Playtime
Making Goop
Start by putting down a garbage bag… You’ll need a box of cornstarch… but $3 is totally worth the hour of sanity you’ll get out of it. You mix the cornstarch with barely enough water and food colouring to get it runny: think slightly-too-soft cookie dough. (i.e., LOTS of cornstarch, and probably one cup to 1.5 cups of water.) It makes a non-Newtonian fluid (if you want to sound all sciency). Basically, if you punch it, hit it or grab it… it’ll go solid.
As soon as you relax your hold if it (or gently push your hand into it) it’ll turn to a thick pancake-batter like consistency. Makes cool “ooze” for little kids to play with… and cornstarch is a no-brainer for clean-up. Enjoy.
Dancing with Your Kids
My son hits. It drives me nuts. I have been searching for a way to teach him to channel anger and frustration in a healthier way. And then it struck me: movement. As a young girl at theatre school, I remember an incredible exercise where the facilitator put on 2 minutes of different types of music in succession, and we would move. Artsy? Yeah. Cheesy? Not really. Dance like nobody’s watching – remember? These days, iTunes has made the concept easier than ever. Try it with your kids. Read more
Kids’ Activities in Toronto
When it gets that cold in the winter, there’s no excuse for laziness during the good weather. Toronto is Canada’s largest city, and has so many activities and special sights to offer for children. Kids in Toronto have lots to choose from. You can pick any corner of the city and education and experiences will abound. Here’s a fun list of stuff to do while you’re in the Big Smoke. Read more
Skating at Robson Square
In preparation for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics, the city has done some pretty spectacular things. One of our favourites is the GE Plaza at Robson Square, an outdoor skating rink complete with live music, a zamboni painted like an Orca, and free helmets for children. Oh – and strollers are permitted on the ice. What more could a parent want? You can even rent skates (a la Rockefeller Plaza) for a romantic lunch date downtown with a working spouse (and the Bugaboo can accompany you as you glide together). Robson Street at Howe, free admission, $3 ice skate rentals. Open 9am – 9pm.
Chalkboard Paint
And we thought that black chalkboard paint was cool. Imagine being able to make a wipe-off-able rainbow… Hudson Paint has just released its fab chalkboard paint in 24 new colors. Paint the kids snack table, create a child-height border around their bedroom, or finally get organized by making a flow chart on a wall in the mudroom. You could also paint the inside of kitchen cupboard doors, or make a wipe-able calendar on your office wall. Resolution to get organized? Done. Read more
