Have your kids taken over your yard?

pdooma

Sandbox, swings, bike, scooters, playhouse, cars, trucks, diggers, balls of every size and sort, holes from mud puddles that needed toes squished in, dead grass circles from swimming pools, soccer/lax goals...the hammock has become a pirate ship and the gazebo a fort.

Answer
seems to me most people without kids don't really use their yards at all. so i'm okay with ours getting lots of use. swingset; ride-on toys; one bush has been converted to a fort and it's amazing it's even still alive; all the trees used as climbing structures; moss dug up for "habitats" for animals; and a giant tent out there at the moment, killing the grass.

my husband does occasionally freak out when his grass gets dug up to make holes. but oh, well.

How could i build a cheap playhouse out of something other than wood?

peanutclub

See i really want a playhouse sooo bad!!! And its too much to buy one or to build on out of wood. See i was wondering if you knew what i could build i playhouse out of other than any kind of wood? If you have an idea please help me!!!

Answer
When I was a kid, I used to set my little tent up outside or play under our deck. You can build a tent in your room with chairs and blankets too.

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Have your kids taken over your yard?

pdooma

Sandbox, swings, bike, scooters, playhouse, cars, trucks, diggers, balls of every size and sort, holes from mud puddles that needed toes squished in, dead grass circles from swimming pools, soccer/lax goals...the hammock has become a pirate ship and the gazebo a fort.

Answer
seems to me most people without kids don't really use their yards at all. so i'm okay with ours getting lots of use. swingset; ride-on toys; one bush has been converted to a fort and it's amazing it's even still alive; all the trees used as climbing structures; moss dug up for "habitats" for animals; and a giant tent out there at the moment, killing the grass.

my husband does occasionally freak out when his grass gets dug up to make holes. but oh, well.

How could i build a cheap playhouse out of something other than wood?

peanutclub

See i really want a playhouse sooo bad!!! And its too much to buy one or to build on out of wood. See i was wondering if you knew what i could build i playhouse out of other than any kind of wood? If you have an idea please help me!!!

Answer
When I was a kid, I used to set my little tent up outside or play under our deck. You can build a tent in your room with chairs and blankets too.

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Are There Play Kitchens and Playhouses for a Tall Six Year Old?

Lilgirl

I'm looking for one to purchase. The six year old is 47 inches tall. I was looking at the KidKraft Large Kitchen in pastel. There doesn't seem to be anything along these lines for a tall girl whose waist comes to about 28 inches from the floor. Same thing with playhouses. She would have to bend at the waist while in it. Any advice, suggestions? I put a question similar to this in Toys, but figured I'd ask here as well. Thanks all for answering! Happy Holidays!!!

Answer
I am a giant person, so when I had a daughter, I worried. I remembered not be able to get a little car as a child because I was too tall.
However, how's this for irony - My 8 year old is 49" (that would be about the 28 percentile), but she's about the same size as your daughter. So here is what my kid still fits in.
All the plastic playhouse - too small and awkward. She will be able to get in and think it's cool, but it's not comfortable enough to play in.

The plastic kitchens too small. The expensive wooden kitchens - just fine. They are small, but the pieces can be moved around and you don't get that small feeling.

Perfect playhouse - it's for the indoor - my size barbie pegasuscastle. We have had ours for 2-3 years and I know they made one last year or the year before. It seems pricey, but it's very nice. The kids like to kneel in it, so it's not too sure and it's really nice. It has a cloth (tent-like) that goes over a plastic frame. The catch is - can you find one? I don't know. If you can't, you can build wooden playhouses or get cool pop-up tents for preteens.

Keep in mind, people will treat your daughter like she is older and expect her to act more mature. So, she will most likely want toys for older girls sooner than her peers. Studies have shown that the higher expectations for taller children help them as young adults. As adults taller people are considered more successful.

We also built a sky-fort, kind of a cross between a wooden swing set and a tree house. (This was in part for her giant cousin who's got his aunt's tall genes - so he could play with her).

