Christmas 2021 is approaching, and it’s looking a bit more normal than the previous year. Children have been navigating the pandemic like the little superheroes they are, and they deserve a Christmas like we had growing up: surrounded by family, festivities, and fun.

Our experts in everything fun at Jumbaloo Playgrounds have compiled an exciting list of how to spread Christmas cheer with kids. We call it Operation Christmas.

Bake Christmas Cookies for Friends and Family

What better way to start spreading Christmas cheer than Christmas baking? Christmas and baking go together like peanut butter and jelly, candy canes and gingerbread, or marshmallows and hot chocolate! You get the idea. A classic favourite is the Christmas cookie. These festive treats are traditionally sugar cookies cut into fun Christmas shapes like trees and bells, dusted with sprinkles. They’re easy to make and so fun. They’re also great to share with family and friends! Pack up a batch of these in a festive box and gift them to a friend or neighbour. You’re bound to put a smile on someone’s face.

Decorate the House 

Studies show that people who put their Christmas tree up early are happier, so that means there’s no need to wait until December 1st before you start spreading Christmas cheer throughout your home. Your children will be delighted when you pull out those lights and ornaments, and will surely be eager to help decorate. 

Sing Christmas Carols 

Singing Christmas carols is another activity perfect for enjoying that Christmas spirit. There is no other holiday with quite the same array of music. As soon as the department stores start playing our favourite Christmas classics, we know the holiday season is here. Get your kids in the spirit by putting together Christmas karaoke, or impress your neighbours the old fashion way with door-to-door singing (from a safe distance, of course). 

Donate Spare Change 

Make donating spare change to those in need part of your Operation Christmas. There are lots of organizations accepting donations, and demand is incredibly high around the holidays.

Helping those less fortunate is an important life lesson, and there’s no better season than Christmas to teach your kids the importance of generosity. Whether you find an online organization for spare change collection, or donate directly to a homeless shelter, a little bit goes a long way.

Donate Toys 

Another great way to spread cheer and give back is by donating toys. Christmas 2021 might look different for many families, and donating a toy or two could bring holiday delight to someone in your community. It’s also a simple but meaningful gesture to share with your children. Find a toy donation location at your local mall or supermarket.

Organize a Fundraiser or Food Drive 

Take the spirit of giving even further by organizing a fundraiser or a food drive. Again, many families do without. Collecting food donations is a wonderful way to ensure less fortunate families can enjoy nice Christmas meals too. You can also encourage your child to organize a bake sale or fundraiser by themselves to raise money for families in need.

Come Play at Jumbaloo

Now that you and your kids are in the Christmas spirit, our team at Jumbaloo would love to see those beaming smiles at our indoor playground.

We are thrilled to be open and adhering to Covid-19 rules and regulations for your safety.

Book your next play date by giving us a call at 905-785-3990 or visit our online contact page.

With November approaching, you might be hearing frequent talk of moustaches and Movember. “What is Movember?”, you ask. During November, people grow moustaches to raise awareness for men’s health issues such as testicular cancer, prostate cancer, and men’s suicide. 

To take part in Movember, get ready to grow your Movember moustache and donate online at Movember.com. Can’t grow a moustache? There are a number of other ways to show your support on the Movember website.

Movember is a great opportunity to raise awareness and involve the kids as well. Read on to discover a few ways to get your kids involved in Movember. 

Communicate the Significance of Movember

Before you get started on any fun Movember activities, you should explain to your kids the significance of Movember, what it is, and the meaning behind the moustache.

At first, they might be wary of these new moustaches and reluctant about the change (“What’s that fuzzy thing on dad’s face!?”), but once they know the meaning, they will likely appreciate the effort. It can also reinforce the importance of taking care of their health and body. It is never too early to teach about health and the importance of healthy habits and healthy eating.

Movember is an exciting time to get together and learn more about dad. Fathers often feel shuttered out of family activities, but now with that great moustache sprouting, they can feel proud of the example they are setting for their kids. There is a strong link between fatherhood and mental health, and it’s vital that fathers feel like they are involved in their kids’ lives and confident about the effort they put in.

