Made For Play
Explore child development through play, find inspiration for your next DIY project, and discover tips for selecting the perfect toys for your little ones.
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Shop by Skill: Active Play
Active play is essential for kids’ physical development, helping to improve their coordination, balance, gross-motor skills, and fine-motor skills. Active play is also great for directing the natural energy of kids in a healthy way, making it beneficial for kids and parents alike! Curious about what active play in child development consists of? Active play is a type of physical play that helps children develop movement skills, confidence, and physical literacy. It’s often unplanned, self-directed, and comes naturally to kids. And, of course, it’s a ton of fun! If you’re wondering what is an example of active play, it’s hard to narrow it down since there are so many! From simply running and jumping to riding a bike and kicking a ball to building forts and climbing trees, the list is endless. And kids don’t have any trouble coming up with all kinds of active play ideas! Active Play Toys Kids & Toddlers While there are plenty of active play activities for children that don’t require anything but kids and their imaginations, there are also a variety of active play toys for preschoolers through school-aged children that provide even more active play opportunities. Whether indoors or outdoors, active play toys encourage kids to use their energy and creativity. Indoor Active Play Toys Two classic indoor active play ideas all ages will love are indoor scavenger hunts and, of course, hide-and-seek! If you’re looking for another active play idea for toddlers, KidKraft offers a variety of climbers that are perfect for toddlers to burn off their energy and can be used both inside and outside. Climbers are one of the best indoor active play toys and are sure to get plenty of use! Outdoor Active Play Toys For outdoor active play fun, you’ll find an array of swing sets, outdoor playhouses, sandboxes and more that make it easy to foster active play right in your backyard. These types of active play toys encourage kids to play outside while getting physical activity and using their imaginations. Made of durable materials, every one of our kids’ outdoor playsets and swing sets is designed to withstand years of jumping, climbing, and swinging. Discover a variety of active play toys to suit your space and budget at KidKraft. Shop our active play toys for kids &; toddlers. Whether you’re looking for a kids’ outdoor playset, other outdoor play activities, or indoor active play toys, you’ll find what you need here. We also have great toys for imaginative play, cognitive play, creative play, and social play.
Unlocking the Power of Play: 4 Essential Types to Inspire Your Child
We love talking about kids’ play almost as much as we love developing open-ended, play-focused toys. Because we believe play is so much more than entertainment. It’s a brain-boosting, vocabulary-building, social-skill-teaching wonder. Just as your kiddo needs a varied diet, they need different types of play – and these four are a great place to start! Here are four essential types of play that help your child learn, grow, and thrive! Constructive Play Constructive play is anything that involves kids building with toys like building blocks, play dough, train sets, and craft materials. This type of play looks like it’s all fun and games, but it can also indicate whether kids are hitting developmental milestones. Babies between 14 and 20 months should be able to stack two blocks together, then four blocks by 17 - 24 months, and finally six blocks by 20 - 30 months. Experts use these benchmarks to gauge whether your child’s hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, and cognitive skills are developing as expected. Constructive play has also been associated with kids’ performance in school, especially in math. In one study, kids who created more complex structures around age 4 were more likely to have higher math scores later in life. This type of play has also been linked to improved spatial reasoning, stronger language development, and more creative problem-solving. Dramatic/ Pretend Play Dramatic play happens when kids take on a “role” and act it out. It can be as simple as playing chef in their play kitchen or as whimsical as pretending to be a fairy astronaut in space. Either way, kids are benefitting from their made-up scenarios… especially when you join in and play with them! For younger toddlers, pretend play often looks like acting out aspects of adult life – even the ones that might seem dull to us like sorting mail or folding socks. This type of play helps them make sense of the adult world and build essential life skills. For older kids, pretend play takes on endless possibilities. When they act out real-world scenarios (even with a little fantasy twist), they rehearse the social norms of everyday interactions, building their confidence and vocabulary. When they pretend to be another character or person, they practice putting themselves in someone else’s shoes, helping them develop empathy and social understanding. And of course, pretend play is hugely important for helping kids develop their creativity! Active Play Running, jumping, hanging, climbing, etc. are all part of the active play category, and as you could probably guess, this