Another thing we did for my daughter (expecting her to be a giant like me), I bought oversized party dresses on clearance, so she's have dress-up clothes. The clothes work great for some of her taller friends now.

Just make sure you keep telling her how cool it is to be tall. She'll be able to carry off a lot of styles of clothes as a young woman. Being able to reach top shelves is a big asset in life. Changing celling bulbs without a stepladder or stool is nice, too. Most men love tall woman. A longer torso makes everything from swimming to pregnancy easier. May someone can tell me some great things about being tiny to tell my minature daughter?

Anybody here buy IKEA kids furniture before?

The Jolly

I'm a little peeved now that I found out my sons convertible crib was recalled in April. :( Now I'm trying to find something quickly (and cheap) until I find a bedroom set I really like.

Any experience with IKEA childrens furniture? I was thinking he would like this because I could flip it upside down and make it like a little bed cave for him lol (he loves tents) http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10123996
Oh god no... I don't sound like a popsicle mom do I? lol

I just don't want to deal with this right now... I'm getting sick, the kid is getting sick and now I worry about putting him in that bed. Ugh.

Answer
Do it do it do it

Here it is playhouse-d up: http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/inspiration/from-kura-loft-bed-to-playhouse-reader-project-109617

Most of my house is Ikea; it is perfect for kids -- looks okay, cheap enough so its getting trashed is not a tragedy.

I spent my childhood pleading for their little loft beds each year when the catalogue came out. Every effing year: "No, because you'll outgrow it in no time. You'll think it's babyish and then we'd have to go out and buy you a new bed." Every year!!

Which meant that in my _twenties_ I had to go out and buy something like this: http://www.divorcemag.com/images/Image/ikeaPE060576.jpg

because of all that deprivation in my childhood. Be kind and let him get "loft bed" out of his system now, so he doesn't embarrass himself later.

We have a bit of kiddie Ikea here and it's great -- this in particular http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40100253 is wonderful; I would've adored a chair like that as a kid. My daughter uses it as both play spot and as relaxation hideaway.

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How could i build a cheap playhouse out of something other than wood?

kids tents playhouses image

peanutclub

See i really want a playhouse sooo bad!!! And its too much to buy one or to build on out of wood. See i was wondering if you knew what i could build i playhouse out of other than any kind of wood? If you have an idea please help me!!!

Answer
When I was a kid, I used to set my little tent up outside or play under our deck. You can build a tent in your room with chairs and blankets too.

Fun activities for little ones while babysitting?

PiNKLiGHTN

I have to babysit in a few days. It seems as though every time I babysit, there is not enough to do and the kids are always bored or lose interest in what we are doing. The children are 3 and 5. What are some new and fun activities that will keep the kids occupied for a good amount of time, and isn't too messy?

Answer
-hide n' seek
-coloring
-building them playhouses/tents out of every day things around the house (blankets, chairs, pillows, etc)
-draw up a 'treasure map', hide some toys/candy in different places around the house and let them search for them
-a good movie (or sing-a-long)

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My mom is adopting toddlers from the Philippines. Where can I find traditional Filipino toys, games, anything?

kids tents playhouses image

marsh

I'd like to make her a gift basket for Christmas and so far I've found children's books, cook books, and books to learn Tagalog. Is there anything I can get her that's not a book?

Answer
modern day filipinos have the same toys as any normal kid have but long ago, traditional filipino games use indigenous materials that can be found on their environment such as coconut shells, wood, abaca, bamboo, rattan, and clay. for example, miniature clay pots for "play-cooking", abaca for dolls, and any toy that can be made out of these materials. most of them don't have toys yet at this age and use their imagination and resourcefulness to substitute things like blanket for tents as playhouses, leaves as food(a little dangerous tho) and stones to assemble things. the bulk of traditional filipino toys are in school age years.

so its ok if you'd just give her toys that can be found anywhere. besides, these traditional things are very hard to find nowadays.

what are some things i can make with a box?