Let’s Get Moustachey

Once your kids are aware of the Movember moustache, chances are they will want one of their own. Unless your four-year-old can magically grow one, you will have to get creative. You can use a washable marker to draw a fun homemade moustache, use their favourite creamy drink (whip cream moustache, anyone?), make moustache bow ties, cut and glue a moustache on a stick, or you can purchase fun clothes and accessories with moustaches on them. Many retailers are aware of the campaign and sell an assortment of Movember-themed items. 

Do not hesitate to go all out and create a Movember costume that your kids will wear with pride as they raise awareness for this vital cause.

Let Them Help With Fundraising 

Now that the kids are equipped with their Movember costumes, it’s time to involve them in some fundraising activities. Communicate the idea of a campaign and the fun things you can do together to raise money for Movember. 

 You could bake some Movember moustache cookies – who doesn’t love cookies? You could create Movember crafts such as Movember mustache kits, T-shirts, headbands, pins, bracelets, and more. Encourage your child to use their imagination and think of fun ways to make money for your campaign. 

Do not forget to take advantage of those adorable moustaches and use photos of your kids donning moustaches to encourage your family and friends to participate.

Jumbaloo Playgrounds

We hope you have enjoyed our recommendations for how to involve your kids in Movember and raise awareness for men’s health. We recognize the importance of this campaign and are very happy to suggest a few ideas for getting kids involved. We would love to see your kids and their Movember moustaches at Jumbaloo Playgrounds during November.

To book your next fun outing, please call us at 905-785-3990 or fill out our online form. We look forward to providing your family with a playdate they will not forget.

Does your child tend to raise a ruckus at home, but then appear to be timid or clam up in social situations?

Many parents express concern when their kids seem to suffer from shyness, often out of fear that they will trail behind in social development. However, while childhood shyness is a frequent concern amongst parents, most psychological studies suggest that it’s also a very common and persistent trait.

The good news is that there are also plenty of strategies available to encourage children to come out of their shells and gain more confidence. In this blog, we’ll review some general tips for parents to help their shy kids become more engaged and confident, as well as some fun kids activities that can help spark their more expressive or creative sides. Keep reading to learn more.

General Tips for Parents With Shy Children

With enough patience and preparation, there are a multitude of ways for parents to help their children learn how to manage social situations and develop stronger connections with their peers. Some of the most effective ways for parents to achieve this include:

Avoiding Intervention

If you’ve noticed that your child struggles to socialize and make friends with other children at a playground or in another social setting, you might feel compelled to step in and help direct them. However, your child will have a difficult time learning how to manage their frustrations and the ability to deal with their current situation, which is an important skill that will encourage them to be more outgoing as they get older.

Being an Active Listener

Children are always more likely to open up and share their experiences with the people they trust the most. As their parents, this will most likely be you.

Therefore, be sure to always be an active listener of your child’s stories, sentences, and other expressions. Over time, this can help them to feel more comfortable with outward self-expression around others.

Preparing Them for New Situations

For shy kids, trying new things can feel nerve-wracking. A great way to help your child warm up to new situations is to talk them through any scenarios beforehand. Consider comparing a new or scary situation to something they have successfully tried (and enjoyed) in the past as a means of calming their nerves and familiarizing them.

Starting Small

Most shy children gradually warm up to social situations when they are exposed to new things one step at a time. Exposing them to too many people and changes at once can feel overwhelming.

Consider using the “factorial approach,” which is a technique where just one or two things at a time are changed or introduced. This can include encouraging socialization with one playmate and then waiting until they are comfortable before introducing any other peers into a playgroup. Be sure to start small, go slowly, and give your child time to adjust to each step.

Activities to Encourage Socialization

There are also many activities that can help spark confidence in shy children and boost their confidence in social spaces. Some of the best places for icebreaker activities include:

Indoor Playgrounds

Indoor playgrounds provide an excellent space for collaborative activities, continued contact, and healthy interaction. As such, they’re a great place for shy kids to experience different situations and feel more comfortable opening up.