type of play is critical for kids’ physical health. As they engage in high-energy activities (ideally outside), they’re not just strengthening muscles and getting exercise. They’re developing strong bone density and robust vestibular systems (the bodily system that’s responsible for balance and spatial awareness.) Active play has tons of less obvious benefits too. Kids who get more activity tend to sleep better at night, have an easier time focusing on academic tasks, and are less likely to struggle with anxiety and depression, Social Play All of these types of play can be combined with another critical type: social play. Whether it’s playing tag, building a tower together, or playing house with a friend, social play fosters social and emotional development as kids learn to interact with their peers. When kids pretend together, each pretend scenario comes with a kind of unspoken social contract as kids decide what they are going to be and how their make-believe world works. If they want to change something about the scenario, they’ll need to communicate and get their friends on board. But don’t worry if it seems like your toddler isn’t exactly interested in social play yet. Sociologist Mildred Parten broke down kids’ stages of play into six distinct categories, all of which involve different amounts of social interaction: Unoccupied play occurs when very young babies observe the world around them with interest but don’t try to interact with it yet. Independent play occurs when a child plays alone. It usually begins around age 2 and lasts through childhood. Onlooker play is most common around ages 2 and 3 and occurs when kids simply observe other kids playing but don’t join in. Though it may seem like they’re not doing much, they’re actually soaking in a ton of information on social norms and how older kids play together. Parallel play is also common around ages 2 and 3. In this case kids are playing near each other, often doing similar activities, but aren’t really playing with each other yet. Associative play is similar to parallel play but with a little more social interaction as kids may talk to each other and influence each other’s activities (like making suggestions for their block tower or trying to copy a friend’s drawing). This type of play is most common between ages 3 and 4. Cooperative play is what we’re likely thinking of when we picture traditional “social play.” Kids are truly playing with each other, not just near each other, and are interacting and communicating. This type of play emerges as kids’ favorite way to interact with their peers around age 4 or 5. Each of these stages is important, so don’t worry if your little one is more of an onlooker than a “jump-on-in” type. They’re still picking up valuable social skills that will benefit them later when they do engage more in cooperative play! Helping Your Child Engage in Different Types of Play Helping your kiddos get enough of each type of play is simple. As long as they aren’t spending too much time on screens or at scheduled events, they’ll naturally seek out these types of play on their own. Our job is simply to provide a few open-ended toys that support each type of play, give them plenty of free time to engage in play, and join in on the fun! Use our Shop by Skills page to easily find toys that foster these different types of play and the developmental skills associated with them!
Balancing Act: Nurturing Physical Skills Through Playful Exploration
Balancing Act: Nurturing Physical Skills Through Playful Exploration Did you know play and physical activity are inherently intertwined? They’re both essential components of healthy development in children. Through play, children engage in movement and exploration, which nurtures their physical skills and lays the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle as they grow. The Foundations of Physical Development: Understanding Key Skills In early childhood, physical growth lays the groundwork for discovery and learning. During this early period of development, there are four essential skills that equip kids to tackle the world around them. These skills, honed through active play, enable children to master their environments with confidence and joy. Balance Balance is the ability to maintain control of a body position while performing a task. It helps children develop the skills they need for physical activity and sets the foundation for future learning and physical activities. Coordination Coordination helps children develop their ability to move in different ways, control their movements, and develop fine motor control. It bolsters a child’s ability to grasp, manipulate, and interact with the world. Playing in a sandbox is a simple way to simultaneously foster a child’s fine motor skills and creativity. Strength Strength lays the foundation for active, playful learning experiences. Kids with robust physical abilities tackle challenges with enthusiasm and endurance. Agility Agility nurtures swift thought and brisk motion. This skill is excellent for helping kids prepare for sports and diverse types of physical play. Playful Exploration: The Gateway to Physical Mastery Learning through play is a wonderful way for kids to spend time because, while they’re having fun, they’re also actively building their coordination, balance, strength, and agility skills. This turns mundane tasks into exciting challenges and adventures. Gross