairdo add a little something extra, too.
This Pac-Man costume will thrill kids of all ages! We love the pixelated fruits and sunglasses added for extra appeal. If you’re worried about having the skill set to make your own, don’t be. The hardest part of this project will be getting it off your kid at the end of Halloween night. There’s even a tutorial to make an adult-sized ghost! Find out how it’s done and what you’ll need over at The Effortless Chic.
The crayons may have quit on you, but Brittany from The House that Lars Built sure hasn’t. This adorable and easy-to-replicate tribute to the popular picture book is fun and perfect for a group of friends or a family. Find out what you’ll need to make it happen over at The House that Lars Built.
If you’ve got a white sheet, rubber snakes, and a wig, you’ll probably have everything you need to make your own version of this mythical Medusa costume. A beginner set of sewing skills could be handy for the toga (sheet) and a cape but the snakes are what makes this stare-worthy costume shine.
It seems as though hipsters have taken over the world—why not Halloween, too? This adorable idea is super simple because you’ll only need to make the cardboard boombox. There’s even an option for adding a tape player, which, of course, is hipster approved. Bonus points for funny little mustaches! Find out more by visiting A Subtle Revelry.
If there’s a little kid who hasn’t been obsessed with Curious George at some point, we haven’t met him yet. Indulge your kiddo's love of the classic literary figure and create a Man with the Yellow Hat outfit. We love this no-sew version spotted over at Haute Apple Pie because while you might need to spend time collecting the gear, you won’t be sweating over stitches at the final hour. Find out what you’ll need to make your own version here.
If not the colors, then the simplicity of this gorgeous bird costume from Mer Mag will have you in awe. The handmade bird legs are especially awesome. Fly over to over at Mer Mag for more info.
This idea from Small Fry Blog has both direction and magnitude. It’s also hilarious and easy to whip up on your own. Plus, if you’ve got a minion-loving tyke at home, it’s the perfect Halloween combo. Find out what pieces make this look come together over at Small Fry Blog.
This is an easy, and great idea for using up all those boxes from Amazon! Just be warned— this cool costume could have other trick or treaters trying to get the candy to dispense. A Slinky, paint and a few other items are all you’ll need to make your own version of this tasty get-up. Head over to Thrifty and Thriving to get the entire tutorial.
It’s sew simple to make your own version of this clever costume. The hardest part might be finding the right lampshade to shape the spool. Wondering what else you’ll need? Head over to Maker Mama for the complete tutorial.
She’ll be as darling as the Delft milkmaids themselves, with a bright and cheery costume like this one from Creative Jewish Mom. Mom Sara found everything she needed from around the house and provides the tutorial for making the crochet wig, here. If you don’t have the skills (or time) to whip up a wig of your own, consider a grabbing one from the local costume store, instead.
Leslie of Pink Stripey Socks is at it again, and this time she’s come up with a seriously simple spider costume perfect for Halloween. Inspired by the book, Scaredy-Cat Splat, this adorable outfit can be made in a single afternoon. Gather your materials, which include black stockings, yarn, and sharpie markers, and head over to Pink Stripey Socks to find out how it’s done.
Whether you need one costume or many, like Melinda from Melinda Beth, a can of Play-Doh is a clever and creative idea for little trick-or-treaters. We love the upcycling concept of this idea, as well as the basic material list (poster board, hot glue, spray paint, bucket lids). Get the entire tutorial over at Melinda Beth.
Bacon and Egg
Bacon and egg—the classic combo. This quick costume (about two hours from start to finish) is a fun idea for siblings! Find out how to duct-tape your way to costume bliss by watching the YouTube tutorial here.
Mini fashionista by day, sweet superhero by night—your tot wants to play the hero without giving up her sense of style. This adorable DIY from Brit + Co will give her a little bit of both. While this one does require a bit of stitching, the easy-to-follow tutorial means you can handle it in one afternoon. Grab the details here.
If your kids are anything like ours then Ninjago rules. Your spinjitzu master can pick his favorite student (Lloyd, Kai, Cole?) and you can go from there. Finding all matching colors for each suit is easy, but the small touches like shoulder gear and certain weapons give each costume a unique look. Delia of Delia Creates shows us how it’s done, so hop on over for the low-down.
We love this creative llama costume from Mer Mag. With just a few items on the supply list, the hardest part about this project might be procuring the poncho and hitching a ride to Peru! Find out what you’ll need over at Mer Mag.
If your kiddo wants to run away and join the circus, indulge her fantasy by whipping up a version of this whimsical clown costume we spotted over at Classy Clutter. From the cheery colors to the fact that this DIY starts with a leotard, we think your little ringmaster will love life under the big top. Find out how to get started by clicking here.
Here’s one that’ll stand out in a crowd of costume-adorned kiddos. Dana of Made Everyday starts with an orange t-shirt and shorts and adds felt, hot glue, some stitching to make something truly unique. You can get the details over at Made Everyday.
How creative and easy is this flower pot costume? The perfect size for your toddler, he or she can even pick out the type of flowers that'll adorn the pot! Find out how to make your own over at Clumsy Crafter.
You don’t usually hear “robot costume” and “easy” in the same sentence. We love this version from Creative Jewish Mom; not only is it designed for all-day wear (your kid can actually sit down!), but you don’t have to collect boxes for a year to make it happen. Head over to Creative Jewish Mom to see how it’s done.
Everyone's favorite elven warrior from the ‘80s is back, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. For your little Legend of Zelda fans, this adorable Link costume from Carrie Elle is the perfect fit. And, the best part? You won’t need to sew a thing! Find out what you’ll need to get started over at Carrie Elle.
