Archive for the ‘Family Times’ Category

Outdoor Toys

Monday, May 17th, 2010

When I look at toys on our suppliers’ websites, their stands at toy fairs and their brochures, it’s always in the back of my mind, “Would my kids play with that?”. I have to stop myself just shopping for my children. I know that all kids are different and have different tastes, but I think that I cover a good selection amongst my four - the Quiet, Booky One; the Noisy, Physical One; the Inquisitive One; and the Nurturing, Caring One. The trouble is that any one of my kids could be all of these in one day!

With that thought, I want to share my selection of toys that any of my kids and their friends will play with. Bearing in mind that the weather has been so kind recently (just turn the temperature up a bit and we’ll be even happier), I thought I would look at outdoor toys. None of these toys is particularly expensive or sophisticated, but I challenge your kids not to enjoy them:

  • Our fabulous Gunther Kite selection - just add wind (never in short supply in Ireland) and you’ll have rosy cheeked laughing kids in no time;
  • Spring Ball set - once they get the hang of this, they’ll be twanging around the garden (great for the beach too);
  • Disk Balance - it’s egg and spoon racing, but not as you know it;
  • Super Torpedo with Whistle - well, it just makes throwing the ball at each other even more fun; and
  • Our cool Gunther Wind up Planes - excellent competition potential!

All these toys are available in our Outdoor Toy category http://tinyurl.com/mimioutdoortoys

Have a look and let me know what you think www.mimitoys.ie

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Compromise, compromise, compromise…

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

An extended weekend with the family playing together (and obviously bickering too) has got me thinking about an issue that we have to address regularly - when a child gets hooked on a particular computer game. For a while recently we had an absent child - he was there in body, but there was no interaction with us or his siblings and all he could think about was when he could get home to play his game.

We talked to our friends and our family. We tried allowing him to play as much as he wanted until he got fed up (that just didn’t happen). We tried restricting it to specific times (that just caused arguments and resulted in his “killing time” until it was allowed). We tried removing it all together (all hell broke loose and life was unpleasant for everyone).

Finally we hit on something that seems to have worked - we talked to him! Myles and I sat down and discussed with our son what would be a suitable compromise. We talked about how he was missing out on family time by playing his games all the time, that his brother and sisters missed him and how there were many more interesting things that he could be doing. So far, so “in one ear and out the other”, but then we asked him what he thought. Together we drew up a contract scheduling out agreed times for gaming. He signed the contract, content that he had been part of the decision making process.

Three weeks in and things are going well. Our son doesn’t feel punished by having his game time restricted yet the rest of the family see more of him. Of course there are still times when he wants to play outside the agreed times, but he backs down more readily in the face of the contract and we in turn are more likely to concede to those extra 5 minutes!

If you have any more tips for getting them away from their consoles, please let me know! www.mimitoys.ie

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Outdoor Ideas For Spring

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

After a lovely weekend of long sunny, mild days I have been thinking about outdoor family activities. Obviously, the moment I started writing about them, the wind picked up and it started to hail, but I refuse to be put off! In my mind, spring has finally arrived and we’ll all feel much better for feeling the breeze in our hair, the sun on our faces…and probably the rain on our backs.

I have put together some ideas for having fun with the kids outside and you’ll find them at www.mimitoys.ie under the “Play Articles” tab. Below I set out a few of my favourites – with a nod to Myles for his prowess at welly throwing.

Nest building

Get the kids to build their own nest outside. You will have lots of materials in your garden you can use, like lengths of dry grass, twigs and lichen. Make your nests in the garden and place them on the ground or in a tree if you have one. Is it sturdy enough to hold some small stones (your ‘eggs’) and would your nest be able to survive a windy day (give your tree a shake!)?

Spring nature trail

Take a walk to your local beauty spot and look out for signs of spring on the ground, in the trees and in the water. Things to look out for include; frogspawn in streams and ponds; butterflies; caterpillars; catkins opening for spring…perhaps you can make a collage of all the wildlife you’ve seen when you get home?

Welly hurling

All you need is some open space and a welly boot. You’ll need to mark a throwing line and then record each competitor’s throw by marking the spot where their boot landed - perhaps use twigs to do this. The aim of the game is simply to throw the boot the furthest.

Bird watching

Spring is breeding time for many birds so it’s a good time to get outside and observe our feathered friends as they get geared up for the new season. You’ll hear lots more birdsong now the days are warmer and some birds will be showing off their plumage and engaging in elaborate courting rituals to attract a mate!

So, go on - dodge the hailstones, lean into the wind and ignore the rain. Summer’s coming!

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Life in the Arctic

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Finally the children are back to school, we are back to work and the world seems almost to be back to normal, but what an interesting few weeks! I don’t know what impact the arctic weather had on your family but it brought us a mixed bag of revelations and inconvenience.

Firstly, it’s hard not to have fun when the world outside is white and no one has to go to work or school. The timing of the big freeze couldn’t have been better and we had fabulous fun perfecting our snowmen and practising our snowball aim. It is so relaxing not being able to go anywhere or do anything constructive outdoors. Once the urge to spring clean the house had passed (it lasted a nanosecond), we all relaxed into relative peace, playing games, reading or watching dvds. It was bliss!

Then came the night of the big, big freeze when our water (like so many other people’s) just didn’t arrive at the taps. The first day was fine, even a novelty, but by day 2 we were all a little peeved at having to use unfrozen rain water from the butts to fill the cistern. By day 3 we were frankly starting to smell a bit so we all trekked to a friend’s house for showers. Day 4 and washing clothes had become an issue, dishes were piling up and we were all fantasising about moving to a warmer country where we would live a less Dickensian existence.

As I write, we have finally thawed enough to have water dribbling from the kitchen tap so civilised living may soon return. If, however, you meet us on the street in the next couple of days, I would advise crossing the road. I promise I won’t be offended.  www.mimitoys.ie

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Children and Pets

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Keeping pets can be a great way of giving kids responsibility, as well as offering new opportunities for play, interaction and learning, but it’s important to choose wisely.

 

Take advantage of any information sources you can find. Talk to friends with animals about their experiences and have a look online or in the library for information on the pet you are considering.

 

You also have to ask yourself is my child ready for a pet? Having a pet requires a lot of commitment. It’s not just about having something to cuddle; there is also the responsibility of feeding, cleaning and, in some cases, exercising another living thing. When considering a pet, take into account that a lot of the looking after will be done by the adults, no matter how determined the children. Try not to get tempted by the idea of a pet without realising that most of the practical stuff - cleaning out cages, taking dogs for walks, etc - will be done by you!

 

That said, having to look after a pet even a little is good life training - it teaches children about responsibility and the importance of good nutrition and cleanliness. If you are sure your child will be willing to play some active role in looking after their new pet in the long term then you may find they pick up some good experience along the way.

 

If you want to read more on children and pets, and the other things to think about before you commit, then see the article I have posted on www.mimitoys.ie/playarticles

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