He was in tears when his Dad left without him this morning. I needed a distraction, something to make him think staying at home with me was WAY better then going out with his Dad. I offered painting, I even offered a DVD but none of them got more than a screamed “No!” and more tears. It had to be something special… really special.
So out I went, into the frosty morning, with a big, deep sided, tray. I knew I had his attention when I looked back and saw him watching me out the kitchen window. By the time I’d filled the tray with sand and found my way back through the building site and inside the tears were gone.
“What are you doing Mum?”
“Oh something special…”
“Something special for me?”
“Yep.”
I sent him out the front to pick some leaves off the gum tree while I packed the sand down a bit and used a block to make roads. By the time he got back I had a small network of roads with some road signs and various vehicles. His eyes lit up, the tears were gone!
Over the morning he added his gum leaves, some stones, a tunnel, some blocks, lots and lots of cars and animals and even a penguin swimming in a pool.
The sand tray is still set up on the table, waiting for the big girls to get home from school and join in. So much more fun than driving around town with Dad!
For more awesome play ideas visit Childhood101′s We Play link up! Also linking to ‘It’s Playtime’ at Let the Children Play.
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Love it!! Gorgeous boyo.
love it! he looks like he is having a ball :)
Seriously great idea, Kate! This is one of the many reasons I read your blog – you totally inspire me with ideas of what to do with my toddler. I’m so glad that M’s tears went away with this special sand tray!
Oh Deb you’ve made my day! Sometimes I wonder if anyone is really that interested in the sometimes crazy things I do to engage my kids. It’s so nice to hear that you don’t think I’m totally nuts!
Best Idea EVER!! Is it cheating if I make her do it outside on the patio lol??
So not cheating.. more like genius!
We are building a 3 metre wide verandah that runs the length of our new extension. The architect thinks we are nuts putting it where and how we have, but he doesn’t have children and I am hanging for the day when this kind of play is easily set up on the deck just outside my family room window!
Hi – have just discovered you and am now a keen subscriber. Looking forward to following you …one Ozzie mum to another. Am definitely going to try that Tuna Bake.I am sure the kids will love it with the chips on top.
Welcome to Picklebums! Thanks for dropping by and saying hi… hope your kids love the tuna bake as much as mine do!
Read your site for the first time tonight and I think it’s great. Looking forward to reading more.
You are an awesome mum! This is such a great idea!
I love this, you’re so creative!
What a fantastic idea. Hard to use our sandpit in wet weather, this is the perfect compromise. Thanks picklemum. :)
Your name pops up everywhere – so I finally decided to investigate. I love your blog!!
What a great idea today! I am going to try this tomorrow with my 3 year old!
Very cool M.. :)
That is way cool! Ok, I’m going to get us some sand and make it one of our next activities :)
Thanks for the idea Kate! Love your blog :)
Kate I have to say you are one brave lady to head out in the cold…brrr..if it’s anything like Canberra :)
Love the sand tray but just where did you get those awesome street signs???? J would just go nuts for these.
Yep it is freezing here too… 1 degree here this morning! brrr!
The road signs came from Windmill Toys – my big boy got them for Christmas and they are great. They are these ones…
http://www.windmill.net.au/Category/Floor-Play/EL5602-La-Belle-Traffic-Signs.html
Thanks Kate. And only $16.95! Bargain. I’ll be ordering some :)
Love this — no directions, just PLAY. :o) Bethe @balmeras
FABULOUS!!! I have my diploma of children’s services and even though I’m very inventive with my ideas on entertaining my son, sometimes we all need some inspiration! Thanks so much :)
This is such a lovely activity.
Beautiful story and inventive idea for a sensory kiddo. Thank you for sharing!