Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in cincinnati, OH

Exploring Your World with Your Little One (with no jet-lag!)

by Amy Mumper

June 29, 2009

Now more than ever it becomes important to make your own home a bunch of fun for the kids.  There's more talk about a stay-cation and so on, so how can you spice things up around your place?  Pick a place to "visit" vicariously through both books and websites.  For instance, do you have an ideal vacation destination you'd like to "virtually visit" this summer?  Or, would your kids go ga-ga for pretending to visit out of town grandparents?  Either way, pick a spot and capitalize on that city's or state's characteristics.  Let's say, you've chosen Hawaii.  Gather books, maps and globes and talk about how you'll get there.  Maybe the couch is  your airplane...  Then, think about creating the Hawaiian environment in one of your rooms - perhaps the one with the most light (or ‘sun').  Then, visit Cappell's to get some fun trinkets to set the stage - leis, luau cups and paper  plates.  Pick out some cookbooks or research Hawaiian specialties on the internet.  From there, create your family's menu for your Hawaiian day.  Make non-alcoholic fruity drinks, get a real pineapple and carve it (or put your drink in it!)  Continue getting ready for your "getaway" by creating  a mural for each of the walls in your Hawaiian room.  Find some representative pictures of Hawaii and try to replicate them to set the scene.  (Ever scene the science fair project on making a volcano erupt?  Very cool... wasn't it Peter Brady who tried this way back when - or am I just OLD?)  Finally, invite some family members or friends to join in your fun - sharing your planned luau, dancing and of course your scrumptious menu!   If you've no family in town, plan a call with far away loved ones and let them join you on the journey... virtually.

Tried any fun virtual vacations?  What did you do?

Best Children's Books Adapted for the Screen

by Amy Mumper

May 26, 2009

As you know, I'm a HUGE booklover!  And, my mantra regarding movies made from books is simply, "The books are always better!"  The character development and subtle subplots are rarely recognizable in the screenplay adaptation, if they are there at all. 

But, when it comes to children's books, there are some books that come out on top.  It's as if moviemakers feel for us as parents and do their darnedest to maintain the integrity of the book for the film.

May I simply suggest a guideline?  Allow your child to fully enjoy the literature BEFORE seeing the movie.  Film is so entrancing and can bring visuals to a book like nothing else.  Wouldn't you agree, though, that visualizing a book - its characters and scenery in all their glory - in your mind truly complements imagination and is ESSENTIAL to reading comprehension?  Read the book aloud together first, using the movie as an incentive, if you need to.  Compare the book to the movie when you see it, talking about similarities and differences and what aspects were better in each medium.  Ok, ok.  Dismount from the soapbox.  Here's my list:

5.   Nim's Island: Wow! The movie was amazing. Good family fun.

4.   Harry Potter: My daughter and I just recently began the mesmerizing series and have finished book one and seen the movie. STUNNING!!! A great job bringing the book to life and keeping the integrity of the book. I hope the rest are as good!

3.  Jumanji:  Actually, a simple story book by Chris Van Allsburg, made into big time action movie with Robin Williams... two of my favorites.  If you enjoy it, the sequel, Zathura is an equally intriguing book, hopefully the movie is as well.

2.  Charlotte's Web:  A timeless classic in print and this movie is rated G.  What a relief.

1.  The Wizard of Oz:  Yes, it is a book.  And wouldn't you know it?  This is the exception to my rule:  I think the movie is better, actually.  But, at least get the book from the library and have it lying around.  It's the principle of the things.  Thanks.

Preschoolers Like to "Work" Too: Jobs Around the House for the Little One

by Amy Mumper

May 10, 2009

Are you like me?  Have you had a bazillion events going on at your house recently?  I feel like I have cleaned and organized and organized and cleaned!  So, inevitably, I have had to do a lot of this while the Littles say "Mommy, will you toss with me?" or "Hey, Mom, look at this!"  UGH! 

I've decided to try something over the summer.  (I always set goals for the summer; I'm hoping you'll hold me to this!)  With the help of Fly Lady, and my friend who reminded how awesome Fly Lady is, I've decided to have weekly jobs for the kids. 

I have Littles ages 7, 5 and 3.  They all LOVE spray bottles and water.  I think they can each learn to spray the front and back doors for fingerprints.  (Don't worry I plan to oversee this to "teach" them the best way to do things...)  They can also learn to dust with a Swiffer duster and possibly Pledge wipes.  I'm going to get the "greenest", healthiest products (and  I'll teach them to wash they're hands when they're done - then I won't have to worry that there being some crazy chemical waiting to get in their systems at any time!)  I also think vacuuming is not too much to ask of the 7 year old (maybe even the 5 year old, but I didn't get the Dyson I wanted for Mother's Day and I have the world's heaviest vacuum!)  With proper guidance, wouldn't  they also be able to swish the toilet?  Even without toilet bowl cleaner - it would buy me some time, right?

Sadly, I rarely actually get down on my hands and knees and clean my floor.  But, giving each of the boys a sponge and showing them how to squeeze out the sponge to avoid excess water... it could be fun for all, right?  Right!

I'm also going to institute (and stick to) giving allowance this summer.  Research says that the allowance doesn't have to - in fact, should not be -  tied to the completion of chores.   I'm going to go with it and tie consequences of another sort to the completion (or not) of chores. 

What do you think?  Should kids be ‘paid' allowance, only if they complete their chores?

Best spots for indoor play on this winter day

by Amy Mumper

January 20, 2009

Have you been enjoying this crazy, freezing cold weather? Maybe you (or your Littles) have gotten cabin fever already? Here are a few spots that get my vote for best spots for indoor play on this Cincinnati winter day (As is true of most places, be sure to call ahead and check on local school closings or inservice days. Our playgroup went to one of these places last week and the woman said  Read more...

What's in Your Dress-Up Bin?

by Amy Mumper

October 12, 2008

This is such a great topic and Id love input on what's in everybody's dress-up box! We could find some great ideas, Im sure! If youre like me, you look at that box occasionally and think, Whew! This stuff could really stand to be organized or sorted or displayed somehow! But, it mostly sits there just waiting for imagination to bring it to life. It's really magical how children can use  Read more...

Cincy Princess for a Day

by Amy Mumper

October 08, 2008

Princess for a day, you say? Her Highness will be right at home in Cincy! Like I always say to anyone who will listen no experience is complete without beginning and ending with books. Must be the teacher background Have you met Fancy Nancy ? She might give your little dresser-upper a royal run for her money. Savvy Source can get you started with book reviews. Stock up with  Read more...

Book Nooks for Tots

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

A self declared bookworm and former elementary school teacher, this mama's got you covered when it comes to book nooks for your little folks! Topping the list in Cincy HAS to be Joseph Beth Booksellers in the Rookwood Pavilion in Norwood! They actually have a free preschool story time 3 times a week (MWF)! Go anytime and entice The Littles into reading after theyve had their fill of the  Read more...

The Littlest Picasso

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

Art is such a rich form of expression, especially for little ones that are still learning words to put with their world, experiences and emotions. No wonder you want to know about city resources to enhance your child's natural sense of curiosity. Various mediums abound take your pick! Ceramics your bag? Try mymadpotter.com for some QT and creativity! How about 2D mediums? Try Gymboree  Read more...

The Budding Art Critic

by Amy Mumper

October 06, 2008

My friend Kari and I recently proved that kids are indeed art critics! And you know what else? They REALLY enjoy it! Your Little can gain an appreciation of any type of art. First, visit the art museum or get books to find an interesting subset of art (Sculpture, photography, impressionism, etc). Then, stock up at the library and learn what you can by checking out the web. Allow your  Read more...