Rainy Day Playdates at the Bookstore

 

Paulo is wearing “Take Flight” from Le Top’s 2010 Fall/Winter collection.

When you schedule playdates in advanced, you hope the weather will be warm enough so you can meet up with your child’s friends at the park. I like meeting at a playground because it gives Paulo a chance to run around and burn off energy so that he naps well in the afternoon. Since we can’t always rely on the weatherman’s forecast, my Mommy friends and I always have a back-up place to meet in case it’s raining or if it’s too cold. That place is our local Barnes & Noble. Unfortunately, this is the back-up plan for everyone else, too. But that’s okay. It works out somehow.

Our bookstore has a train table in the children’s book section. They have a few trains for the kids to play with, and it’s cute (and sometimes not-so-cute) to see them learn how to share. Parents are also allowed to pick up a book from the shelves and read to their children. They have a little table and a few chairs, or you can even sit on the floor with your child on your lap and spend a quiet moment entertaining them with a story or two. Once a week, our bookstore has Story Time. The kids sit around the stage area while one of the staff members reads to the children. At the end of Story Time, they provide a small snack. Best part of Barnes & Noble? They have a Starbucks so I can order a grande soy caramel macchiato with whipped cream and enjoy drinking it while Paulo plays at the train table. Bliss!

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Le Top Tip: Check out your local parks

What child doesn’t want to go play at the park? We have our usual places that Lilah deems “hers,” but lately we’ve been trying out some other local playgrounds. My husband found this fabulous park that has an awesome play structure that Lilah can’t get enough of. We’ve met up with other moms and kids and hiked around the edges. There are all kinds of little areas for picnics and walks. If you have one that has a track or a baseball diamond you can even turn it into a full family affair. There is something for everyone to enjoy. Your city’s website will often have a listing of its parks. Get out and off the beaten path and try a new playground each week. You’ll be happy you did!

 

Ah... to be a kid again!

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Stop! Go! Play!

We put our heads together and wanted to give our two thumbs up to the two games of the day!  Whether you are in a city park, local playground or backyard – these outdoor games are sure to be fun, active and will have your little ones singing (and learning) primary colors, especially RED!

Red Light, Green Light
# of Kiddies: Appropriate for all ages
Ages: 2+

Why?: Red Light, Green Light is a game children of different ages can play.  It is also one of those traditional games any adult will remember playing as child and will want to play too!  The stop and go nature of this game is good for cardio and will increase your child’s awareness of body movement and listening skills.

What to Bring: nada!

How to Play:  One person is designated as “it” and plays the part of the stop light – if you only have 1 or 2 kids with you, it might be best if you (the parent/adult) play the role of “it”.  Have the kids line up about 20 feet away on the grass from the “it” person. “It” turns his/her back to the kids and calls out “Green light!” The players then run as fast as they can towards “it”. At any time, “it” can face the players and call out “Red light”, and the others must freeze in place like a statue. If the kids are caught moving, they should go back to the start line.  The game continues until someone reaches and tags the “it” person, and the new person becomes “it.”  The sure trick to winning this game is to move smoothly so that you can freeze instantly until you are within reach of “it.”

Play Ballllll!!!!
# of Kiddies: 1+
Ages: Appropriate for all ages

Why?:  Playing with any ball is good hand-eye coordination, and can be a fun way to incorporate cardio into your child’s day of play.

What to Bring: A ball (a kickball or medium sized inflated ball)

How to Play #1 (for 1): Kick the ball around in the grass or see how high you can throw the ball in the air and catch it.

How to Play #2 (for 2): Play a simple game of throw and catch or for you city kids – bounce the ball against a cement wall and see who throw the ball as many times as they can against the wall without missing. If you want to bring a hula-hoop to the park, you can throw balls through the hula-hoop (pretend it is a circus!).  Lastly, you can play a game of just kicking the ball back and forth, and whoever ‘misses’ the ball “scores” a goal.

How to Play #3 (for 3): Play ‘Monkey in the Middle” where 3 people stand in a line and the two people on each end of the line throw the ball between the middle person who is trying to sneak/catch the ball away!

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