This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx
Even before it was announced that school and activities were going to be out for a while I knew we needed a box filled to the brim with activities that I could reach to to keep my kids busy over the summer. And now it’s even more important – not having school Is one thing, but not being able to go on play dates or go to the park or any of our normal activities? So, so, brutal. But I’ve been impressed with how my kids have handled everything and we’ve actually managed to have fun, and one way we’ve done this is with our busy box, or bin, that I reach to every time I hear a kid say “I’m bored.” So what are some tried and true favorites in our box?
*Educational (but fun) activities – These are my favorite type of activities and toys to buy the kids. Ones that are so fun they don’t even realize that they’re learning too! Here are our favorites that we have in our box:
–LeapFrog® LeapStart® 3D Learning System: One of my favorite things has been watching Maddie Grace and Tripp play with this together! It’s great to see them bonding and learning simultaneously. The touch and talk activities enhance learning with fun animations so it really engages them! And there are 30+ activities in every book, we love the 2 book combo pack!! You can find this at Walmart, Target or Amazon!
–Magic Sketch™ from Boogie Board – Maddie Grace has claimed this one as hers but it’s been great for our little artist. She can draw pictures on it or practice writing letters and words electronically and then erase it all with the press of a button. She loves it because it’s fun, I love it because it’s mess free. Win-win! You can save 10% off one with the code WMBBX2BQDSZZH at www.myboogieboard.com (one per use per customer valid through October 2, 2020).
–SmartGames: We were sent Smart Farmer and Jump In’ and both have been great. Not only are these fun for the kids, but they are fun for me as well and I keep stealing them from the kids to work on solving after the kids are in bed. With Smart Farmer you have to figure out how to separate the animals using the fences and with Jump In’ you are hopping cute rabbits over obstacles to get to their holes. These games take a lot of brain concentration and build problem – solving skills, spatial logic, and more! Use code 10SMART2020 for 10% off anything from their Amazon store through 5/30/20.
*Hands on activities
–The Feel Better Box from Open the Joy: it’s the box within our box and it’s amazing. Seriously this box is full of boredom busters. It has origami, painting activities, conversation starters, and more to keep kids occupied and promote family bonding! Designed by Child Therapists to promote conversation and healing through play. Open the Joy partners with the Spread the Joy Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 (www.spreadthejoy.org) to distribute joy boxes to hospitalized children across America. Use code “boredombuster” through June 1 for 10% off!
–Feeling through Colors digital and online resources: if your kids are anything like mine their emotions are all over the place right now. This Feeling through Colors activity from Action for Healthy Kids was a lot of fun and helped me talk with the kids about what emotions they are experiencing right now.
*Just for fun
–VTech® KidiGo™ Walkie Talkies: these were the very first thing Maddie Grace and Tripp wanted to tear into and they haven’t stopped playing with since. They legitimately think these are their own cell phones and love going to different parts of the house to talk to each other on their walkie talkies. They can also send messages to each other and play games in real time. You can find these at Target and Walmart.
*Music
–Disney Hits Playlist: If you are looking for a fun, upbeat, and kid-friendly playlist you need to try the Disney Hits Playlist. My kids love shouting “Alexa, play Disney Hits!” but it’s available on all streaming services! You can download free Disney activity sheets here to do while listening!
*An interesting new book
–A Child’s Introduction to the Night Sky: my kids have been absolutely fascinated by this book and really so have I. Not only is it teaching my kids all about stars and constellations, but it even has a star finder wheel and glow-in-the-dark stickers to help keep their attention! I love that it’s STEM aligned and they are learning so much!
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