Ever since The Boy started school, I've missed many parts of our daily routine especially the spontaneous play sessions. Once home from school, he tends to collapse on the sofa with a snack and drink, watching television for a little while, and I realised quite quickly that it would be very easy for it to suddenly be tea time and not have had any time together doing anything.
As a result I have started setting up a play invitation for him to explore, nothing challenging or requiring any detailed levels of concentration, more activities that allow sensory exploration. I think he finds them quite therapeutic, exploring different textures, drawing patterns and allowing his mind to wander as he plays.
5 Easy After School Play Activities
- Tiddlywinks: I used transparent counters, painted some wooden numbers and place them in different sections. Each tiddlywink that lands in that section scores that point. The Boy loved working out his score after we'd played, and yes he beat me.
- Decorate The Line: I drew a wavy line on a piece of A4 paper and provided a choice of different coloured sands, beads and sequins to decorate the line as he saw fit.
- Pom-Pom Pick-Up: Pom-poms of different sizes amd colours, and large tweezers. This gives the potential for the child to sort them (if they want to) into colours or sizes.
- Coffee and Cinnamon Sensory Play: Based on this sensory play activity, I let The Boy explore the different scents from the coffee, cinnamon and dried oranges.
- Curious Conkers: It's Autumn and that means conker season. Would work well at any time of the year with flowers, seeds etc.
All of these items are resources that we had lying around the house (or garden). The partitioned plate is one of three that I bought for The Boy's birthday party food last year from Asda. The large tweezers are from Amazon and the coloured counters for tiddlywinks from eBay.
This is fab! Such simple activites to do aswell! Where do you get your trays from?
The trays are from Asda in the party section and cost £1.50 each. These are really simple activities with household items. Enjoy!
some good ideas here. i have enjoyed seeing the boy's face during these activities on IG x
Thanks lovely, he had great fun doing them.
Brilliant! Thank you for the inspiration.
I love this! Mine would sit in front of the tv all night after school if Iet them. I am so grateful for new ideas!
xx
The Boy would too, but this is a great way of us feeling like we've done something plus he finds it quite therapeutic.
What fab ideas chick, i think we might have to try your tiddlywinks game, we have some of those partitioned trays, never thought of using them for play!! 🙂
I know, I wouldn't have either but had a moment of inspiration!
I don't know about after school these would be perfect for some of that school play time too. I wish you taught at our school!
Thanks lovely, I'd love to work in such a small school. I think they would work really well in the classroom too, if only I could persuade my headteacher to let me go down to the nursery!
Fabulous ideas, as always!
Thanks lovely!
Great ideas. Will definitely give Blake something else to do, instead of fighting with his brother! xxx
I think it's a lovely calming activity, ideal after school for the 'comatosed' state of mind that so many have.
fantastic ideas. I need to do some more. These little invitations to play are so good for diverting Goblin away from wanting to watch TV when he's tired. Your coffee grounds one was such a hit with my little one.
I'm so pleased, The Boy is always asking to play with them again, although the other day he did want sugar and milk as well…
Simply fantastic ideas. I love these ideas. Mia loves playing and sorting pompoms
Thanks matey, the tray has made me think about how I can create interesting play sessions for him with minimal effort but maximum effect.
Those are good ideas. It's all too easy to have them on the iPad in your lap!
It completely is, and they don't take much effort at all to be honest!
love the plates! What great ideas 🙂 x
Thanks, very simple and effective.
I love this idea to give your child something to do that will help him wind down after school rather than keep challenging him. I definitely want to incorporate something like this for my Kindergartener.