Ever notice how the best toy in the house is often something you never meant to be one? Like when your toddler bypasses all their toys to rummage through the kitchen drawers or how they happily entertain themselves banging spoons on saucepans like a heavy metal drummer? It’s as if they have a radar for fun and a knack for turning the simplest things into the most engaging play.
Play doesn’t have to be complicated or costly, in fact it shouldn’t be. In a world where toys are so persuasively marketed, it can feel like we need to buy more to reap the educational benefits and experiences for our children whereas sometimes the best playthings aren’t actually toys at all.
Let’s take the kitchen for example; a hidden treasure chest for play. Through the eyes of a child, every cupboard and drawer is filled with fun.
Here’s just a few suggestions of how to give everyday items a creative twist for play.
1. Water Play
Water Play is up there as one of the best. It suits all ages, ticks heaps of developmental boxes and is highly engaging. Setting up a simple water play activity could involve transferring water between baking trays, muffin tins or icecube trays using tools such as measuring cups and spoons, colanders, jugs, whisks, slotted spoons and salt and pepper shakers.
To add a touch of colour, simply splash in a drop of food colouring or add slices of fruit for a tasty snack. You’ll thank your future self if you pop a few containers in the freezer to make icebergs for another activity too. These ideas are not just perfect for some sunny afternoon fun but will take bath time to a whole new level also.
2. Imaginative Play
Have you ever spontaneously burst into song with a spatula while cooking dinner? This is because kitchen utensils spark so many imaginative opportunities and make great costumes and props. Here are a few other ideas; a helmet colander, whisk wand, wooden spoon puppets, crab claw tongs, saucepan lid shields and potato masher hooves.
3. Playdough
Playdough and kitchen utensils are a perfect match. A few tried and tested ideas include pastry and cookie cutters, potato masher, garlic crusher, slotted spoons, egg slicer and knives and forks. With just a little imagination, you’ve more than likely already got a whole drawer full of playdough tools ready for endless fun.
4. The Pantry Staples
The pantry is not to be overlooked either as our everyday staples can provide engaging playful opportunities also. For simple sensory bases items such as oats, rice, dried pasta, chickpeas and lentils are fantastic. Taste safe options could include cooked spaghetti, vermicelli noodles, chickpea foam,
crushed cereal and yoghurt. For some fine motor fun, ingredients such as nutrigrain and dried pasta make for great threading and necklace making.
At the end of the day, what makes a memorable play for kids is the fun, creativity and connection that comes from it. We need to pivot our thoughts to remember this and that simplicity is key. Don’t underestimate the power of a wooden spoon, it might just be the most loved toy in the house!
