Playing Smart: The Family Guide to Enriching, Offbeat Learning Activities for Ages 4 to 14

by Susan K. Perry

Our new edition of a family favorite has hundreds of fun and educational activities that promote creative thinking, laughter, and loving relationships. From ways to make walking interesting to tips for creating a family book of world records, Susan Perry brings together simple activities that rely on little more than family commitment. For parents who are looking for ways to enhance quality time, or for those who are looking for new, creative ways to play and learn with their children, PLAYING SMART provides a treasure trove of activities, resources, and ideas. Included in this revised, expanded, and updated edition are new chapters on the five-senses and geography as well as many new activities. Updated resources and family-friendly Web sites help point the way to more adventures.

Genres: Parenting, Education

228 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1990

About the author

I was born in Brooklyn and was brought to California when I was 9. Some sharp listeners can still hear a hint of an accent.

After high school, I and my family spent nine months in the Middle East and Europe, which was a life-changing period for me. Then I went to UCLA.

Marriage, kids, back to school, writing, divorce, more writing -- all nonfiction articles to that point -- and then new love. And back to school again. (I do love school and have had dreams at night that I'm still there but have forgotten to attend class and am months behind.)

After my Ph.D. was turned into a bestseller (WRITING IN FLOW), I wrote five more books before realizing I had to try my hand at fiction. A decade went by, revising, resubmitting, all that necessary stuff.

My first novel KYLIE'S HEEL was published by Humanist Press. It got some cool kudos, which is certainly gratifying. Selling a small press book to the public is really hard though. (Especially for an introvert.)

I read tons of novels, blog about some of them and their authors on my Creativity blog at PsychologyToday.com. My two kids are grown, and my poet husband died not very long ago.

Reviews

[Lynn Pribus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nicely done book with interesting activities for children. And they don't involved computers!

[Jenni Pertuset]

I started reading this, and have paused for the moment (it's more of a resource than a straight-through sort of read) I love it for all the wonderful ideas that, contrary to most "activities" book, have nothing to do with cut and paste or sparkles and markers, and everything to do with cooperative mental games and inspiring outings with your kids.

why: I think I saw a mention of this is in Raising Freethinkers. I'm not usually interested in "activities to do with your kid" books because really, who has the time to do more? But what's offered here promises to be interesting approaches to projects we are doing or might do anyway, like photography, cooking together, or visiting a cemetery.

[Qiong Gao · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are many great ideas in this book. It also provides plenty handful resource including books and websites.