motor activities are a great way to explore play-based learning. These types of activities have been shown to significantly bolster a child's development in areas such as balance and coordination. A few specific gross motor activities that promote fitness and an active lifestyle are: Running - Running elevates heart health and strengthens leg muscles. Jumping - Jumping enhances muscle power, balance, and bone strength. Climbing - Climbing combines physical play with critical thinking, offering a playground for problem-solving skills to flourish. Climbers and outdoor playhouses are great indoor and outdoor toys that promote climbing. Engaging in activities like running, jumping, and climbing not only improves physical capabilities but also lays a crucial foundation for learning through play. Outdoor Adventures: Harnessing Nature's Playground Outdoor play, in particular, offers a lot of opportunities for children to enhance their coordination, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. It’s also great for motor skills and spatial awareness. When out in nature, kids learn about the world in the most engaging ways, laying a foundation for a lifetime of curiosity. Ways to Engage in Unstructured Play and Movement Exploring trails is a fantastic way to develop endurance and provides various learning opportunities. Visiting parks offers numerous ways of engaging in diverse physical activities and socializing. Engaging with natural landscapes challenges a child's physical skills and fuels their fascination with the world around them. When looking for an engaging outdoor activity at home, a swing set is the perfect way to promote gross motor play in the comfort of your own backyard. Indoor Escapades: Creative Ways to Stay Active Indoors Rainy days don’t need to dampen the spirits if you've got a go-to list of engaging indoor activities. While being outdoors is always a great idea, indoor play also provides plenty of opportunities for learning through play. For example, you can easily transform your living room into an obstacle course where cushions and furniture encourage gross motor play, enhancing agility and strength. Hide-and-seek, a classic, timeless activity, isn’t just as a game, but also serves as a strategic exercise that fosters problem-solving and spatial awareness. There are so many indoor adventures that kids will love to take part in, rain or shine! Sports and Games: Teamwork, Coordination, and Fun Organized sports and games fuel teamwork, boost coordination, and transform physical activity into a joyous journey for kids. Participating in sports and group activities has often led to enhancing physical skills while also fostering teamwork, problem-solving skills, and social bonds among children. Balancing Acts: The Art of Finding Stability Balance plays a pivotal role in nurturing a child's growth. It forms the cornerstone of physical agility, which is crucial for a child's growth. Below are some tried and true activities that can help children improve balance, as well as coordination: Hopscotch Yoga Standing on one foot Bike riding Balance beam Throwing and catching Encourage your child to do these gross motor play activities often and you’ll love seeing them having fun while enhancing their skills more and more each day. Encourage Playful Exploration with KidKraft Encourage active play and physical development with KidKraft's range of outdoor and indoor playsets and toys! Explore our collection and watch your child's skills soar.
The Playground Advantage: Boosting Brain Power and Beyond
Playgrounds provide a wide array of benefits for kids. From fostering imagination and providing physical activity to promoting free-play and socialization and more. They also allow parents and caregivers to spend quality time with their children in an outdoor setting. Let’s explore these playground advantages in more detail below. The Power of Play: Why Playground Time Matters Play has always been an integral part of childhood, serving as a constructive way for kids to spend time while helping them grow and develop in various areas. Slides, swings, sandboxes, and other playground equipment enable kids to build physical abilities and learn social skills. Playgrounds give children a canvas where they play out the adventures in their minds and encourage them to spend more time outdoors partaking in active play. Bringing the Playground Home: Transforming Your Backyard into a Play Haven While taking your kids to the park to enjoy a playground is fun to do, it’s not always easy or practical to make the trip. And if you want your kids to have a playground experience available to them at any time without having to leave the house, why not bring the playground to your backyard? You can transform your yard into a personalized playground for your kids with a combination of outdoor play equipment they’ll love. Home playground ideas stretch beyond traditional swings and slides to include modern swing sets, toddler climbers, and outdoor playhouses designed with imaginative features that stimulate creativity and adventure. With a playground at home, kids will reap the benefits of playing in playgrounds with the comfort and convenience of being at home. Physical Fitness and Gross Motor Development: Active Adventures Await Physical activity in the early years sets the foundation for a healthy lifestyle throughout life. Playground play is a great way to sharpen kids’ gross motor skills since it offers a variety of activities. From swings and slides to climbing frames and monkey bars, playground equipment challenges and builds strength, coordination, and endurance. Kids don’t even know they’re working on these physical skills while they’re having a blast! Stimulating the Senses: Sensory Exploration and Stimulation Playground equipment is available in colorful designs and textured surfaces, providing children with various ways to explore their senses. Each playhouse, swing set, and sandbox creates an opportunity for tactile discovery. Such a sensory-rich environment deeply enriches cognitive and emotional growth while also being a delightful experience for young ones. These playground experiences create a foundation for lifelong learning and well-being. Social Skills and Emotional Well-Being: Building Friendships and Confidence Playgrounds offer more than just physical benefits; they offer a fabulous space for developing vital social skills and emotional strength in kids. Tackling obstacles and sharing equipment has proven effective in enhancing self-confidence and emotional robustness. When sharing playground equipment with others, whether at a park or in your backyard, kids learn the art of empathy, mastering cooperation, and even start developing their negotiation skills. All of this builds a solid foundation for their future interactions. Imaginative Adventures: Fueling Creativity and Storytelling Playgrounds invite kids to tap into their imagination and create unique stories. Slides become sleds going down a snowy mountain, swings turn into airplanes going to a far-off land, sandboxes become enchanted castles, and so much more. Elevate your child's playtime to new heights with KidKraft! Discover the perfect play structures to ignite imagination and foster development.
How to Plan Summer Camp at Home: DIY Fun for Kids
If your kids won’t be going to camp this summer, create a DIY camp at home that they’ll be sure to remember! This fun adventure provides a unique opportunity to blend learning and fun without leaving the house and enables you to enjoy more quality family time together! Tailoring activities for your at-home summer camp is cost-effective and adds a personal touch that commercial camps can’t offer. Follow our suggestions below to plan out your summer camp and look forward to a delightful summer filled with growth, discovery, and family bonding. Setting the Scene: Creating Your DIY Camp Environment Transforming your home into a DIY summer camp environment starts with imaginative decor and fun themes. Garlands, handmade signs, and themed areas reflecting different activities build up excitement and will give your home more of a camp-style look and feel. A welcoming, vibrant atmosphere invites kids into a summer of adventure right in your living room or backyard. Crafting Camp Activities: Engaging Adventures for Every Interest When coming up with ideas for your at-home camp, there are a wealth of DIY summer camp activities that cater to every child’s personality and interests. From exciting hands-on science experiments that fizz and bubble to art projects that nurture their imagination to backyard scavenger hunts, and so much more, the options are endless. Keep puzzles and brain games on deck for those craving a challenge, ensuring each day is dripping with fun yet educational content. For the little athletes, obstacle courses in the backyard will burn energy and build teamwork skills. And for those budding artists, stock up on a variety of art supplies, as well as smocks (or old clothes they can get dirty) and easels. Keep in mind that selecting and adapting activities to suit various ages ensures everyone, from toddlers to tweens, enjoys an engaging, enriching experience. Planning Daily Schedules: Structuring Your Camp Days When planning your DIY summer camp at home, you’ll want to balance your days with a mix of dynamic activities and quieter moments. Schedule in snack breaks for nutrition and to keep energy levels high, as well as independent quiet time where each child can choose from a list of silent activities to do on their own (or with you, depending on their age). This list can include activities like reading, writing, drawing, doing yoga, taking a nap, or listening to music or an audiobook. Structuring each day with activities that require different levels of energy, as well as nutrition and mental breaks, ensures happiness and engagement throughout the day and fosters an environment where learning and fun coexist seamlessly. Connecting with Nature: Outdoor Adventures in Your Own Backyard Speaking of daily schedules, be sure to incorporate outdoor time into your day, weather permitting. A few simple ways to get your kids connecting with nature and enjoying the outdoors right in your backyard include: Backyard Picnics You can schedule backyard picnics weekly or even daily. Weekly picnics can be more planned out and have a menu like a traditional picnic would, while you can add in impromptu “picnics” on any given day by just taking your regular meals or snacks outside. Picnics are an easy way to get the whole family to spend more time outside. Get one or two kids’ picnic tables and your kids will love having their own special place to eat whenever you picnic in your backyard! Sandboxes Sandboxes are a classic space for kids to play, develop fine motor skills, and foster creativity and