We were recently sent an Easy Playtown Set from Square One Kids to try out for you all. It's a play set made from cardboard. The whole set comes in it's own box which turns into the "mat" and has 3 buildings...
----------------------> Click HERE to read more and enter to win an Easy Playtown Set!
Since I'm only one person and can only do so much in a week I thought I'd load you up with lots of pirate inspiration from others today!
Make a treasure map from a paper bag from B.Nute Productions
Egg Carton treasure box (and treasure) from Nurture Store
Jello boat snack from The Remodeled Life
Build a pirate ship from Kate's Creative Place
Walk the plank from Chick a Bug
Between a Dog and a Hard Place has a GREAT pirate week up on her blog (good for younger kids too!)
A Pirate play date from The Busy Budgeting Mama
A sand jewel hunt from The Fickle Pickle (you could do this in the park)
and pirate sensory play from Momma's Fun World
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from Crayon Freckles
And Navigating the Preschool Years
activity, interaction, play, theme weeks in Pirate, activities, inspiration, play, theme weeks 
Welcome to Pirate Week! This week we'll share some fun activities and inspiration for all your little Pirates including a fun giveaway! But first your pirate must be outfitted in proper attire which includes a hook.
You may have seen this DIY hook before - it's super easy. Just cut a hole or slit in a plastic cup, form a hook from some tin foil and slip in the hole. I was informed that pirates did NOT have blue hook bases so we covered our cup with black duct tape.
However, everyone knows that a good pirate doesn't just have a hook.
A pirate can't eat sushi without chop sticks ;)
And a pirate can't draw a treasure map with a fork
And apparently a cookie needs to be eaten with a spoon
This is a fun way to incorporate activities for a party or an at home pirate day. Give them different inserts to complete different tasks. You could even use this for doing chores - cleaning the countertops is so much more fun with a sponge hand than without.
interaction, play, playtime, theme weeks in Pirate, activities, interaction, play, theme weeks 
Now this might be more detective than spy - but I don't mind if you don't! This is a fun game/activity that can be switched up for just your own kids or a whole party of kids. Start by taking everyone's finger prints. For your own family you can do all the fingers but if you have a whole party of kids you may just want to stick with the thumbs.
There are 2 easy ways to do finger prints. A less messy way is with a regular pencil and Scotch tape. Scribble a square of pencil on a paper and place your thumb into the square.
Then press your thumb onto a small piece of Scotch tape
Peel off the tape and place on a sheet of paper and you have a perfect little finger imprint.
If you want to go the more traditional route you can use stamp ink
For this game you'll need 2 sets of each finger prints. One is the record to go off of and the other will be for the crime scenes.
For a party you could hide all the presents at some point and place one of the fingerprints in the area. If you're just doing this at home you could place them around the house. Once they find a fingerprint they can try and figure out whose it is using their magnifying glass and their record of prints.
I love how this game can be changed up to meet your needs. For little ones it might be fun just to examine their fingerprints and then hid them around the hosue for them to find (with their magnifying glass of course!)
See more from SPY WEEK
activity, games, interaction, play, theme weeks in Spy, animals, interaction, play, theme weeks Some of you are starting Spring Break or getting ready to and some are gearing up for Easter. It's about time for a little inspiration round up! There are some awesome ideas from last year HERE / HERE / HERE
Peep jousting deserves a mention all it's own. It's a must in our house this time of year
I love the homemade "baskets" and shirts from Mer Mag last year
How cute is this printable egg delivery truck from Mr. Printables?!
Decorating eggs with Sharpies is a great idea! from Mom.Me
Here's a fun egg toss game from A Mom with a Lesson Plan
Get messy with cracked egg painting! From Growing a Jeweled Rose
Maybe instead of purchasing a basket this year - you could have your kids make theirs - out of LEGO bricks! from Logan Makes a Mess
activity, holiday, inspiration, play, playtime, printables in activities, holiday, inspiration, play, printables We have a quick easy activity for you today that's fun anytime especially because it makes noise. All you'll need is a hex nut (a smaller one) and a balloon.
Put the nut into the balloon and blow it up.
Tie off the balloon. Hold in one spot while spinning the hex nut inside around the balloon. You'll get a screechy noise!
We made a quick video so you can hear what it sounds like since photos can't show you that.
If you shake the balloon too crazy and against things it will pop and the hex nut will go flying - so play with caution (this is said from experience).
I saw a similar idea last summer using plastic sheeting. My problem with that is you'd die in there in 10 minutes in the desert in the summer (oven anyone?!) so I've been wanting to try it with something a little more breathable.
We don't have a small box fan just a tall skinny one. Instead of waiting for the perfect materials I decided to make it work with what we have. After all you all are going to be working with whatever you have at your house which isn't all the same!
I used a duvet cover since it's already secured on 3 sides but if you don't have one just secure 2 flat sheets together (you can duct tape or sew the ends together) I used duct tape to secure the open end around a fan and left an opening for the boys. You'll need to have a way to secure the opening once they're in. Binder clips, clamps, or clothespins are great for this - especially if they can do it from the inside!
That's it! A cool, breathable fan fort! The boys loved it right away.
Then this happened. And they loved it even more.
There is a dog and a kid in there somewhere.
Next week is Spring Break - wish me luck! ;)
activity, diy, fort friday, forts, play, playtime in DIY, activities, fort friday, inspiration, pets, play St Patrick's Day is on Sunday and whether you do anything special or not - here are some fun ideas to add to your "I'm bored bank".
Fiskars made up some props for a St Patrick's themed photo booths. My boys love set up photos
Sassy girls shares how to make ShamROCK glowing glitter jars
Love this green pepper shamrock stamp from Family Fresh Meals
A Mickey themed St Patrick's day printable from Spoonful
A rainbow rice treasure box at Modern Parents Messy Kids
And I love seeing all the fun leprechaun traps!
from How Does She
from Tips N Tidbits
from Lovely Lovely Things
Do you do anything special for St. Patrick's Day?
See last year's inspiration HERE
activity, craft, crafts, holiday, inspiration, play, playtime, toddler in activities, crafts, holiday, inspiration, play, toddler Copyright © 2012, Allison Waken. All rights reserved. Header and Button Designed by Ambrosia Creative.
