Friday, November 14, 2014

// // Leave a Comment

Dinosaur Land Play Mat & 150+ Screen Free Activities for Kids

I love an activity or toy that encourages children to use their imaginations and problem-solving skills as part of the creative fun.  This easy no-sew Dinosaur Land Play Mat and every other activity in 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids fits that bill perfectly!




I am always looking for fun ways to exercise more cognitive skills during our play and school time, so when Asia from Fun at Home With Kids contacted me about her new book, I was super excited to take a look!  Her publisher sent us a free copy for review purposes.

This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Click here for my policies page!

When 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids arrived, my kids immediately began looking through it and categorizing the activities...most were either "Things To Do Immediately" or "Things To Do Really Soon!"  They finally settled on an absolute first project: the no-sew Dinosaur Land Play Mat!

The Dinosaur Land Play Mat is brilliant!  It's a huge playscape for dinosaurs!  The book includes fantastic details on making the volcano, beach, trees, grass, and more.  We made a few adjustments and used materials we already had at home.  My kids were totally engrossed in the building process for two hours, and then they continued to be engaged with their new dinosaur land as they introduced the dinos to their new home.



Our Dinosaur Land has a pretty big population, and all the dinos wanted in on the fun!



But that wasn't all.  When our kids' neighborhood friends came over that afternoon, the fun began all over again.  I have watched kids from one to seven years old play with this dinosaur land for hours!  Literally!  And we've only had it for a couple days!



When we're done, the whole thing rolls up nicely and tucks on a shelf.  Seriously, did I mention that this is brilliant?!!




The Dinosaur Land Play Mat is only one activity!  The entire book is filled with with fun ideas that are equally engaging!  The activities are divided into six categories: slimes, doughs, paints, small worlds, simple sensory activities, and DIY toys.  Each section is filled with brilliant ideas, tested recipes, and amazing pictures.  In fact, every. single. project. comes with gorgeous pictures--you know exactly what you're getting into before you try mixing up a batch of slime or taste-safe play dough!  And speaking of play doughs...do you have a toddler who still tastes everything?  We do!  (Have you noticed how many recipes I've shared recently from our own taste-testing play room?!!)  Asia totally has our back here...more than two dozen of the recipes and activities are "taste-safe!"  I cannot even tell you how excited I am to start using her recipes!    



150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids is the ultimate parent and teacher resource book!  I am recommending it for anybody who works with young children!  The experience-based, open-ended nature of the activities will build meaningful memories and strengthen cognitive skills while you relax and play with your kiddos!  This book would also make a fantastic gift...you could even wrap it with a few of the common "ingredients," and it would make a phenomenal play kit!


Wouldn't you love to receive that kit?!!

I know we have absolutely loved our Dinosaur Land Play Mat and expect to get loads more play out of it!

Would your kids go crazy over a play mat like that?  You can enter to win one at the bottom of this review!  (I hope you win!!)  But, if you don't, you can always make one with your kids!

150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids is full of incredible ideas like this one!  You can take a peek inside at Amazon by clicking the picture below or any of the affiliate links above!




I may share at any of these parties!



Never miss another post again!  Sign up for our weekly updates newsletter and get links to all our posts once a week in your inbox!  Sign up here!!


0 comments: