PlanetKid » Play

Escape the Heat With Indoor Fun

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 07 May 2012 04:00:54 +0000

It’s hot here in Florida — already. We’re talking temps in the 90s, lots of sunscreen, and kids who seek water and air conditioning after a good chunk of time outdoors. Inside time is important in the heat of summer (I know, it’s not summer yet, but, still, scorching days have arrived), but how do we keep our kiddos engaged NOT in electronic zombie-like activities, to which they often seem pulled like magnets. One idea: Set up a puzzle on a card table in the middle of your living space and encourage the whole family to participate — a prize goes to the person who adds the final piece! How about card games, board games, arts and crafts, and more? Share your ideas in the comments!

Playdate Waivers—What?

Jacki Donaldson — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 04:00:21 +0000

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Clever Kids Carnival

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 05:00:58 +0000

We attended the school carnival this past weekend, and, I must say, I had a lot of fun. Not that I did anything, really, except watch my kids, but that’s the thrill for me — watching my boys have a great time. It was also pretty cool to check out the clever stops that kept all the kids engaged. The No. 1 hit for my kids was the soda ring toss. Parents donated 2L bottles of you-name-it sodas, and a long line of elementary school kiddos wrapped around the school grounds. Each turn came with five chances to ring a bottle, and, somehow, we ended up with eight (EIGHT!) bottles. Yikes. There was also the ever-popular color hair spray — one of my boys chose red; the other went with white. Inflatable bouncy events (obstacle course!), snow cones, fishing game, cake walk, football toss, silent auction, and more filled our morning, and, if your school does not yet host a carnival, you should spearhead the project and make it happen. The kids have fun, the parents do, too, and the point is to raise a little money (armbands sold for $12 pre-sale and $15 at the door for all-you-can-play fun — no tickets to mess with at all). Let us know if you’ve got a fancy school carnival or if you’re planning to bring one to fruition!

Kids Outside

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:00:04 +0000

Sun shining. Breezy winds. Shorts and t-shirts on a mid-February day. Beautiful. And the kids just want to hang inside watching TV and plugging into games galore. You know the drill, right? Yea, me, too! Today, instead of letting boys hibernate inside, the dad and I forced them into the great outdoors. To the backyard they went, then behind the fence to a wooded area, and, before long, they were mowing a path, wielding sticks, and building a fort (there was also a small amount of blood at the end of day, but what’s a successful trek outside with a battle wound?). It was glorious — the way they embraced nature, worked together, soaked up the fresh air. It didn’t last the whole day long, but it was super all the same.

What do you do to get your kiddos off the couch and into the wild?

Twin Moves

Jacki Donaldson — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 04:00:06 +0000

Tattoo Barbie — Would You Buy?

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:14 +0000

There was once a Barbie doll with tattoo stickers kids could put on and take off. Now, there’s a new Barbie sporting permanent tattoos climbing up her neck. She also wears an off-the-shoulder number, pleather mini-skirt, leopard skin leggings, and pink hair. Pretty cool? Or not so much? I mean, young girls are the likely recipients of this already sold-out toy, and is the image Barbie sets forth the right one for our little ones? You tell us!

Overnight Camping Kid

Jacki Donaldson — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 04:00:59 +0000

My kid left home. Well, just for a few days, in order to pursue an overnight camp adventure with all the other fifth-graders in his school. Two nights and three days, he’ll be gone, and it’s proving to be quite a profound experience for us at home. For one, it’s lonely — we really miss our big kid — and, two, it’s really fun for the little kid, who is loving all the solo parent love and attention. Three, I’ve realized I depend on the 10-year-old as a back-up alarm (he hops right up in the morning, dresses, reads, and I know that if I oversleep, he’ll come get me), and right now, I have no safety net. Four, we are absolutely thrilled that our oldest child has the chance to be totally independent and on his own. And finally, we hope he and his little bro both want to do a summer sleep-away camp, because they’ve both been resistant to participate in summers past, and maybe this intro to camp will be the push they need. It’s just been, overall, a great awakening for all of us. How about you? Have your kids ever left home?

Super Cool: Playhouse Slipcover

Jacki Donaldson — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:36:13 +0000

Now this is so very cute — a slipcover that transforms a table into a playhouse. OK, maybe the old-school fort made of blankets from the linen closet is cool, too, but you can’t argue, this is adorable! (Click on image for more information and photo credit.)

Hot Summer Toys

Jacki Donaldson — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 04:00:27 +0000

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Germs in the Playroom: Wednesday Wisdom

Jacki Donaldson — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 05:00:24 +0000

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