by Rachel Sumner and Ruth Mitchener
in older children’s needs and wants, and
forgotten that our youngest just want to
play with water or make messy art.

categories with a few examples
the activities that fall within them:
Play: salt dough, rainbow rice,
papier mâché, painting with marbles
Play: touch tub, painting
windows, ice excavations,
ideas for water play
Play: lacing cards,
wallet stuffers, photo book,
playing with ribbons
are many things I like about this
book. First, there’s the “mess
rating for each activity. Really,
it’s a “patience-o-meter” that
the question most parents ask
starting an activity, “How messy
this going to be, and do I have enough
for it?” The book rates the clean-
time and mess factor on a low, medium
high level. I find that very helpful!
activity books like this one are
for first-time parents whose
craft muscles are just starting
be formed. As parents, we might
have to bust a craft out of
closet just like a magician pulls a
out of his hat. This book is also
for parents like me with three (or
kids who might be wrapped up
Third, I love how the activities are broken
up into indoor, outdoor and takeaway
play. While the boundaries are fuzzy for
each of these categories—if I want to be
really brave, I could let my son play with
water inside—the takeaway activities that
allow kids to be curious and engaged in
something while sitting at a table or waiting
somewhere are beyond practical. There are
so many moments we wait with our kids,
especially younger siblings waiting for
their older ones, and now we have a gentle
nudge and some great suggestions to use
during that time to play with our kids.

I think this is a fantastic book. At just about
$10, it’s a necessary part of any parent’s
winter (or, really, any season) survival kit!
Publisher: The Experiment;
www.theexperimentpublishing.com Available through Amazon,
Barnes & Noble and Books-a-Million!
MSRP: approximately $11
Ages: 2-6 years
Kate Schwarz is a full-time mom and wife living in Great Falls,
VA. In addition to being a reader to her three small children,
Kate is a writer, distance runner, Crossfitter and blogger of
raising kids with books at www.katesbookery.blogspot.com.

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