If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you. A. A. Milne
There’s nothing I love more than themed play! Molly really seems to like ti when I set up the tuff spot full of different activities, all within the same theme. I created one for Christmas, So I thought I’d do a Valentines themed one. I’m all about the holidays, so this was the perfect excuse!
I tried to keep this set up relatively simple, with distinct sections for her to explore. I had a bead threading tray as shes become very into playing with her beads and making things for us to wear! Rice dyed using food colouring, topped with felt hearts and pink pom poms. I made some trusty cloud dough – you can never go wrong with cloud dough. Along with heart shaped boxes, pots and pans as well as a basket full of different utensils. The newest addition were the water beads. I picked these up in London before Christmas, and thought this would be a fab time to use them. I picked out all the pink, purple and clear ones to keep to the theme.
Having Fun
We were originally going to have this set up outside as the sun was shining, however the strong winds made it impossible. Everything just flew everywhere! So we relocated into the kitchen. Molly was obsessed with the water beads. She told us they were cold and wet, and then kept trying to pick up the beads with the large tweezers – they kept popping off and bouncing around which she found hilarious. She was trying to pick them up to place into her colander, counting each one as she dropped it in.
Cloud dough is always a firm favourite with Molly. She was digging, and scooping and using her cookie cutters to make different shapes. She then found a pot, filled it, tipped it and tapped it before lifting it off and going ” SAND CASTLE” – we had no idea she knew this process as we haven’t been to the beach or built sand castles since before she turned 1!! This kid amazes us everyday with how much she is learning. It’s true when they say their brains are like sponges at this age.
Molly was using her pincer skills to pick up and play with the rice. Using it as sprinkles on her sand castle – obviously. She separated the pom poms and put them all into one pot, and then paired up the coloured felt hearts so they were in pairs.
After some time of playing with a snack break in between, she began to mix things together, make soup and really have fun with it all. I know some people would cringe at water beads getting covered in cloud dough and rice – but a quick rise in a sieve and they were as good as new!
Overall..
Molly seemed to really enjoy this set up. We were in the kitchen playing for a good hour before us adults had to call it quit. This was due to needing to make lunch and clear up before the in laws got home. I’d highly recommend these kinds of set ups. Themed tuff spot meets invitation to play – Watching her talk to herself and really get stuck in is always totally worth it.
Happy Valentines Day!
