After days of playing with things for which primary function is not to be a toy, today we are going to explore ways to play with an actual toy! Most of the children have some kind of building blocks in their playroom and today we shall enjoy 3 different activities with a same toy – building blocks play activities.
First off, what kid doesn’t have blocks? They could be the wooden blocks with the letters of the alphabet on them, it could be magnetic blocks, it could even be a block set that you make on your own. So how do you get your kids to play with them besides emptying them on the floor and leaving them everywhere?
Keep reading for a few suggestions that will keep your kids happy and your sanity in check.
Building Block Play – Engineering
Did you know that by simply stacking blocks and manipulating them as they increase in height is an engineering activity? I have taught my daughter so many concepts with these blocks.
She has successfully learned how buildings work and why they do not topple over. To demonstrate this I used some of the handy snow that seems to be here to stay (we still have mounds of snow outside) as well as her blocks.
Building Block Math – Counting and Sorting
This one may seem obvious, but it has to be said. Have you ever listened to your children when they are playing with groups of items? My daughter loves to count and sort her blocks. My son, on the other hand, loves to knock them over and smile.
You can easily do a math lesson while sitting down and stacking blocks with your child. How? With each block you stack, count them. “Let’s build a tower of blue blocks!! One, two, three…ten!! Wow, how many blocks does our blue tower have? Ten!! Can you show me ten fingers? Awesome!”
Once this conversation is done, just get right back to building towers, cities or whatever your child desires.
Make Your Own Cardboard Building Blocks
If you do not want to go the traditional route of wooden blocks then there is another solution. You can make your own building blocks with recycled items. Pick some old shoe boxes and cardboard boxes to make giant building blocks for play time.
Children will enjoy a new experience with these oversized homemade building toys and find different ways to use them for play. They might even surprise you!
Alecia is a mom of 2 and blogger at No Stress Homeschooling where she strives to create a preschool resource (science experiments, sensory activities, etc) for homeschooling moms.
In Less Toys. More Play. article series we share ideas how to reduce toy consumerism, unclutter child’s rooms and bring more engaged play to our children.
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