Who’s got little ones? Well, this is for you……and grandparents of little guys too. Or, whoever needs an idea to keep some little fingers busy and give you a minute to breathe. But you might end up on the floor with them, for this one; who knows?! I’ll admit, I do and I’ll also add that I have a lot of fun.
During my years as a teacher, I always looked for toys that were cheap but fun, that could be used during free time; a time earned by students who fulfilled all of their weekly requirements. I looked for toys kids would enjoy that allowed for creativity, interaction, and the skill of construction. These, to me, are perfect mechanisms to see into a child’s soul. Choosing the right toys for individual or group play is important. I’ve come across some really cool ideas over the years, but I think what I’m about to share is probably the best. And, by the way I still have them, right on hand for my own grandchildren. The good ole ‘building blocks’. They are the kids’ ‘bomb’!
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I’d always think first to determine whether I myself would sit and play with these same toys if I were a kid. That required a little thought and going back in time, but if the answer was yes, I felt I was on the right track. And, building blocks seemed to fulfill the task of engaging all the players. Through play, children advertise their mood. You can discover very easily if a child is happy and feeling good or if they are angry at something or someone. They play the way they feel. But often, building with blocks can loosen the mood. By giving those little hands something to do that engages their imagination and creativity allows them to get lost in their creation. By the time they’re done they feel better, but more than that they have created some phenomenal edifice that will put you, and them, in awe.
Years ago I invested in a set of these blocks. The pack held 100 or more one inch square blocks. They were not expensive. I paid less than 15 dollars and they were worth every penny. But, once the blocks decreased in number, I felt I needed to add something to the mix. But what?! It was time to be innovative. It had to be small for little fingers, light weight, and easy to manage. It also needed to compliment the unity of the small blocks. I’d looked all over to find the same size and color of blocks I already had, but the search brought nothing, so I changed the focus of my search.
I waited and kept my eyes open for something that fit. Lo and behold! The wine cork!…. small, light weight, easy to manage, and stackable. I experimented first with a few of them that got left behind after their bottles went out to the recycling barrel. They seemed perfect. I began to save and collect. It took awhile, but once I had accumulated enough I tried them out….on guess who? You got it! My own grandchildren. They became enthralled and I was amazed at the amount of time thy spent constructing. – (Watching them build made me wish I’d discovered them a whole lot sooner for use with my classroom children.) –
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Now, every time any of my grandchildren come to visit, the blocks inevitably come out and they all become architects, creating something different, but just as awesome with each journey of building. So often, I become equally enthralled. I end up on the floor right along with them. The joy is irreplaceable and the bonding becomes my memory and theirs. And……the wine was good too!
