My 8-year-old nephew spent last week with us. As our children are grown, most of what we have to play with are "older" toys, more complicated but good stuff like tiny snap-together blocks and Erector sets.
However, we have the most extensive collection of electrical-mechanical *junk" in the world. I mean those left over and never-fixed radios, tape players, clocks, electronic games and toys we all seem to collect, and that Is just what has fascinated nephew this week. With some screwdrivers and pliers, he has happily "repaired" (explored and discovered) for hours. He also has organized the pieces and game boards for local grocery promotions and sorted my grocery coupons according to dates of expiration.
In binding things we both enjoyed doing, I began to think about the toys and activities I most enjoyed as a child and what captured the imagination of my own children. Not one purchased toy was brought to mind.
I remember playhouses and forts, indoors and out, made mostly from large boxes in which my parents cut "windows" and "doors.” Washer, dryer, refrigerator, range and television boxes are free for the asking and last quite a while.
We loved card table playhouses made by throwing blankets and quilts over tables. My children spent several days "building" an elaborate maze of blankets covering most of the furniture in one room. Adults who add just a few "props" really help children play. Save clean, empty food containers to help children make a "store." They can make their own "play money" and use coupons.
Young children enjoy playing "school" and adults can save scrap paper (use the backs of most "junk" mail for an endless supply of play paper.), pencil stubs, crayons, magazines, etc. to help the pretending. Pretend homes need pretend mall, so saving your circulars and other pieces of unwanted mail will let children play "mail man.” The selection stamps that come with magazines and other promotions can be pretend stamps for envelopes. Pretend writing is an important first step to later reading. These materials are readily available and disposable when children are through playing.
I remember summer evenings when we tried to catch fireflies. After dark we "needed" (wanted) flashlights, another magical toy. Most of us think of them as "for-grown-ups-only,” but why? An expensive flashing light is cheaper than most toys and certainly more creative.
Nephew Caleb's constant companion is a $1 squeeze flashlight (lights when the sides are pushed) for investigating nooks and crannies of our house and yard. A clear flashlight case shows batteries at work and sparks Curiosity about electricity. Five dollars won't buy many toys but will buy several cheap flashlights and batteries.
Magnifying glasses are great toys and help children learn to observe. Helping them keep a record of what they see may develop scientific curiosity. Magnets are a wonderful toy for any age not cheap "store-bought" kinds that don’t pick up much, but strong ones that really work. Discarded car speakers have wonderful magnets and any nuts, bolts or safe metal pieces add to the learning, Garage sales usually have some or try a hardware store.
Children gain valuable skills as they try to attract objects and sorting out what "sticks" and what doesn’t is important learning. Older kids can predict which objects the magnet will attract and check to see if their guess was right, an important math skill.
Of course, you are the most important person in all of this play: helping kids starts them off to curiosity, learning and school success.
Darby Kethan has a master's degree in child development, and has experience as a social worker, educator of young children, educational consultant, and as a professional trainer for a national educational foundation providing professional development to teachers. Visit her website at darbykethan.com.