MJ

i have many boxes laying around. what are some fun things i make outtta them? i've already made a planter, a closet organizer, and a funny lil cardboard robot.

Answer
Hi:

Since you ask for it here it is:

Drawers, jewerly boxes, organizers, tents, doll houses, Real houses ( yes- they did that a while ago) desks, beds, Book shelves,Cd holders,Carosel horses- (Merry go round) braclets, car ramps. stencils, art easels, tote bags,bookcovers,journals, chairs, sofas, tables, wall covering , music instruments, cardboard flowers, planting pots, Kithen caddys. ,baskets, A child play house, Pop bottle carriers, envolope pattern, pattern for crafts ,photo alblems, castles, dishes, scale models of things Rocking horse, dart board. Did I forget any thing?


Here are some books that might interest you:

The Cardboard Box Book: 25 Things to Make and Do with and Empty Box
by Danny Walsh, Jake Walsh, Niall Walshe, Josh Halloran (Illustrator), Martin Norris (Photographer)

Recycled Crafts Box: Sock Puppets, Cardboard Castles, Bottle Bugs and 37 More Earth-Friendly Projects and Activities You Can Create
by Laura C. Martin

Playhouses You Can Build: Indoor & Backyard Designs
by David R. Stiles, Jeanie Stiles, Jeanie Stiles, Jeanie Stiles

Glue & Go Costumes for Kids: Super-Duper Designs with Everyday Materials
by Holly Cleeland, Larry Lytle (Photographer), Larry Lytle (Photographer

Candy Containers for Collectors
by Debra S. Braun

Cool Cardboard Instruments to Make and Play
by Dennis Waring

Paper (Materials Series)
by Sara Louise Kras, Audrey Zink-Sharp

Cardboard Boxes
by Nikki Conner, Sarah-Jane Neaves (Illustrator)

Vintage Paper Crafts
by Anna Corba

Easy-to-Make Cardboard Box Craft Projects
by Robert Tomb

365 More Simple Science Experiments with Everyday Materials
by Judy Breckenridge, Muriel Mandell, Louis V. Loeschnig, Anthony D. Fredericks, Frances Zweifel (Illustrator)

Art from Packaging: With Projects Using Cardboard, Plastics, Foil, and Tape
by Gillian Chapman, Pam Robson

Creative Cardboard: Making Fabulous Furniture, Amazing Accessories & Other Spectacular Stuff
by Linda Ragsdale

Hope this helps

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Fun activities for little ones while babysitting?

kids tents playhouses image

PiNKLiGHTN

I have to babysit in a few days. It seems as though every time I babysit, there is not enough to do and the kids are always bored or lose interest in what we are doing. The children are 3 and 5. What are some new and fun activities that will keep the kids occupied for a good amount of time, and isn't too messy?

Answer
-hide n' seek
-coloring
-building them playhouses/tents out of every day things around the house (blankets, chairs, pillows, etc)
-draw up a 'treasure map', hide some toys/candy in different places around the house and let them search for them
-a good movie (or sing-a-long)

What should I get my niece and nephew for Christmas?

I'm really horrible at picking out Christmas presents for children. My niece is 8 years old and I was thinking about getting her a computer game b/c she's getting a computer for Christmas (very spoiled!). But I don't know what game. Also, my nephew is 6 and I have absolutely no idea what to get him!
Any suggestions?

Answer
Well I wouldn't get her a computer game..8 yr. olds don't need to be on the computer (let alone have their OWN!) and if you get her a game you're just promoting using the computer--something an 8 yr. old doesn't need to be doing.

Here are some ideas for both kids..hope they help :-)

For your niece:

-Barbie dolls and accessories
-Some kind of craft kit like "make your own bead jewelry"
-Hair ties, bows, play make up, etc.
-A journal, cute stationary, pens/pencils


For your nephew:

-A box of Legos or Knex
-Any kind of board game maybe like "Disney Scene It"
-A scooter (somewhere I was last weekend had Razor scooters for $25..they used to be $100)
-A playdough kit
-A tent/playhouse

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