Page 15 2023 Spring Home and Garden LINCOLN DAILY NEWS April/May 2023 dolls, blocks, etc. If space does not allow for stations of play, at least separate the toys with baskets that the kids can handle on their own to find what they want to play with. Make sure there is a variety of toys, and each toy has its place. For little ones be sure to have toys that push, pull, grab, fill, and dump. If your children are lucky enough to have a playroom where they can just be kids use bright colors on the walls and curtains. Add child size furniture, cubbies for toys, and decal decorations or chalkboard paint so they can be creative. Put up a cloth teepee or an indoor tent for privacy; we all need a moment alone now and then. For a little money, make a climbing wall on one of the walls in the room. Be sure the floor is durable and easy to clean. Don’t forget about rugs with streets for little cars, games to play, or maps for learning about the solar system or geography. How about a ball pit with a large box and bunch of bouncy balls? Think outside the toy box using materials to sort, trade, and share; dress-up clothes and props; puzzles and games; and of course, a great selection of books that meet the child’s age. Let your imagination go as you prepare the perfect playroom for your little one. An indoor slide or teeter totter might be just the thing to complete the playroom. With warmer temperatures around the corner parents and grandparents alike are thinking about what to do with their children all summer when school is no longer in session. Think about outdoor play spaces. There are benefits to playing outdoors: • Physical activity like running, jumping, climbing develops muscles and aids in stability and bone density. • Time spent outside provides children with an opportunity to give their brains a break from the demands of everyday life. • Physical activity lowers anxiety and reduces stress. • Vitamin D, acquired from the sun, helps bodies regulate calcium and phosphate, keeping bones, muscles, and teeth healthy and stabilizes mood linked to happiness. Just like inside, use the space you have to create a wonderful play space for the children. It does not have to cost a lot of money to have a safe environment for play. Sidewalks and driveways are a great space for artwork with chalk. If you don’t have a space for a garden, use a garden pot and allow them the time to dig and play in the dirt. A water space where they can measure, scoop, pour, carry, transfer Continued --
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