Parenting Expert » Play http://www.parentingexpert.info Baby and Child Raising Advice Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:56:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 en Imaginative Play http://www.parentingexpert.info/imaginative-play/ http://www.parentingexpert.info/imaginative-play/#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 00:00:00 +0000 admin http://www.parentingexpert.info/?p=10 Children naturally have an active imagination. And one of the easiest and cheapest forms of entertainment is to monopolise their imagination – something as simple as a blanket over the lounge to form a makeshift tent or cave can result in hours of play on a rainy day. Add an empty cling wrap roll for a telescope and a tea towel as a cape, and you have a ready-made pirate outfit. Make a crown from a magazine page or leftover cereal boxes, a wand from another cling wrap roll (perhaps painted or decorated by the child) and an instant princess costume. Involve the child in the preparation of the regalia and there’s some more time taken up. There’s no need to turn on the television or spend money to entertain children – they can do a great job themselves with minimum effort and outlay.

Home-made play dough, paints or even a simple baking exercise can keep children happy, and give them a talking point for anyone that comes their way. My daughter still talks about making cookies and cupcakes, and for the price of a box of mix and an egg, you even have something the family can enjoy and share afterwards!

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