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Repurposing Old Toys into Something Useful

 

Do you have old toys scattered around the house the you don’t know what to do with? Are your children too old to play with their toys, but you don’t want to part with them? Whatever the reason for the accumulation, it is not a pleasant sight to see a lot of toys cluttering your house if your children are no longer using them. Instead of letting them lie around, why not convert them into something more useful?

Here are some fun ideas for repurposing your old toys:

  • Create a uNew Entrepreneurial Hub Opens in Tulsanique lamp base out of them. If you have old character toys, you can use a lamp kit to convert them into a lamp stand. For example, your child’s favorite teddy bear may not be something they play with anymore, but displaying it as a light source is a fun way to keep it around for sentimental purposes.
  • Change your old cabinet hardware with a few themed toys. Add a screw to the backs of dinosaurs and other animal toys, or even toy cars, for fun cabinet pulls.
  • Form a mirror frame design. Do you have a number of small similar toys like race cars, Legos, or tiny action figures? Arrange them in a collage around your mirror and spray paint them with gold or silver.
  • Make art out of your toys. You can select themed toys or let your imagination run wild. Stick them on canvass and see where your creativity takes you.
  • Use Legos to form a storage container or rack for hanging items.
  • Repurpose old board games. Varnish your wooden board game. Install a stool leg in the middle and you have a new side table for your kid’s room or a game room.
  • Turn old puzzle pieces or Scrabble pieces into magnets. Glue a magnet on the back, and you have instant refrigerator art!
  • Transform small toys to key chains or bracelets. Your girls will love to wear their small memorable toys in their hands. Or, you can even be reminded of your children by attaching a toy to your key chain.
  • Use old toy trucks as bookshelves. It’s a great way to display your favorite in a way that appears as intentional decor.

Chris George Homes
Oklahoma City Realtor
Let’s get in touch: 405.843.8188

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Basic Outdoor Safety Tips to Keep Your Child Safe

 

The outdoors are great for your children. It gives them fresh air, sunshine, and overall better health. They can play with their friends and run around, which keeps their bodies active. They can explore your yard and gardens and use their imaginations to create fun scenarios in their heads.

There are so many things that the outdoors can offer, but safety is not always guaranteed. In order to let your kids play outside without worrying about them, here are some basic safety tips you should keep in mind:

  • Do not let them play outside without adult supervision. Even if you don’t join them in playing, keeping a watchful eye can save them when danger arises.
  • Teach your child never to go beyond the fence. It is important that your child understands that rule and follow it strictly.
  • Always lock the gates. There is no need for your child to open the gates and get out of your yard.
  • Remove any hazardous, sharp, or electrical materials from their play area. These are potential sources of dangers.
  • Apply sunscreen during summer and proper warm clothing in winter. Always dress your child appropriate based on the season, so they do not become overheated or develop a cold from being too chilled.
  • Equip your child with a safety helmet and kneepads when riding bicycles, skateboards, or other moving toys.
  • Keep outdoor tools and equipment in sheds or away from your children. Bring your gardening tools and barbecue grills inside if possible.
  • Inspect their play area. Is all play equipment working fine? Is there any damage on the seesaw, monkey bars, or swing? Check it out to see if there are possible sources of accidents.
  • Allow your child to play only on equipment appropriate for their age. Certain equipment like monkey bars is not safe for toddlers for example..
  • Watch them closely when they’re swimming in the pool. Never leave them unattended.
  • Remove or section off plants that could be potentially hazardous to their health. Educate them on what they should and should not touch.
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How To Choose Age-Appropriate and Safe Toys

SM26Few things give your child more joy than a new toy (except for maybe the box that it came in…). Toys help to create a vast colorful world of endless wonder and make-believe you and I can no longer really “see”.

Unfortunately, toys today may also pose a threat if not selected properly. There are toys that unsafe and not appropriate for the age of our children. It is important for us to scrutinize toys we want to give our children first, before handing them over.

Here are some tips on how you can choose age-appropriate and safe toys for your children:

  • Check the package- Toys come with an age recommendation and some with safety instructions, be sure to read these instructions first to prevent injury. There are toys that are only ideal to 6 years old and above since these contain small parts that little ones can swallow.
  • Evaluate its durability- Is it strong enough not to easily break? It is a risky to have toys that can easily shatter into pieces and cause its small parts to scatter around or scratch your child.
  • Look for safe ingredients- You can find what makes up a toy in its own packaging. Check the ingredients and see if there are hazardous elements!
  • See if it is educational and developmentally appropriate- We want our kids to not just have fun, but also learn from their toys. Today there are ample toys available that are developmentally appropriate for your child’s age.
  • Choose simple toys- The simpler they are, the wider the imagination of your kids when playing. Toys that are too specific offer less room for the imagination as everything is already set out for them.
  • Give one toy at a time- Give your kids time to enjoy the a few toys first, so they will really maximize the enjoyment of those toys. While an argument can be made that one can never have too many toys – too many at once for a child can be less than ideal.
  • Understand the learning needs of your child based on his age- For instance, children who are 2-4 years want to stimulate their imaginations, while babies from 6-8 months do well with repeatable activities.
  • Be careful with electronic toys- Toys that are powered through batteries and electricity are risky to children especially toddlers and babies. They can try to plug and unplug or even taste the batteries.
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Helping Your Child Adjust to Preschool

 

It’s not uncommon for parents to have to deal with their children not wanting to leave them, and sometimes even once they begin attending preschool, they can still have difficulty adjusting.