teamwork. Fill them with toys that inspire castle-building and treasure hunting. Swing Sets Having a swing set is like having a mini adventure park in your backyard. Kids can spend hours jumping, swinging, and letting their imaginations run wild. Of course, always monitor play closely and regularly inspect equipment for safety. Campfire Stories and Songs: Evening Entertainment for All End the day relaxing around a campfire in your yard. Gathering around a blaze provides the perfect cozy spot for you to roast marshmallows, take turns telling campfire stories, and sing fun campfire songs. You can also grab a favorite picture or chapter book off your bookshelf and read aloud by the light of the campfire or have kids help with flashlights. Get Planning! Now that you’ve got some suggestions for creating a memorable DIY summer camp at home filled with customized activities each family member will enjoy, put your plan together and start stocking up on the supplies you’ll need. Explore KidKraft's collection for the perfect outdoor play equipment to make your DIY camp dreams a reality
Summer STEM Activities: Ignite Learning and Fun Under the Sun
In addition to chilling out, going to the pool and beach, and enjoying plenty of outdoor time in general, summer is a great time for kids to combine play with learning with hands-on STEM activities. Many of these activities can even be done outside and adapted for kids of all ages. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) activities are ideal for developing problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and other cognitive skills and are perfect for getting your kids engaged in screen-free activities. Check out the various categories of summer STEM activities below. You can add some of the suggested activities to your weekly summer agenda and use them to inspire other STEM activity ideas Unleash Creativity with STEM Activities That Use Paper Get ready to fold, cut, and experiment with paper! Paper is an easily accessible and versatile material and can be used for many creative STEM projects. Transforming a sheet of paper into a bridge, a plane, or a geometric model is an awesome way to demonstrate engineering and science concepts. Here are some fun paper STEM activities to try: Origami Challenges Origami fosters an understanding of geometry and enhances spatial awareness. Beginning with simple folds, then progressing to more intricate designs, this craft cultivates both patience and precision. You can even have an origami challenge that involves folding a different origami model each day for the entire summer (or a shorter period of time)! Paper Circuits Design a paper circuit (a low-voltage electrical circuit made on paper, using copper tape and surface-mount LEDs). Experiment with layouts and parts and have fun watching your paper creations light up! Make Paper Airplanes Explore aerodynamics by crafting paper airplanes (or kites!). Creative designs spark imagination and working together to create a design that works enhances learning. Dive Into Fun with Easy No-Prep STEM Activities Busy schedules? No problem! Busy families love no-prep STEM activities for their effortless setup and big learning impact. Explore hands-on STEM activities that require minimal setup but yield maximum learning. Here are a few ideas: Trace shadows at different times to learn about the Earth's rotation Create vinegar and baking soda volcanoes to observe chemical reactions. Build simple machines with paper to understand mechanical principles. Use natural elements like leaves for pattern and symmetry activities. Explore Nature with Outdoor STEM Activities Take the fun and learning outside and embrace the wonders of nature. Outdoor STEM activities let you explore science in nature, blending physical activity with ecological learning. From scavenger hunts to DIY weather stations, there's something for every budding scientist. Scavenger Hunts Organizing a nature scavenger hunt involves setting STEM learning objectives like identifying plant species and collecting simple data from the environment. You’ll want to include tasks that challenge kids to solve problems and encourage documenting findings in a nature journal to track progress and observations. DIY Weather Stations Set up a basic weather station at home with everyday items to track atmospheric changes to teach kids about weather science. Regularly observe and note variations for ongoing analysis. Some other outdoor STEM activities you can try are building sundials to merge history with science and exploring community gardens to learn about ecosystem roles. Roar Into Action with Dinosaur-Themed STEM Activities Travel back in time to the age of dinosaurs! Dinosaur STEM activities merge fact and fantasy, enlightening young minds on prehistoric life through engaging, hands-on experiences. Excavate fossils and engineer dino habitats to uncover the mysteries of these prehistoric giants. Excavate Fossils Create a mock excavation site, strategically bury 'fossils', and methodically unearth them. Emphasize hypothesis-making and careful observation. Engineer Dinosaur Habitats Use materials to recreate dinosaur habitats, factoring in climate and vegetation. Research dinosaur species for accuracy, linking biology, earth science, and engineering. Our Adventure Tracks™: Dino World Volcano Escape will make a great addition to any dino-themed summer play (and train play is another