I See You!
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The best things in life really are free. And when it comes to playthings, you can't beat a cardboard box. Lenore Grubinger, a developmental specialist from Northampton, Massachusetts, suggests turning one into a tunnel for a pint-size version of full-body peekaboo (an activity that lets your baby practice leaving and coming back to you, a skill he'll need for walking later on).
In addition to boxes, your house is full of playthings and other objects that get kids moving. Consider these fun ways to play with some of them:
- Draw a chalk racetrack on the sidewalk or driveway so your speed racer can zip around it on her trike or other ride-on.
- Stage a rocking horse rodeo complete with a cowboy hat and a parent announcer.
- Create a backyard obstacle course for a toy lawn mower or set one up in the living room for a play vacuum cleaner.
- Play a rousing round of bubble catch by giving your little one a small net and blowing bubbles for her to capture.
How to play
To make one, first find a large box and be sure there aren't any staples poking out. Cut off at least three of the flaps on opposite ends of the box, leaving 3 or so inches on the right and left sides to help support the structure, as shown above.
Decorate it if you like (we used a little colored electrical tape). Now put your child's favorite toy inside to get her attention and let her practice scooting in and out of it.F
For added fun: Tape a fabric curtain over one or both ends of the box so your little crawler can really make a grand entrance.