So, what can you do to help your child ease into preschool?Preschool Daycare

  • Let your child know that tomorrow is a school day. Say it to them with a lot of excitement, so they will feel excited as well. Talk to them about what they can expect, and be sure to mention the fun things like story time and playtime.
  • Help them prepare their things the night before. Encourage your kids to prepare their school supplies, and even snacks, the night before. Make it sound exciting and tell them how much fun they’re going to have using their new school supplies.
  • Wake them up early. This will prevent delays and arriving to school late. Waking them up early will help eliminate their grogginess before they begin their school day. It will also keep them from feeling embarrassed if they show up late.
  • Prepare their favorite breakfast for them. Start their day right with their favorite meal. It will make them happy, which sets a good tone for the day.
  • Help them to their classroom. If they do not want you to leave, stay for a few minutes while they sit down at their chair. Then, leave quietly once the teacher starts.
  • Be early to pick them up and ask them about school. Show them that you are interested in their school, so they feel your support. This will also prevent them from becoming scared if you are not there to pick them up on time.
  • Observe how they feel. Ask them how they feel about school and gather hints of possible reasons they may not be adjusting well.
  • Have a consistent routine. Make pre-school preparation a routine for them so they become comfortable with it. Always have the same schedule each day from the time they wake up until you pick them up.
  • Partner with their teacher. Talk to your teacher and ask them how they can help your child adjust to school. Let them know how your child feels and discuss what may be causing their reluctance about school.
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Helping Your Child in Decision Making

SMCandy, TV Shows, Toys and even what to wear, there are a lot of things a child CAN make choices on. Oftentimes, we do the choosing for our children and sometimes we just give in to what they want the first time… not always the best option.

Kids will not be able to do well in decision making unless we help them to begin thinking for themselves with small decisions from an early age.

Children who are well-verse in aspects of decision-making early on, grow up to become smart and responsible adults with an increased sense of cause and effect. Since they know how to properly choose for themselves and stick to their decision, they are able to think more critically in all of life’s decisions.

Though kids will only have to decide on things such as; toys, games and food, it all starts small. Below are some ways on how you can help them in decision making:

  • Reduce their options for them. You may not decide for them but you can make it easier at the start. Help them decide better by limiting their options to where they can comfortably choose. Sometimes, too many options will only confuse them, adding a sense of pressure.
  • Let them make decision even if you think they will choose incorrectly. What your kids need to learn is to know that they can make mistakes sometimes. There is no perfect circumstance thus they do not need to be perfect all the time. The mistakes they do sometimes make can help them become stronger and more self-reliant as they mature.
  • Be an example for them. Kids will always try to follow what adults do. Live the kind of life that you want your kids to have. If you want them to be wise in making decisions, set an example for them.
  • Help them get a clear picture. Children do not have enough experience to identify which is a good decision or situation and which is not. Help them decide better by creating a clear picture for them of what will happen if they choose this and that. This will help to further teach your children the concept of cause and effect.
  • Support their decision. Show kindness and support to your children and they will feel more confident. If they choose a decision, support their decision, even if it isn’t exactly what you would have chosen for them. Let them know that you are there always no matter what.
  • Let them know that you trust them. Give your kids the assurance that you trust them in making a good decision. This will encourage them to not only feel confident in their decisions, but also to make the right decisions.
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Benefits of Gardening for Children

gardening pic for blogMinnieland Academy is committed to supporting health and nutrition by planning physical activities both indoors and outdoors, serving nutritious foods and implementing gardening and cooking experiences. Studies indicate that children who grow their own food are likely to eat more fruits and vegetables.

gardening pic for blog 5In the spring we prepare our gardens for planting and by mid-summer they are brimming with bounty for our children to harvest and enjoy. These range greatly in diversity with some schools opting to plant in garden boxes while others cultivate garden plots or collect recyclable materials to try their hand at container gardening.

gardening pic for blog 3Throughout our Minnieland programs you will see a variety of gardening such as herbs growing in window sills, flower beds planted to attract butterflies, and salsa or pizza-themed produce growing in vegetable patches. Sunflowers are also a favorite in many of our gardens.

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Sharing Parenting Duties Successfully

SM8
Sometimes you have to share parenting your child with others such as spouses, grandmothers, and child care teachers.

The key to success is communication and trust.  Listen with respect to the child rearing styles of your child’s other caregiver and talk openly about yours. Come up with a plan that accommodates both styles, try it out, and meet again.

Sometimes you may have to adapt your plan a few times before all are comfortable.  The important thing is for your child to learn to build trusting and positive relationships with others.

-Dr. Rosemary Burton

Vice President of Education,
Minnieland Academy – Virginia Childcare