fun way to explore STEM concepts!). Reach for the Stars with Space-Themed STEM Activities Explore physics with space-themed STEM activities. These activities build curiosity about our universe by blending science with imagination. Blast off into outer space and beyond and ignite a passion for the cosmos while building rockets, creating constellations, and more. Build Rockets Building simple rockets will teach kids to master rocketry and aerodynamics. Making design variations will teach kids about forces and motion. Once the rockets are built, prepare for a thrilling launch! Take the space exploration fun even further by letting kids simulate a launch from inside their very own spaceship! They’ll love piloting this full-scale rocket cockpit, equipped with lights, sounds, a projecting galaxy map, and rocking motion to create an exciting atmosphere perfect for little space explorers. Create Constellations Create constellation maps or models with accessible materials, linking science to culture through history and mythology. Also view the sky at night and jot down observations in a notebook. Enjoy a STEM-Filled Summer Ready to make this summer unforgettable? Explore KidKraft's STEM-inspired toys and outdoor playsets to keep learning alive and watch your child's curiosity ignite.
How to Support STEM Through Play
Setting our kids up to love learning starts with play – and the STEM subjects are no exception! Even in the toddler years, play helps lay the foundation for early STEM skills and sparks interest in STEM subjects. What Is STEM? STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM in early education often focuses on laying strong foundations in math and science. That part feels pretty self-explanatory to most of us since science and math are basic elementary school subjects that we took as kids too. But the “technology and engineering” part gets a little more confusing to many of us. Those subjects can feel very advanced and foreign to us, leaving us wondering if our preschool kids need to be working with robot kits or building model bridges to get a full STEM education. In reality, toddler and preschoolers get the technology/ engineering component of STEM anytime they’re flexing their creativity and problem-solving muscles. So while those advanced building kits are great for older kids, for toddlers and preschoolers technology/ engineering activities look more like building with bricks or constructing toy train tracks. Toddler STEM Activities and Toys From messy science experiments to block tower masterpieces, these activities support STEM skills, but to your kiddos, they just feel like play! Ramps Playing with ramps is a great way to introduce early physics concepts and experimentation to your kiddos. This can be as simple as propping a cardboard box up against your couch. Roll different balls and other objects down it and encourage your toddler to experiment. Race objects to see which are the fastest, which go the farthest, and what happens when you adjust the incline of the ramp! Magic Milk Magic milk is a classic toddler science activity. They love the swirling colors, and you can introduce some early science concepts as you explain how the soap and fat molecules interact! All you need is need whole milk, dish soap, and some food coloring. Get the details on the science here! Nature Play Getting kids in the great outdoors is a great way to spark an interest in science. You can start conversations and get first-hand experience on so many science-related subjects like the weather, ecosystems, animals, plants, seasons, and more! Get outside, observe what your child is interested in, and explore it together! You can enhance their learning with simple activities like these: Leaf rubbings - Help your child notice the vascular system of leafs and explain what leafs do for plants! Bird/ animal watching - Learn about the different species in your areas and observe and explain behaviors like foraging, nest building, defending territory, etc. Nature scavenger hunts - Help them slow down and notice the little things as you search for items around the park like pine cones, an ant hill, clovers, flowers, etc. This is great for introducing a ton of science-related vocabulary! Fizzy Paint Fizzy paint combines art, sensory play, and science into one fun, kid-approved activity! It lasts a bit longer than your typical baking-soda-and-vinegar activity since the kids interact with the materials more. And as they paint, they’ll also be learning about chemical reactions! Counting Frames Counting frames, also called five frames or ten frames, are a great way to help toddlers understand the concept of numbers rather than just memorizing the order of numbers. Simply make a grid of five to ten squares with painters tape on the floor and gather up a few items to count! Check out the Busy Toddler for ideas to make your counting frames fun! Building Toys Building toys like blocks, train sets, and magnetic tiles are great for fine motor skills, problem solving, and creative thinking! They’re the perfect toddler toy for the “engineering” side of stem! If your toddler is getting bored with plain wooden blocks, they might be ready for more interactive or challenges building materials. Our wooden train sets and building brick activity tables can help make building one of your toddler’s favorite ways to play, making it easy for you to incorporate STEM into their daily lives!
