You mean these things have a "real" purpose?

I love the ideas my kids come up with - from the ordinary everyday items around the house, integrating their toys into their play and using things in anyway other than the "intended". That's been a philosophy I've been passionate about from the beginning.

Even before I'd heard of unschooling, I took a hands off non-teaching approach to the way the kids played. Any toys I've usually bought the kids have been of an open-ended variety and I've stood back and seen the amazing things they've done with what's available - and just assisting as required or if they just wanted me to play. That's not to say we don't have "schooly" type resources available if they want to use them (hence the abc book below), but I've not yet sat down with them going through it unless they've wanted to find out more about it (Nathan has some fun activity workbooks that he's liked on and off for the past 2yrs and at times likes me to do them with him and other times we don't see them for months).

Danielle wanted to roll the floor mat up to let cars go down it. It's a game Nathan's been playing for years, so it was interesting that out of the blue she decided she wanted to do that yet they haven't played this for a few months.

I bought them a write and wipe book with magnetic letters and puzzle pieces that arrived yesterday. So the kids have been busy at it in many different ways...


Friends lent us Cranium Caraboo yesterday, so we've had that out playing with it. The beginner level is great for Danielle and she's figuring out the whole "taking turns" with game play. They then stacked the balls up in the middle of room later on and I suggested I show them a game they might like called Robin's Nest where they had to collect all the balls from the middle one at a time and take them back to their "nest" and then hunt for more balls from the other's nest. I hoped it wouldn't all turn to tears with one losing all their balls, but as it was they kept up with each other and it was only when they both got so tired they had to stop running lol. A great game to burn off some energy! They actually are both pretty good at losing a game and seem to be genuinely happy for anyone else that wins (so far anyway!).

The day also involved time in the garden, bouncing on the tramp, out doing the groceries, quick play at the playground on the way home, playing Whoosit, reading stories together, Danielle napping on my lap at 4.30pm coz she was so tired and it was so nice to have a snuggly cuddle with her until I woke her 1/2 hr later...