Let Them Play
Free PrintablesGet the Let Them Play Kit to Encourage Unstructured Play and Independence
Get our Let Them Play Kit to encourage kids to do more free and unstructured play. It's a great resource for play groups, neighborhoods, schools, and more.
Get IndependentWhat Is Unstructured Play, and How Does It Look?
The best parenting advice I ever received came from a mom whose son went to toddler music class with mine. She had tried to replace …
ParentingHow to Teach Kids to Solve Their Own Problems
I learned to solve my own problems by attending the School of Hard Knocks. At least that’s what my mom called it. Growing up, I …
Free PrintablesGet the I’m Bored Kit to Keep Your Kids Busy and Entertained
"I'm bored!" As parents, we've all heard it—and probably more than once. Your child is bored, and somehow they've decided it's your responsibility to remedy …
Education & SchoolsThis 6-Year-Old Will Show You How to Make Stop Motion Videos
Imaginary play is awesome. And stop-motion animation can take this kind of world-building activity to the next level. How do I know? Our six-year-old son, …
ParentingI Allow My 6-Year-Old to Play Outside Alone on the River, and It Makes Her Stronger
The Milwaukee River runs through this mom's backyard. Read about what she's learned by allowing her 6-year-old daughter to play outside alone.
ParentingMy Kids Unlocked the Magic of LEGOs by Ditching the Instruction Manual
When I was pregnant with our first daughter, my husband rubbed my belly and whispered, “I can’t wait for the time of playing with LEGOs …
ParentingHow Lawnmower Parenting and Takis Killed My Daughter’s Friendship
Like many moms these days, I could probably be a lot less involved in my kids’ friendships. Have you heard of lawnmower parenting (aka snowplow …
Education & SchoolsThe Surprising Educational Benefits of Dungeons and Dragons
In Texas, a group of kids who scored significantly higher than the rest of their district peers on a statewide test had magical powers to …
Education & Schools250+ Fun Activities For Kids To Do Instead of Homework
I'm an elementary school teacher in Southern California. For 25 years, I have to admit that I was staunchly pro-homework, until one day I had …
Education & SchoolsDaycare’s Helmet Rule Takes Playground Safety to a Whole New Level
If you could go back 50 years, you'd see almost no kids wearing helmets as they zoomed around on bikes. So who knows if, 50 …
Education & SchoolsWhy A No Rules Recess Might Be Just What Your School Needs
A New Zealand school made headlines a few years back when it introduced a No Rules Recess policy. They did away with all the don'ts …
Get the Let Them Play Kit to Encourage Unstructured Play and Independence
Get our Let Them Play Kit to encourage kids to do more free and unstructured play. It's a great resource for play groups, neighborhoods, schools, and more.
What Is Unstructured Play, and How Does It Look?
The best parenting advice I ever received came from a mom whose son went to toddler music class with mine. She had tried to replace …
How to Teach Kids to Solve Their Own Problems
I learned to solve my own problems by attending the School of Hard Knocks. At least that’s what my mom called it. Growing up, I …
Get the I’m Bored Kit to Keep Your Kids Busy and Entertained
"I'm bored!" As parents, we've all heard it—and probably more than once. Your child is bored, and somehow they've decided it's your responsibility to remedy …
This 6-Year-Old Will Show You How to Make Stop Motion Videos
Imaginary play is awesome. And stop-motion animation can take this kind of world-building activity to the next level. How do I know? Our six-year-old son, …
I Allow My 6-Year-Old to Play Outside Alone on the River, and It Makes Her Stronger
The Milwaukee River runs through this mom's backyard. Read about what she's learned by allowing her 6-year-old daughter to play outside alone.
My Kids Unlocked the Magic of LEGOs by Ditching the Instruction Manual
When I was pregnant with our first daughter, my husband rubbed my belly and whispered, “I can’t wait for the time of playing with LEGOs …
How Lawnmower Parenting and Takis Killed My Daughter’s Friendship
Like many moms these days, I could probably be a lot less involved in my kids’ friendships. Have you heard of lawnmower parenting (aka snowplow …
The Surprising Educational Benefits of Dungeons and Dragons
In Texas, a group of kids who scored significantly higher than the rest of their district peers on a statewide test had magical powers to …
250+ Fun Activities For Kids To Do Instead of Homework
I'm an elementary school teacher in Southern California. For 25 years, I have to admit that I was staunchly pro-homework, until one day I had …
Daycare’s Helmet Rule Takes Playground Safety to a Whole New Level
If you could go back 50 years, you'd see almost no kids wearing helmets as they zoomed around on bikes. So who knows if, 50 …
Why A No Rules Recess Might Be Just What Your School Needs
A New Zealand school made headlines a few years back when it introduced a No Rules Recess policy. They did away with all the don'ts …