We’ve just gotten back from a week at the lake, and as relaxing as it was to get away for several days, it’s also exhausting to be away from home when you have two little kids with you!
Because we didn’t have a lot of room in the car for toys and distractions, I knew I’d need to get creative with activities to keep my toddlers entertained!
All you need for this activity is foil and some small objects.
Play Schema Inspiration
Today’s activity was inspired by my three-year-old’s fascination with the enveloping play schema.
If you’re not familiar with play schemas or schematic play, basically, it is a pattern of play that kids do over and over again. Like when a baby puts things inside boxes over and over again. Or a child will spin and spin until he is dizzy, then get up and spin again!
The enveloping schema has been showing itself when my toddler
- wraps herself up in a blanket,
- plays dress up,
- hides inside a box,
- buries rocks in the sandbox.
So, I knew from the start that this activity would be a hit with her.
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Setting up a Foil Gift Wrapping Station
I cut up large squares of foil into four smaller squares and stacked the foil squares on the coffee table.
Next, I set a box of shape blocks beside the foil squares.
All I had to do was invite my daughter to “wrap presents.”
She was so excited.
And we ran out of foil.
Your Turn to Try Wrapping With Foil
Is your toddler showing signs of interest in the enveloping play schema? Try this activity with her and let me know in the comments how it went!