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Unplugged Play: Toddler: 156 Activities Games for Ages 1-2
Unplug your toddler with over 150 screen-free games and activities!
“Every parent ought to have this... [A] feast of unplugged family favorites, forgotten and new.”––Penelope Leach, PhD, psychologist and author of Your Baby and Child
From Tunnel Tube to Party Play Dough, Bumper Ball to Hoop-Dee-Do, here are more than 150 screen-free games and activities to help kids enjoy the wholesome old-fashioned experience of playing creatively and freely...without technology. There are outdoor games and indoor games, games to play solo and games to play with others, crafts, songs, guessing games, puppet ideas, playdates and party favorites––even instant activities to do at the kitchen table while dinner’s cooking. All games are toddler-tested and approved!
A note to parents: Play matters! Technology has the place, but these unplugged games are designed to stretch the imagination, spark creativity, build strong bodies, and forge deeper connections with family and friends.
“Every parent ought to have this... [A] feast of unplugged family favorites, forgotten and new.”––Penelope Leach, PhD, psychologist and author of Your Baby and Child
From Tunnel Tube to Party Play Dough, Bumper Ball to Hoop-Dee-Do, here are more than 150 screen-free games and activities to help kids enjoy the wholesome old-fashioned experience of playing creatively and freely...without technology. There are outdoor games and indoor games, games to play solo and games to play with others, crafts, songs, guessing games, puppet ideas, playdates and party favorites––even instant activities to do at the kitchen table while dinner’s cooking. All games are toddler-tested and approved!
A note to parents: Play matters! Technology has the place, but these unplugged games are designed to stretch the imagination, spark creativity, build strong bodies, and forge deeper connections with family and friends.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 18, 2020
56 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Bobbi Conner
15 books7 followersBobbi Conner created the award-winning, nationwide public radio series The Parents Journal and hosted the program for twenty-four years. Conner’s public radio program, audio interviews, books, and articles have been featured in USA Today, Newsweek, the Washington Post, Parade, Parents, Parenting, CBS This Morning, and PBSParents.org.
Bobbi Conner is the author of:
* Unplugged Play Toddler
* Unplugged Play Preschool
* Unplugged Play Grade School
* Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting
* The Book of Birthday Letters
Conner is the mother of three children. She lives in South Carolina
Bobbi Conner is the author of:
* Unplugged Play Toddler
* Unplugged Play Preschool
* Unplugged Play Grade School
* Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting
* The Book of Birthday Letters
Conner is the mother of three children. She lives in South Carolina
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 1, 2023
This guide had so many different activities. A lot were fairly basic, almost all involved things you already own and not bad set up times.
There was outdoor play, solo play and play with others. Some were for creativity, others to teach skills and others to reldlease energy.
I liked how this book stressed lowering electronic presence and screen time. I'm not perfect about this, but it's important to do.
I am glad I borrowed instead of bought this, though, because we already do a lot from the book. However it was a good source to remind me of activities we haven't done in awhile or slightly different ways to approach a favorite.
#toddlermom #toddlerlife #unpluggedplay #toddleractivities #mom life #kidhacks #toddlerhacks #toddlerfun
There was outdoor play, solo play and play with others. Some were for creativity, others to teach skills and others to reldlease energy.
I liked how this book stressed lowering electronic presence and screen time. I'm not perfect about this, but it's important to do.
I am glad I borrowed instead of bought this, though, because we already do a lot from the book. However it was a good source to remind me of activities we haven't done in awhile or slightly different ways to approach a favorite.
#toddlermom #toddlerlife #unpluggedplay #toddleractivities #mom life #kidhacks #toddlerhacks #toddlerfun
August 14, 2020
My favorite part of the book is a quote from Fred Rogers that says, "Play is not trivial. When children play, they're doing important work." I love that this book celebrates the joy of childhood play!
This book is divided into sections with ideas for solo play, parent and child play, playing with others, and playing at a party. There is an introduction that goes deeper into why playing is so important for childhood development.
