Here are some creative play ideas for parents from Child’s Play NY:
We’ve reached that point of winter when we’d rather __________* than put on our child’s mittens, hat, scarf, coat and snow pants one more time.
* fill in the blank with anything at all!
It’s time to find some indoor creative activities so we can keep in the warmth but keep out the boredom.
Here are a few new spins on story time that you can do from the comfort of your living room. They are some of my favorites from my life-with-toddler and also our theater classrooms at Child’s Play NY.
Use a Grabbag Prop Basket to Make-up a Story
Fill a bag or basket with mystery objects. Kids will enjoy the surprise of reaching in to take the next prop.
- Get a couple “characters” like stuffed animals, trains or anyone that would be interesting/funny to connect.
- Bring in some adult world “props” that can stand alone (like an umbrella, flashlight or magnifying glass) or that kids can transform into something else within the world of their story (like a bulb baster or a tape-measure).
- Start the story with “Once upon a time” and then with each grab from the bag, characters or tools are added and the narrative gets more involved. Think journalistic questions like who, what, when, where, why to support the kids as they build their story. You can take turns storytelling.
Once kids get the hang of it, they can also fill the “story bag” with their own selected props to surprise you!
“Read” a Book with No Words
Wordless picture books really lend themselves to dramatic play. This activity is especially great for kids who haven’t started reading on their own, or when you want a break from your usual stories. It is such a snuggly activity and as an added bonus it empowers kids with tons of pre-literacy skills.
Here are a few unique ways to “read” these stories:
- Pretend it is an illustration of a play or film. As in a board game, where kids pick what playing piece they will be, they pick out the character that they will “voice”. Journey through the book together talking to each other and adventuring in character.
- Take turns telling the story on each page.
- Kids tell the story and you make the sound effects for what is going on (or vice versa!).
Some of our favorites are Flotsam by David Wiesner, Journey by Aaron Becker, Pool Jihyeon Lee, The Yellow Balloon by Charlotte Dematons. Chime in below to let us know your favorites!
Sticker Story Book
This is a new spin on storytelling that combines a bit of craft and a lot of open-ended fun. Purchase some stickers in a wide variety and have your child create their own story-book by choosing which stickers go in what order. We like to create a blank book simply with stapled note cards. You can certainly get more crafty with the actual book binding (ribbons, yarn, etc) – but it truly doesn’t require much.
- Help kids figure out who is the “hero” or “protagonist”. Talk about “beginning”, “middle” and “end”. Kids love to “read” the story back to you and you can help them find new details in their narrative.
- A true mash-up of stickers is best for this game. If your child is really info Frozen, by all means, get those stickers, but also bring in some dinosaurs or aliens and then it really gets interesting in Arendelle!
- Leave a space on the front for the title and byline which kids love writing on their own. Even if the narrative becomes a bit “involved” (it inevitably will!), their title can crystalize the main event of their story.
- This is also a great playdate game or a grounding activity as guests are gathering before a birthday party.
Hope you enjoy these story time activities from the comfort of your own living room…no mittens necessary!
Jocelyn Greene is the Founder and Executive Director of Child’s Play NY. Jocelyn has been teaching theater to children since 1998. Jocelyn has worked with children in theaters across the country, including Oddfellows Playhouse in Connecticut, and Will Power to Youth in California. She is a teaching artist with Epic Theater Ensemble in New York, bringing Shakespeare into the city’s public high schools. Jocelyn is a member of Actors Equity Association and has performed at The Public Theatre, Ensemble Studio Theatre and New York Theatre Workshop among others. She holds an MFA in Acting from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and a BA in English and Spanish Literature from Wesleyan University. Read press on Jocelyn.