• View ecochildsplay’s profile on Facebook
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Twitter
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Instagram
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Pinterest
  • View Jennifer Lance’s profile on LinkedIn
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on YouTube
  • View ecochildsplay’s profile on Google+

Eco Child's Play

Live a greener, healthier life!

  • Environment
  • Pregnancy
  • Food & Recipes
  • Health News
  • Parenting
  • Green Toys
  • Beauty & Beauty Products
  • Green Home & Cleaning
  • Contact

Back to Basics: What Kids Actually Need for Play Fun

I am a firm believer in minimalist living. That said, my kids like so many others have WAY too much stuff. We are working hard to change this and focus on what actually makes sense. The phrase, “I’m Bored” is never to be uttered in my house. I get this from my darling Grandparents who had a large hand in raising me. There is NEVER an excuse for boredom and if you do find yourself bored, there are always chores to be done. It always amazes me what bored minds can come up with when given the alternative of scrubbing the bathroom.

I have a huge problem with how so many toys on the market today have one use. The toys tell you how to use them (this even goes for planned building sets). I want my children to use their imagination and to not be hindered by what a toy is suppose to be for. (And don’t get me started on all the idol/hero worship, dolls who look like streetwalkers and massive amounts of fighting toys.)

So, what does a child really need (other than love, shelter, clothing & food):

  • Crayons
  • Scissors (stored in a safe place)
  • Paste (which you can make or purchase)
  • Building Blocks
  • Doll/animal
  • Kitchen Play
  • Your Recycling Bin

With these items, a child’s play options are limitless. Pull some scraps from the recycling bin and make new pieces of art with crayons, paste & scissors (Now is a great time for snowflakes, my kids had fun making them out of newsprint, old wrapping paper & various other scrap paper). Building blocks are vital, whether you choose standard wooden building sets, lincoln logs or lego type of blocks doesn’t matter (except wood is a more eco friendly choice than plastic)! A child can build a castle, a boat, an airplane. Every child needs a doll or stuffed animal to nurture and love. They can play house, zoo, hospital, dentist, school and so much more. Kids also need pretend kitchen play. This doesn’t mean you need to invest in a child size play set, you can simply dig things out of your cupboards for the little ones to use. My kids love to play restaurant, chef and have tea parties. Remember to bring your kids into the kitchen with you for real cooking time. This is a great (if messy) bonding experience. The options available in the recycling bin are limitless. Cardboard becomes a doll house, a hospital, a play house, a puppet show theater (make puppets out of mismatched socks). You can make cardboard swords and helmets from milk cartons. Egg cartons become a great container for homemade finger paints to decorate that cardboard house.

That’s it… with these few items your child can allow their imagination to take over. When they aren’t inside playing with these items, get them outside to play with sticks, climb trees, go on scavenger hunts, throw snowballs, look for birds and other wildlife. Turn those cardboard boxes into a table and chairs, add some cups and saucers and enjoy a tea party under a tree. Pull out an old sheet or blanket and picnic on the ground.

If you are looking for something to break up the tedium during these long winter days, head out to your local home improvement store for a free building workshop. The photo is of my children with one of their projects. These finished (WOOD) projects make great gifts! Free, DIY, Fun with your kids, wood, what’s not to love?

Other Posts You May Enjoy

  • Handmade Toys Made From Recycling
  • The Ultimate Eco Friendly Toy
  • DIY Fun With The Kids
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • WhatsApp
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Subscribe!

« The Perfect Last minute gift: Courtesy of My Mom
Great Multicultural Children's Literature: Tribal Alphabet Teaches Children About Indigenous People »

Comments

  1. Tara says

    December 18, 2008 at 8:48 pm

    Great post Jamie! Whenever I read your posts I wish you were my neighbour. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Jamie Ervin says

    December 18, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Tara I’m sending love your way! If we were neighbors think of all the fun we’d have!!!!

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    December 20, 2008 at 8:50 pm

    Jamie, you are right on about what children need. Creativity is the most important thing that you can teach them. I love your “not being bored” idea. Kids need that time to see that they can really come up with their own things to do. You are a great mother. Keep up the good work.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Free Toys and Less Clutter: Sharing the Toy Library Love : Eco Child’s Play says:
    January 25, 2009 at 5:41 am

    […] there you find yourself, bewilderingly surrounded by this mountain of costly yet apparently useless paraphernalia on one side, and these adorable yet apparently helpless children on the other, thinking […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search Content

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter


About Eco Child’s Play

Our ethos is to provide news, information, and opinions on natural, green parenting to help your family live a greener, healthier life! Additionally, we offer personal consulting services to help you achieve your green living goals.

Jennifer is a vegetarian, yoga teacher, gardener, hiker, teacher, and mother that has been living off-the-grid for over 20 years.

Contact Eco Child’s Play

Plants Over Plastics! Repurpose Compostable Home Products

Convenient Plastic Container Free Dropps Laundry & Dishwashing Pods

More from the archives!

Court Rules in Favor of Spanish Fathers' Breastfeeding Leave

Worker Dies, Mother Miscarries in Black Friday Wal-Mart Rush: Buy Nothing Day is the Answer

2010 Whooping Cough Rates Highest in 50 Years Despite Vaccinations

Earth Day: Inform & Inspire Children’s Stewardship

Betrayed: Heavy Metals Found in Prenatal Vitamins

cbd salve joy organics

CBD Products that Actually Deliver: Joy Organics

wama hemp underwear

The Most Comfortable Underwear is Made of Hemp: WAMA Review

Information

  • About & Contact
  • Archive
  • Blog
  • Consulting Services
  • Disclaimer, Disclosure, & Sponsored Posts
  • Privacy Policy
Eco-Guide to better home keeping

Lemons and Lavender: The eco-guide to better home keeping

Nice Versus Kind

holistic beauty

Natural Beauty and Wellness: I Love Naturopathica!

Mini Silk Parachute

Green Gift Giveaway and Review: Krimson Klover Eco-Friendly Fine Merino Wool Clothing

Popular Categories

  • Breastfeeding
  • Health News
  • Natural Childbirth
  • Parenting
  • Education
  • Product Review
  • Green Toys

Get our posts via email

Please stay in touch!

You might also like to read…

Bleach Prescribed to Relieve Eczema Itching: Talk About a Toxic Bath!

Mom Vlogger Tackles Teaching Kids Recycling

Cleaning Up The Holiday Mess: Eco Style

Made in China: Should We Care?

99.9% Effective against most common germs

EO! EO! EO! Everyone Soap, Hand Sanitizer, Lotion, & Bubble Buddy for the Every Body!

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 · Divine Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.