Every time I go to a playground I see a Mom (or nanny or grandparent) bringing some playground play thing which makes me think “I could have brought THAT”. Stuff you already have around the house which – when brought to the playground – takes on a whole new level of fun. Here are 5 Things To Take To The Playground…
Bubbles.
You will be the best friend of every toddler in the park if you bring bubbles to the playground. They run after then. Underneath them. Around them. The toddlers smile, giggle, yell “more”. A nanny brought a batch of bubbles to the park and all I could think was “argh…I could have brought THAT.”
Soccer Ball.
We all have soccer balls right?! Take a minute and throw a ball in the wagon or stroller. When kids get tired of the slides and swings – bring the ball out and play kick. A dad brought a soccer ball to the park and all I could think was “argh…I could have brought THAT.”
Sand Toys.
A simple shovel & pail combo is all you need for the kids to have digging fun. You could even wash and re-purpose yogurt containers (give them another life and then recycle them) as sand toys. A nanny brought a sand toys to the park and all I could think was “argh…I could have brought THAT.”
A Stuffed Animal.
I know – do you really want to get a stuffed animal dirty? Kid answer: YES! The kids can but the stuffies in a swing and push them. They can toss them down the slide (and then slide after them to get them back). They can throw stuffed animals up and down (in case you forgot to bring a ball to throw or kick). And you can always put the stuffed animal in the next laundry load. A Mom brought a stuffed animal to the park and all I could think was “argh…I could have brought THAT.”
Change of Clothes.
This…this I did (and always) bring to the playground (a win at last!). Last week, I saw a caregiver with 5 wet and cold toddlers at the playground. They kidlets had figured out how to press the splash pad button to get the water going and all 5 toddlers went bee-line for the water play. Fun at the moment but they were uncomfortable and cold walking home (poor caregiver – “I told you not to go in the water!”). Always take a change of clothes for your kids to the playground…just in case they happen upon some water (or mud).
Related: Snack Ideas For Toddlers (oh yes, you’ll want snacks for the playground!).
Thanks for a great list! I take a few of those things to the park but I never thought of a stuffy! My kids would love that!
Oh a stuffie can bring a whole new playground experience…sliding down with it. pushing it…
So true!! Amping up the playground experience can take those giggles to a whole new height! We used to like to take the Little People figures. Tons of fun on the slides
I was awestruck when I saw the nanny with the bubbles. It was so smart.
Good list
Thanks Debbie. Lists are a good thing.
great list… both my kids love bubbles no matter where we are.
I usually think of bubbles as messy…but I obviously need to suck it up because the fun factor just supersedes the mess.
My son always takes a few Hot Wheels with him to the park to share with other kids to play together!
What a great idea. I think bubbles might be messy but if you’re going to a park with a pool at this time of year…. it’s no big deal
Thanks for all the suggestions.
Great list! Bubbles are good for any occasion and so are stuffed animals!!
I never thought to bring a stuffie. But I’m scared of putting toys in washing machine. I don’t mine giving them a fast dry in dryer to get rid of unwanted germs
Great ideas. I always had those type of things packed in the back of the van, ready to go!