Archive for the ‘Fun’ Category

Adventures

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Boy Playing Tarzan

Playing Tarzan?

The other day I visited a friend who’s son had just turned five. As I couldn’t make it to his birthday party, she started telling me about his high expectations for birthday presents. His list of preferences included a Phoenix who cries magic tears, a magic wand, a cape that makes you invisible, and a silver knife. He found it incomprehensible that his mother could not go to a local store and buy these things for his birthday. How hard can it be to find a Phoenix in Reykjavik?! Last year, this same boy asked for a real life Yoda and a real light saber for Christmas.

Some people might be shocked by why parents would let a 5 year old boy watch Star Wars and Harry Potter. I wouldn’t completely disagree, but I watched Star Wars as a kid and got out of that experience with my brain and innocent youth intact (at least I hope so). But if you think about it, adventures can be a great source of inspiration for kids. What I like most about them is that they are able to activate the imagination which often makes kids explore life even further. Not to mention that I think kids who like adventure movies and stories are more likely to be physically active and play outdoors than others. You can’t really play Harry Potter or Luke Skywalker without moving, now can you?

It’s really easy for parents to get involved. If you buy a light saber for your kid, why don’t you grab one for yourself while your at it? I’m sure you’ve wondered what it would be like to be a jedi, and this is your chance to find out! You don’t even have to buy a “real” light saber. Go hiking in a nearby forrest and I’m sure you’ll find some branches that have fallen off trees that you can use instead. It’s better for the environment and you can also use the branch as a sword while playing a knight, a magic wand, or make it into a bow.

Just remember to keep an open mind ’cause it will make you more likely to find hidden treasures where you never would have thought to find them.

So go on. Be adventurous!

Thorunn

photo credit: J Roosens

Posted in Creative Play, Fun, Parents, Toys, Uncategorized | No Comments »

Dancing Like Nobody’s Watching

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Dancing Like Nobody‘s Watching

Balinese Girls DancingI love to dance. I mean, who doesn‘t? It‘s such a great way of releasing energy but getting filled with new energy. It‘s a way of expressing emotions and getting filled with emotions. It‘s an art form and exercise at the same time.

It always amazes me how shy some people are to dance in front of others or even in groups of people who are all dancing and having fun. Why is it ok to run in front of other people, but not to dance in front of them? Running and dancing are both a type of movement. Is it because people are afraid they might be „bad“ dancers? What defines a bad dancer? Someone who can‘t hold a beat? Someone who has a hard time controlling his limbs? Let‘s face it, most people are amateur dancers with no professional training of any kind. So we have a good excuse to be „bad“ at it. And why do we have to dance to someone elses beat anyway? Just dance to your own beat and the hell with the rest of them. It‘s your body, your movement and your flow, so don‘t let anyone else tell you what to do with it!

Dancing the Stress Away
Sometimes when my son and I come home after a long day at school or work, we blast the stereo and start busting the groove like there is no tomorrow. It‘s a great way of releasing the afternoon tension and gives you energy to finish the few hours that are left of the day with a smile. I suggest you try it today when you get home from work. And let your kids participate. They might learn some old school dance steps and who knows, you might learn something from them. Plus, it‘s fun and won‘t cost you a dime. Just make sure you let go of your inhibitions and do it like nobody‘s watching. It just makes it more fun. Don‘t you agree?

Thorunn

photo credit: ^riza^

Posted in Creative Play, Fun, Parents, Society | No Comments »

Christmas via Treehugger

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

One of my favorite green websites/blog Treehugger has put up a great Christmas gift guide. They have divided the guide into categories to fit different personalities and interests so it’s easy to find something that fits your style. Many have begun to buy Christmas gifts so now is the perfect opportunity go see what’s available in green products. Not only is a green Christmas gift safer for the environment but it also lasts longer.
I’ve noticed more and more people deciding to make their own gifts this year and you don’t necessarily need to use all new material for your DIY gifts. Go to a thrift shop and use old clothes or products for their material. Re-using is the new Re-cycling!

Posted in Fun, Green design | No Comments »

Why not?

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Around a week and a half ago, when I was sitting with my son Adel where he was showing me his newest drawings, he asked me if he could have an exhibition – an art exhibition. The first answer that came to my mind was: „Sorry son, but that is a crazy idea. Maybe some other time“. But before I managed to get the words out of my mouth I thought again and said to myself: „Why not now?“. It´s really not that complicated. My son does all the artwork and installations and all I have to do is invite people (talk), clean the house, and make some tea (all of which I do several times a week anyway). So I smiled to him and said: „That´s a great idea, let´s do it!“.