Parents, if you’ve ever had to commute and from the office, then you’ll appreciate this creative take on “the rat race.” It’ll take some coordinating to make it happen, but the results are guaranteed to see a few chuckles when your crew knocks on doors come Halloween night. Take a closer look over at Handmade Charlotte.
Adorning jackets, bags, shoes and just about everything else with flair has made a comeback in a big way. This adorable idea from A Subtle Revelry is super-easy to replicate (only six supplies needed!), and totally on trend. Find the tutorial over at A Subtle Revelry.
For a last-minute costume that couldn’t be cuter, why not go for a buzzing bumble bee? If you have a headband and black ruffle ribbon already stored away in your house, then you’re halfway there!
Belts—lots and lots of belts. That’s the key to re-creating the classic Tim Burton character. Oh, and an incredibly patient parent, too. Dressing up like the sweet and just-a-little-spooky Edward Scissorhands is gonna take some time. Want to dive in? Check out the DIY info at Instructables.
Instead of dressing up like Disney’s favorite flyer, why not embody his mischievous doppelgänger instead? A unique twist on a classic childhood tale, the hardest part about this cool costume is the hat. FYI: Your kiddo will totally be able to breathe, says DIY blogger mama Nicole of Tikkido.
The holiday gift giving season is upon us. Never before have we been offered the ease of procuring whatever we want to give to whomever we want. Online retailers deliver unique items to our doorstep at all hours of the day and night with the slightest bit of effort on our part. We have access to a staggeringly expansive selection of all manner of items to give but we still often end up purchasing the most touted and “pushed to the top of our Amazon queue” items.
When I look at these lists of “Best Toys” and “Top 10 Holiday Gifts,” I am often disappointed.
While technology or technology-enabled toys will always be heavily represented in these lists, I’d love to challenge all of us this year to include toys that are tech-free in our offerings. We could change the world if we gave priority to toys that encourage a sense of embodiment creative invention and presence. Technology-enabled play items often short change these opportunities. In addition, they elevate the stimulation a child experiences in relation to play things creating an inoculation-type reaction to toys that might encourage the development of boredom tolerance or creative expression and struggle.
Boredom tolerance and the ability to persist are correlated with creativity and resilience. While technology-focused items certainly feed a desire to persist, they are often doing so via addictive neural pathways. This is different than focusing one’s attention on slow moving tasks or in playing in such a way that small failures can lead to new insights and growth.
Why not provide toys that offer children more? Not “more all-sensory-channels-stimulation” or “more bells and whistles”—instead, more opportunities to be present in their bodies, in playful and curious ways? This may require more than normal buy in but getting this is worth it for the massive creative and resiliency that can be developed through such play.
LEGO and Playmobil both offer toys that develop creativity and imagination as are any number of “pretend play” props (think costumes, props for story telling and such). Skill based toys such as Kendamas, diabolos, yo-yos, jump ropes and juggling balls allow a child to try, fail, succeed in powerful ways. Kinetic sand and thinking putty may seem like a bland gift but can become treasures as one becomes familiar with their regulating potential when over stimulated.
Musical instruments are fantastic as are art supplies for open ended exploration. Gifts of experiences—think tickets to a play or makers faire or sporting event or gift cards to local golf ranges, improv theater classes or circus arts schools—are similarly wonderful.
All these things and more could be huge helpers in raising children who can focus, delay gratification and regulate their internal selves and their outward expressions of that self.
Here’s a quick list of some great tech-free toys that make great holiday gifts.
Creativity-Building Toys: Art Supplies (e.g: Paint/Brushes/Canvases, Leather and Leather Letter Stamps, Clay), Sewing or Weaving Supplies and Tools, Musical Instruments, Costumes
Experiential Gifts: Tickets to plays or concerts, memberships to local museums and zoos, subscription to a “gift of the month” or “book of the month” club, valuable coupons to take the recipient and a friend to a movie, festival or car race, skating, dancing, or to a cooking, sewing, or art class
doreen dodgen-magee is a psychologist, author, & speaker who thinks about how technology is shaping people. Her book, Deviced! Balancing Life & Technology in a Digital Age was awarded the 2018 Gold Nautilus Award for Psychology & has been featured in the New York Times, Time Magazine, & the Washington Post.
After 12-year-old Darius Brown heard about the animals displaced by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, he had to help. That’s when he jumped into action—founding Beaux & Paws!
So what exactly is Beaux & Paws? This awesome effort provides handmade bow ties to dogs in need. Not only do the dogs get a serious style upgrade, but as Brown hopes, the new neckwear may help the abandoned pets find their forever homes faster. The young philanthropist told TODAY, “It helps the dog look noticeable, very attractive.”
Brown, who was diagnosed with speech, comprehension and fine motor skills delays at age two, started making bow ties when he was eight-years-old. His older sister, Dazhai Brown-Shearz, told TODAY, “With his fine motor skills, he wasn’t able to really use his hands well—tying a shoe was challenging.” She went on to add, “My mother and I came up with the idea that if he helped us with things like prepping the ribbon or cutting it, and sewing fabric together, it would help him. And it did—it worked!”
Four years later brown is still making bow ties and helping shelter dogs across the country. And don’t think this young man’s efforts have gone unnoticed until now. In 2018 President Barack Obama sent Brown a letter of encouragement and according to Brown’s Go Fund Me page, NBA star Allen Houston, actress Kenya Moore and other notable names have recognized his accomplishments.
If you’d like to contribute to Brown’s cause, visit his Go Fund Me page here!
