Independent Play: Quiet Boxes

Winter is here in full force, and it's brutal!  Temperatures have been below freezing for a solid couple of weeks now.  After two weeks in (comparatively) warm Texas, Utah feels like the arctic tundra.  The cold temperatures and nasty air quality mean that we have been spending a lot of time entertaining ourselves indoors. 

I ran out of ideas this week and decided to put together plastic tubs of activities that would encourage independent play.  Here are some items that would be great to keep your preschooler busy during these short (and looooong) winter days:

1. Match it Game

2. Lace and Trace Game

3. Woodland Connectagons

4. Mighty Mind

5. Big Book Of Big Machines

Great Gift Guide For 3-5 year old

a) wooden bead kit {$24.95)/ b) pattern blocks and boards {$19.99}/ c) camera {$44.95}/ d) hand bells {$34.99}/ e) feel and find kit {$29.95}/ f) sneaky, snacky squirrel game {$16.00}/ g) cash register {$26.41}

     I had a little panic attack this weekend when I realized how close we are getting to the holidays! Yikes, I have not been prepping like I usually do.. I threw this little gift guide together for the rough age group of 3-5 years old. I am trying to think outside the box this year for hazels gifts, and here are some of our top favorites.