loose parts Archives - Happy Hooligans

Sandbox Ideas – Toy Suggestions, Play Ideas and Storage Solutions

Jackie Currie — Fri, 03 May 2019 02:25:05 +0000

Transform your sandbox from ordinary to extra-ordinary with these easy, awesome sandbox ideas. Lots of simple tips and tricks to create backyard sandbox that inspires creative, imaginative play. We spend a ton of time playing in our backyard play space, and without a doubt, the most popular spot for the kids to play in is our our sandbox...

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Adding Artificial Flowers to Your Outdoor Play Space

Jackie Currie — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 20:25:40 +0000

See how a couple of dollars can add countless hours of creative and imaginative fun to your outdoor play space. Who knew such a small investment would be worth so much! Look at all the fun the hooligans have with these artificial flowers. All year ROUND, I should add...

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Homemade Story Stones

Jackie Currie — Sat, 17 Jan 2015 13:00:42 +0000

Ok, I have a WONDERFUL little project to share with you today, and if you're a creative teacher or caregiver or parent, you will love it.

I made these story stones for my daycare, using stones collected from the beach, and cut-outs from magazines and fabric swatches.

They were really fun and easy to make, and I can't tell you how much the hooligans LOVE them.

These stones help them to construct a story-line, aid in narrating a story, prompt them to think creatively, help them gain confidence when speaking in a group.

So, not only are they a valuable teaching/learning tool in our daycare, they're also really fun to play with.

When you're at the beach this summer, collect a bucketful of smooth stones so you can make a set of these for your classroom or daycare!

Check 'em out!

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Pretend Tea Party with Natural Items

Jackie Currie — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 20:32:17 +0000

Set up a pretend tea party play in the backyard where the kids can make a mess, use their imaginations, and get creative exploring items found in nature. Remember how much fun it was to play “tea party” was when you were little? Pouring and measuring and serving cups of “tea” to your friends and...

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25 Creative Ways to Re-Use Keurig K-Cups

Jackie Currie — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 16:58:48 +0000

A Keurig coffee machine is a wonderful thing. It’s convenient, fast and easy, and it makes the perfectly brewed, perfectly sized cup of coffee every time, right? It’s coffee perfection right there in your kitchen except for one thing… The downside to the Keurig is all of those little, plastic k-cups piling up in the...

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Fall Sensory Table

Jackie Currie — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 06:55:17 +0000

Fall Sensory Table Ideas – set up an autumn tablescape for toddlers and preschoolers to explore the textures, colours and wonders of fall. With October on the horizon, I’ll be sharing all the Fall activities we’ve been doing. To start, we combined mirror play with our Fall Sensory Table this week. The hooligans have really enjoyed exploring...

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Sensory Play on a Mirror – a fun way for preschoolers to explore and discover

Jackie Currie — Fri, 13 Sep 2013 04:19:16 +0000

Using a mirrored surface for sensory play is a fun and exciting way for toddlers and preschoolers to explore and examine small items in a way that they haven’t before. You can see all of our mirror play activities here. Earlier this week, I did something I’ve been wanting to do for a while now....

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Bottle Babies – Loose Parts for Play

Jackie Currie — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 11:16:48 +0000

Bottle Babies: inexpensive, open-ended loose parts make a great addition to an indoor or outdoor play space. I first learned about Bottle Babies over at Takoma Park Cooperative Nursery School. Inexpensive, easy and fun to make, bottle babies are similar to discovery bottles or I Spy Jars. They make a wonderful, open-ended addition to any...

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Rope And Hula Hoop Activity – Gross Motor Fun for Preschoolers

Jackie Currie — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:13:53 +0000

Add a simple rope and hula hoop activity to your outdoor play space for imaginative play and gross-motor development. This activity was quick and easy to set up, and it didn’t cost a thing, because I already had the hula hoops and the rope. I simply strung a very long length of rope over our clothes-line,...

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Bucket and Rope “Pulley” Contraption for the Backyard Play Space

Jackie Currie — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 04:57:08 +0000

Rig up a simple bucket and rope “pulley” contraption in your backyard play space. It’s an easy, inexpensive DIY that will provide hours of open-ended play for toddlers and preschoolers. When it comes to outdoor activities for toddlers and preschoolers, I’m all about keeping it simple, especially when it comes to our backyard play area....

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How to Make a Pool Noodle Abacus for your Backyard Play Space

Jackie Currie — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 03:50:02 +0000

How to make a pool noodle abacus with ropes and pool noodles for toddlers and preschoolers to play with in the backyard. I recently made this pool noodle abacus for the toddlers and preschoolers in my daycare, and it’s become one of the most popular features in our backyard play space. Ok, so technically ours...

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Pretend Play with Artificial Flowers – for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Jackie Currie — Thu, 02 May 2013 02:50:37 +0000

Pretend play with artificial flowers – a fun, springtime water play activity for toddlers and preschoolers in your backyard play space. Recently, the hooligans enjoyed a morning of pretend play with artificial flowers, and the activity was completely child led. On Friday, the older hooligans ran out into our play yard, while I remained inside getting the little ones...

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Sponges as Loose Parts in the Playroom

Jackie Currie — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:27:53 +0000

Pick up a package of colourful dollar store sponges to add to your collection of loose parts in the playroom. Here, I’ll show you all the creative ways my toddlers and preschoolers explored and played with ours in a mere half hour the other day. “Children learn as they play. Most importantly, in play children...

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Playing with Corn Cobs in the Fall – Sensory Activity for Preschoolers

Jackie Currie — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:27:47 +0000

Playing with corn cobs – a fun fall activity t0 entertain toddlers and and preschoolers all month long. The toddlers and preschoolers in my daycare love playing with cobs of corn in the fall. I have a friend who has a huge cornfield and every autumn, she brings us a big bucketful of corn cobs...

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