Outdoor Play

Making a “Scene” in the Sand

Posted on by Playful Project Mom Cindy

What’s in your beach bag? If you’re like me, the beach toys in your bag include plastic shovels and buckets, and various sand molds for some good digging, sand-castle-building fun. Why do I like sand, whether it’s on the beach …

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Getting Fit with Fun!

Posted on by Playful Project Mom Cindy

There’s more to playing ball than soccer, basketball and baseball. Be sure to try out these fun and creative ways of getting fit with your new sponge ball; you can even try water-based games to encourage active fun! Fly Swatter …

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Having a Ball!

Posted on by Playful Project Mom Cindy

Getting your kids to be physically fit at a young age starts in the toy box. And since summer gives your kids every excuse to be outdoors, you can help them be active by creating this simple sponge ball. Your …

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Exploring Summer

Posted on by Playful Project Mom Cindy

There is something magical about summer, isn’t there?  Summer is so outside, so alive! And, besides air conditioning, there are hardly any indoor summer memories. But who wants to be cold during the beautiful summer months?! My childhood memories of …

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The Dirty Days of Summer Project

Posted on by Playful Project Mom Cindy

I have a bucket list of activities I want to accomplish with my kids this summer. Even down to the little things like having a lemonade stand. But as I reflect on these first few days of summer break, I …

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Picnic Fun for the Whole Family

Posted on by Ask Grandma Maria

Summer’s finally here. The kids are out of school. And you want to do something special together as a family. Nothing expensive, just plain fun. Well… what about a kid’s picnic! When my kids were young, this was the perfect …

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Ahhh, the Joys of Family Camping!

Posted on by Ask Grandma Maria

What’s not to love about the great outdoors? Plenty of fresh air. The simplicity and rediscovery of nature. And a chance for the whole family to have good, clean fun— together! Camping with kids can be a great adventure for …

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10 Secret Tips for Productive Playdates

Posted on by Ask Grandma Maria

Playdates for kids can be a whole lot of fun — plus a great way to help build social skills, deepen friendships, and teach about sharing, compromise, and cooperation too. However…they can also be a total disaster if not planned …

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Teaching Kids to Go Green

Posted on by Ask Grandma Maria

The days of not caring about our environment or not making any efforts to support sustainability are truly a thing of the past.  In fact, parents of the past probably weren’t even half as aware as we are today of …

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The Art of Messy Play: Letting Kids be Kids

Posted on by Ask Grandma Maria

There’s always that one parent with the “perfect” kid. You know the one I’m talking about. The one whose child’s nose never runs. Whose child’s clothes are always meticulously pressed and starched. Whose child’s hands never get dirty. In other …

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