So the following days went to planning the event. My son used all his spare time making new artwork and hung each finished piece on the wall as he went on making new creations. When he had piled up a sufficient amount of artwork, I asked him how he wanted the exhibition to carry out. Then I posted an event on Facebook where I invited selected friends and family members. I also stressed that according to the artist´s orders, none of the artwork would be for sale, but that he would be more than happy to discuss his work, how it came about and what it meant to him. The few family members who do not use Facebook I called by phone and invited to come. Needless to say, everyone was super excited and honored to be invited to Adel´s first art exhibition.

For Adel, it has been like waiting for Christmas. Almost every night before he goes to bed he tells me how happy and excited he is to be having the exhibition and he´s putting even more ambition into his work now. It doesn´t take much effort to make a 5 year old believe in his worth and talent! Plus it´s a great venue to get together with friends and family, which in our busy society happens too rarely.

So my advice: Whatever crazy idea your kids come up with, think about all the reasons why you should say yes before you start thinking about the reasons for saying no. Then give your answer. Who knows, you might surprise yourself (and your kids)! ;)

Thorunn

Photo credit: Adel Kathir, 5 years old

Posted in Fun, Parents, Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Colouring Outside of The Box

Friday, October 23rd, 2009

together, once by Greencolander.Recently I read a few pages in a book called The Future of Play Theory, and there was one sentence that caught my attention. It said that an object a child plays with should not limit its imagination but that the imagination should direct how a child plays with the object.

When I came home from work yesterday, my son was lying on the living room floor with a big blank sheet of paper, and a lot of different types of coloured pens and pencils. He was drawing a picture, or more like a whole new world of creation he had pulled from his imagination. When I asked him to tell me the story behind his creation, his face lid up and he told me a long story about what was what, who did what, and why. This is not the first time my son uses these huge (well, they´re only A1 in size, but for a 5 year old that is quite big!) sheets of paper as a canvas for his imagination and sometimes it can keep him occupied for a couple of hours. Sometimes he even takes a break from it for a few days and than comes back later to add the final touches. He has also been known to cut his creations into smaller pieces and glue them back together to change the scenarios.

Blank sheets of paper give a child freedom for to explore, to let the mind wander free, and to create. In my opinion, the bigger the sheet the better, (and less chance of the child continuing its creation on your nice living room floor). A lot of colored pens and pencils, small child proof scissors and glue give added possibilities, but are not necessary. A sheet of paper and one pencil or pen can work wonders for young creative minds.

If you want to use the colouring books your child already owns, why not encourage him/her to colour outside the lines? Let him experience the great liberating feeling of not being stuck within a predecided form and see how he reacts when the power shifts from the creator of the drawing in the colouring book to the child. The child could even use its imagination to draw new pictures or forms from the existing ones and thereby giving the picture its own creative touch. Why not sit down with your child and colour outside the lines yourself? It is a surprisingly good feeling and after a few times of re-programming our behavior, it will feel like the only right thing to do!

Have fun! :)

What are your thoughts? Got any good tips on creative play?

Thorunn

Photo credit: Greencolander

Posted in Creative Play, Fun, Parents | 3 Comments »

Making memories that lead to greatness

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

I was lucky enough, growing up, to have parents that allowed me to experiment and develop my ideas even when it was not convenient for them, loud and messy. I am very thankful for their ability to almost never say no and nag instead when I left a trail of tools and paint or a full backyard of costumes and toys.

That foundation is the main reason I started to wonder about toys and play in today’s environment after having my own kids. What is the sole purpose of play? Is it for fun or development? My answer would be no to both. In my opinion the sole purpose of play should be self exploration of worth and talent (done by developing and having funJ).

What are your most important memories? Why? When did you find your life passion? How? I am terrified that today’s toy market is leading children into copy-play with little if any self exploration. Play should help them to believe in their greatness. It should lead them to their passion. It should teach them that they have a unique talent for life. They should tell their own stories.

I am not a perfect parent and a pretty bad one if you judge it by the common standards. But I honestly believe that it is more important for a child to be trusted, unafraid and open than to always behave as society wants it to. We are only a small part off our children’s life. They should learn to lead it them selves instead following old paths off rules and roles that no one has proven to be “the ideal human”.
Let’s make those life changing memories with our kids! Even if we have to live in a messy house with drawings on the wall. I just bought a lot of colorful chalk J
Hulda

Posted in Creative Play, Fun, Parents | 2 Comments »