Mud Vs. Finger Paints

Quick note: I’m over on Calista Taylor’s blog talking about It’s All Kid’s Play, the importance of play in childhood, and the crossover from fiction writing to nonfiction writing. We’d love to see you there–feel free to drop a comment and weigh in on mud vs. finger paints. That’s right. It’s on like Donkey Kong!

(And if you are wondering about this crazy Kid’s Play thing of mine and want a little crash course and missed Jemi Fraser’s mini tour of It’s All Kid’s Play, it’s still up on her blog.)
Thanks and happy Trails!

Let’s Play for Real!

There’s this great video on The National (CBC) about slow parenting that’s got me pumped about how I’m parenting, and about my It’s all Kid’s Play website. It also makes me hopeful. Maybe allowing free play for kids will take hold again. Because what are we really doing to our kids and their development with this crazy shuttling around from activity to activity? Does the average kid get to learn who they really are? What they want? Do they get time to sit quietly and listen to themselves? In a lot of ways, as the video says, “We’re outsourcing childhood to adults because we think we can do it better and safer.” Yikes!

Anyway, it is a great video for parents, teachers, kids, and well, anyone who’s ever had a childhood or looked at family and said, “What the heck are you doing? You are parenting ALL wrong!”

This short video on play (Seriously: The Movie) is also really good. It’ll get you thinking about play, too.

As well, fabulous Jemi Fraser took a little tour of It’s All Kid’s Play and its blog the other day and shared it with her very lovely blog readers. You can check that out here.

I’m also tweeting kids activities, family activities, arts and crafts, links, and articles on parenting, play, free play, slow parenting, and so much more over on Twitter (@KidsPlay) as well. Come join me! (I’ll also be creating a Facebook page where I will share these tidbits for those of you who are not into Twitter, but are looking for activities to do with your children as well as interesting little parenting bits.)

P.S. Wondering what “slow parenting” is? Here is a quote from writer Carl Honore (featured on The National above):

“Slow parenting is about bringing a bit of balance back. It’s about giving children the time and space to explore the world on their own terms and their own pace. And to make mistakes and learn from them. To get bored, even, so they can learn how to create and to invent their own fun and work out who they are rather than who we want them to be.”

Family Fun

Looking for some last minute gift ideas for the kids to make the relatives? Looking for activities to do with the whole family? Or maybe just a craft or two for the kiddos in your life? Maybe wondering how to track Santa? Or wondering how to make shortbread for when that big guy makes his way down your chimney tonight?

Well guess what? I’ve been tweeting some of my kids play ideas over on Twitter under @KidsPlay, so if you want to track Santa, have him send a personal video message to your friends or kids, I’ve got the links for you!

I’d love to see you on Twitter. Stop by and say hi to me! I’m right here: http://twitter.com/#!/KidsPlay

Virtual Easter Egg Hunt

Happy Easter!

Check out the virtual Easter Egg hunt over on It’s All Kids’ Play website and blog today.

It’s free, fun and will make you look like the Easter Bunny.

It’s All Kid’s Play Gets a Recommendation

The It’s All Kid’s Play website and blog (created by Jean Oram) got a recommendation from writer and editor Matt Sinclair over on his blog, Matt Sinclair’s Coffee Cup. Check it out. (He always has amusing polls going on as well.) While he believes he “was born aware of how to make armpit farts”, he points out the fact that some of the activities are not as common. For example, curling. Who knew American kids are unaware of curling?

If you haven’t checked out the It’s All Kid’s Play (dot ca) website with over 700 free (and almost free) activities aimed at keeping children from uttering the dreaded words, “I’m bored”, check it out! It’s fun and free. (P.S. You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy some of the activities.)