There are so many great ideas for simple games and crafts in this book! There are ball games, a bean bag toss, clapping and counting games, and role-playing as a cook, mailman, or doll mother. You can head outside for hide and seek games, hula-hoop target games, or floating plastic plates in a wading pool.
Kids love doing arts and crafts with simple washable paints or crayons. You can even make your own puppets and have a puppet show!
There are game ideas for beach day, snow day, picnics, and indoor and outdoor play. And there are wonderful game ideas for a toddler birthday party that can get all those little kids playing together in harmony.
The best part is that very few props or tools are needed for most of the games. You can use old newspaper as a wadded-up "ball", and mark out a target with some old painter's tape. Voila! You have a ball and target game, and your toddlers will have fun trying to throw the "balls" into the target.
I am so impressed with how this book is organized and with the brilliant yet simple "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" ideas!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
This book is divided into sections with ideas for solo play, parent and child play, playing with others, and playing at a party. There is an introduction that goes deeper into why playing is so important for childhood development.
There are so many great ideas for simple games and crafts in this book! There are ball games, a bean bag toss, clapping and counting games, and role-playing as a cook, mailman, or doll mother. You can head outside for hide and seek games, hula-hoop target games, or floating plastic plates in a wading pool.
Kids love doing arts and crafts with simple washable paints or crayons. You can even make your own puppets and have a puppet show!
There are game ideas for beach day, snow day, picnics, and indoor and outdoor play. And there are wonderful game ideas for a toddler birthday party that can get all those little kids playing together in harmony.
The best part is that very few props or tools are needed for most of the games. You can use old newspaper as a wadded-up "ball", and mark out a target with some old painter's tape. Voila! You have a ball and target game, and your toddlers will have fun trying to throw the "balls" into the target.
I am so impressed with how this book is organized and with the brilliant yet simple "why-didn't-I-think-of-that" ideas!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
November 17, 2020
YES! This is what our society needs!
I read this gem twice through. Bobbi Conner uses refreshing common sense and wisdom from experts to provide simple, creative, exploratory games for early childhood. I can see this being a go-to guide for moments when you need to have something for your kiddo but don't want to resort to a screen to keep them occupied. I am going to use these concepts in music therapy sessions, but also recommend this for parents. Conner reminds us with simple quotes that we need to unplug, and that screens are like hot fudge sundaes - great, but only sometimes.
I read this gem twice through. Bobbi Conner uses refreshing common sense and wisdom from experts to provide simple, creative, exploratory games for early childhood. I can see this being a go-to guide for moments when you need to have something for your kiddo but don't want to resort to a screen to keep them occupied. I am going to use these concepts in music therapy sessions, but also recommend this for parents. Conner reminds us with simple quotes that we need to unplug, and that screens are like hot fudge sundaes - great, but only sometimes.
July 19, 2022
Here are more than 150 screen-free games and activities to help kids enjoy the wholesome old-fashioned experience of playing creatively and freely...without technology. There are outdoor games and indoor games, games to play solo and games to play with others, crafts, songs, guessing games, puppet ideas, playdates and party favorites––even instant activities to do at the kitchen table while dinner’s cooking.
September 24, 2020
If you ever wonder what kinds of activities to be doing with your toddler, you've got to get your hands on this book. It's jam packed with a ton of activities. There are one on one, group and self play activities to choose from. We discovered lots of cool things to do that I would have never thought of. Check it out!
Read
September 27, 2020Plenty of great toddler (ages 1-3) play ideas, divided by type, perfect for free play at the end of baby or toddler storytime. Includes some book recommendations and rhymes, though all are familiar and lack in diversity. Will return to this if we are ever able to safely return to in-person storytime play.
June 28, 2023
This is a great resource for parents and caretakers of toddlers! There is a good variety of activities. If materials are required, they are mostly common things that might already be in the home, or can be bought inexpensively. Highly recommend!
January 4, 2021
Great, simple ideas, but more helpful if this is your first child
July 19, 2022
Great ideas, and the format is easy to follow.
September 11, 2023
Simple and easy format, nothing really surprising or I haven't heard of other places.
February 26, 2025
Lovely ideas and information to help you when your stuck on what to do with your toddler or a group of toddlers.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews