Birch Forest 2

Here are some more scenes from our playing in the birch forest. It was easy to create this little forest We used light blue Crayola Model Magic as the "ground", birch paper straws from Cupcake Social on etsy, and a few buttons, toys, and mushrooms.

Literally, children's imaginations can take this simple idea anywhere.

It was sooo fun to stage and play - okay, mostly play!  We did play A. LOT.  It's the simple things that allow the most imaginative play.  You could make this bigger for more toys or you could make individual for table top play for a classroom or for toddlers and children who will play side by side but not together.

Check out Cupcake Social on etsy.  She has a TON of amazing party stuff.  I will definitely be ordering from her in the the future for parties AND play.

What will you play today?

Have a fun and playful day
Mel

Planting a Toddler Garden

Roo had so much fun helping Big Sister make her Rainbow Forest that I decided to create something just for her to do and realized that it is a great fine muscle builder!  I had random fake flowers left over from a project, picked up the wooden fence recently in Target's Dollar Spot (it was $3), and used a coupon at Joann to get the Crayola Model Magic for under $3.

First, let the child squish and smoosh the model magic into the "garden".  This was a lot of fun.  Roo doesn't like much sensory stuff like playdough, because it leaves a film on her fingers.  But Model Magic does not feel like that at all and she loved it.

Then, just start poking the plants in.

Add more and more...

Yes, we did add some broccoli heads.  We had them left over from the weekend and were kind of soft.  But it does make a good connection...broccoli>garden>plants>earth.

Of course, I added some animals.

They are Jesse James Dress It Up buttons.

It actually makes a cute centerpiece, right?

Love her chunky little hands.

I think she had more fun "picking" from the garden!  What can I say?  She is a toddler.  Destroying things is in her dna.

As we are expecting yet another snow, it's fun to plant a garden and hope for Spring.  Hurry, Spring!  What's the saying...To Plant A Garden Is To Hope For The Future. 

Have a fun and playful day!
Mel