Boredom in the midst of plethora.
That’s the story around these parts all too often. Somehow the equation goes a little like this:
3 small children + 8 hrs. at home + infinite toys = “Mom, we don’t have anything to do.”Somehow when the matchbox cars and Connect Four game are hidden in the bottom of the toy chest under a stuffed animal or two, they get lost. And not enjoyed. And though the reality is that there are plenty of things to play with, somehow they’re not playing with any of the things.
Enter the Coffee Table Toy. The idea is simple. Pull out one item (or group of items) each morning and set it on the coffee table in your living room. Dominoes. Lego sets. A stack of puzzles. A box of K’nex. Transformers or Barbies. Even a grouping of fun picture books. Throughout the day, your kids will probably find themselves really playing with your showcased toy-for-the-day. And, if you ever hear the word “bored” coming out of their little mouths, you have an activity you can immediately direct them towards. At the end of the day, put that Coffee Table Toy away, and choose something fresh for tomorrow.
Oh, and don’t forget to play some yourself, too.
Have any practical ideas on how to better engage kids with their toys? Share them with us.
ALifeOverseas.com / LauraParkerBlog.com.
Destined Traveler.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
That is a great idea. The other day I told my son I was going to sell his dinosaurs on our garage sale because he doesn’t seem to enjoy them, and he then proceeded to play with them quietly for over an hour!
It does seem like the less stuff you have out, the more the things that are available get played with. We’ve been purging and packing stuff away and my kids seem to be playing more with the few things that are still out than they ever did with the masses of stuff that was laying around the house.
This is such a great idea. I’ve been doing something similar this summer. Our playroom is in the lowest level, and no one seems to want to go down there to play alone. So I’ve been periodically bringing up tubs of toys for the kids to rediscover. (Right now, I have Little People strewn from couch to shining TV.) It’s amazing how just that simple act will cut down on the amount of times I hear “I’m bored!” each day.
This is amazing/crazy/a God thing… I thought of this as well & just started doing it this week- works great! =]
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Ladies, thanks for the comments. So glad that we are all finding out the same things with kids and their crap! Amazing how we all have SO MUCH stuff that we have to be creative with ways to get our kids to play with it all. That seems somehow strange to me. Anyone else?
Laura
Love this idea, Laura! Gotta be honest tho – my boredom-buster solution has been the same since our oldest was about 5 (he’s 15 now). It works extravagantly well, so much so that after two or three ‘applications’ at most, that particular child will discover that they are never bored again! My solution?
When any child says “I’m bored…” or anything even close to that sentiment, I happily say, “oh, I’m so glad, ’cause I really need your help with such-&-such chore!” Then they get assigned the job of cleaning out the silverware drawer, or organizing the game cabinet, or sweeping the porch…with no option for getting out of it. No joke, after the second or third time at the most, that particular kiddo is never bored again!
Oh, Man, Teri–what a fantastic idea. Yup, my little people, get ready. Chores are coming! Thanks for sharing–love it!
Love this idea and will pass on to a friend w/ little ones . . . I used Teri’s when mine were little and I can attest to its effectiveness!