Summer Lunch Ideas for Kids
Feeding kids during the summer can become a challenge for parents and caretakers. While there seems to be plenty of ideas for breakfast and dinner options, lunch is the meal that tends to get lost in the mix leaving us scrambling for what to make. Having some go-to easy summer lunches for kids you can depend on, from summer picnic themes to creative picnic ideas for kids, will simplify meal planning. Check out the 5 themed lunch ideas and related suggestions below and you’ll no longer need to stress when lunchtime rolls around…again. Quick and Easy Sandwich Creations Creating quick and easy sandwich creations can turn the usual lunch prep into an adventure for your kids. They'll love making or helping assemble their own quirky combinations, from classic turkey rolls jazzed up with their favorite veggies to peanut butter and jelly taken up a notch with slices of banana or strawberry. Your kids will have a blast experimenting with different tastes and textures and exploring creativity within the bounds of nutrition and taste. During playtime, your kids can even practice making sandwiches in their very own play kitchen using various kitchen accessories. Refreshing Salads and Wraps Salads and wraps are light, nourishing lunches for kids that are easy to prepare. They’re also refreshingly cool foods to eat on a hot summer day. Two great kid-friendly salads you may want to try are Strawberry Summer Salad and Chicken Caesar Salad. Some favorite ideas for quick wraps include: Hummus with sliced cucumbers and mangoes Chopped chicken breast, shredded cheese, and sliced avocado BLT Nut butter of choice and sliced bananas Take your lunch outside as much as possible to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. When you have a kids’ picnic table in your yard, your kids will love having their own special spot to eat and will want to dine outside as much as possible. Be sure to dine al fresco on National Eat Outside Day, celebrated annually on August 31. Fun and Fruity Snack Ideas With plenty of vibrant, nutrition-packed fruit options available, fruit has become a top pick for kid’s lunches and for summer picnic foods. Let the simplicity of sliced watermelons, berry skewers, and mango cubes elevate your outdoor dining experience, making it memorable for your little ones. For an extra special treat, put together a rainbow fruit salad that will delight even the pickiest of eaters. Invest in a quality outdoor kids picnic table that’s highly durable and will provide a beloved place for outdoor dining and snacking sessions for years to come. DIY Smoothie Bar Setting up a DIY smoothie bar will create a canvas of creativity in your kitchen where your kids can customize their own refreshing drinks. Follow these steps to set up a DIY smoothie bar: Reserve a shelf in your refrigerator and/or freezer for smoothie ingredients. This will save time and make it easier for your child to prepare his or her beverages independently. Decide where you’d like to set up your smoothie station and clear the counter of all items that won’t be needed to make smoothies. Gather your essentials: a blender, measuring cups and spoons, drinkware and straws, and various ingredients including: a mix of fresh and or frozen fruits and vegetables, nut butters, sweeteners like honey and maple syrup, milk, yogurt, nuts and seeds, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Initially, prepare a few blended beverages while your kids observe. Then encourage experimentation and stay nearby to answer questions or make recommendations while they attempt to make their own smoothies. In between smoothie making sessions, your kids will have fun coming up with unique smoothie recipes and “making” them in their play kitchen. This is a wonderful activity that fosters creativity and independence in meal preparation. Interactive Food Art Summer lunches and snacks can be used as a springboard for fostering creativity in kids. Some simple ideas for food art creations include: Using grapes and pretzel sticks to make a tree Making teddy bear face PB&J sandwiches using blueberries or grapes for facial features Creating flowers with thin cucumber sticks, spinach leaves, and fruit Kids will find joy in creating edible masterpieces, turning a blank plate into a unique piece of culinary art! Spice up your summer lunches with these delicious ideas! Get inspired and create tasty meals that your kids will love.