Day Camps

Day camps are usually packed with a myriad of fun-filled activities for children with various different personality types, interests, and preferences. Many activities in day camps are designed to further social engagement and encourage kids to problem-solve collaboratively, such as crafts, cooking, drama, swimming, and sports. The continuity of a day camp program is also a great way to make shy kids feel more comfortable exploring new activities and forming friendships.

Outdoor Games

Being indoors with other peers can sometimes feel overwhelming for shy kids, which is why outdoor games are also a great way for them to ease their tension and warm up to others. Backyards or parks are a perfect setting for children to be creative and participate in games that require more personal contact. Various outdoor games can include tag, hide and seek, sports, dance, creative pretend play, and much more.

Schedule Your Next Playdate at Jumbaloo Today!

Our team at Jumbaloo Playgrounds is thrilled to finally be open and ready to host your child’s next big playdate! With a wide range of ways to exercise and have fun, our indoor playground is inclusive, safe, and open for children of all personality types.

To book your next party at Jumbaloo, call us at 905-785-3990 or visit our contact page to fill out our online form. We look forward to hosting your next playdate!

Within the last year and a half, with the COVID-19 pandemic having disrupted most “normal” school routines, the words “back to school” have had a very different meaning. It has been difficult for so many adults and children alike to get excited about being in the classroom, whether in-person or virtual. However, with case counts dropping and vaccinations on the rise, a normal, in-person school year looks like it’s finally within reach.

At Jumbaloo, we believe this is a time to celebrate! Going back to school is always something both parents and children look forward to, and as we near the hopeful-end of this strange and unprecedented time, going back to school is now seen as more exciting than ever; a win, a victory.

This blog will touch on some fun kids activities and back to school tips and tricks to help you and your child get ready to return to a safe classroom. Read on to learn more!

Make Things Fun!

Going back to school is a monumental event that all parents and kids can celebrate! This includes making the preparation for the upcoming school year fun, as well as fitting in some exciting kids activities along the way.

Buying school supplies doesn’t have to be a drag — it can be seen as a super-fun activity for families to do together. Is there a couple of weeks before school starts? Turning this into an anticipated event will get the kids engaged. Make a list of required supplies and then let your child(ren) have fun choosing the items themselves; notebooks, pencils, pens, a new backpack and so much more!

If new school supplies aren’t exciting enough, then surely a new wardrobe will be! The start of a new school year often marks the time for many kids to get some fresh, new duds in time for the changing season. Consider marking a mini-shopping spree on your calendar and stopping to grab lunch at your child’s favourite restaurant.

Encourage Positivity and Excitement

Going back to school after a fun-filled summer can be tough. This is why it’s important to remind children of all the positive and exciting aspects going to school will offer. And, after another round of online learning as a result of the pandemic, children have spent even more time than usual away from all of the fun elements that can be found in a classroom setting.

In the summer, kids can often lose touch with their friends from school. For kids living in Ontario, many of them have seen their friends since April. Wow! Be sure to remind your children of the excitement that comes with reconnecting with friends and, if possible, it might even be a good idea to arrange a few play dates with friends before the long-awaited first day back.

If there’s an extracurricular activity or favourite subject that your child has spent time away from, consider giving them a mini-assignment or an activity that will help them get back into the groove of learning again. This could be an art project, writing a short story or a fun, physical activity.

Create a Summer Memory Book

It’s always sad when summer comes to an end. One of the best ways to help your children gain closure with summer, and get them prepared to go back to school, is to help them create a summertime memory book. This is a great way to encourage your children to get creative and, along the way, allow them to strengthen their writing and processing skills.

Ideas include; printing photos of cherished memories, listing their favourite activities, collaborating with friends and family, painting, and drawing pictures. Then, compile everything into a book for safe-keeping.

Remember, kids… summer will come again!   

Book Your Play Date at Jumbaloo Today!

Why not mark the end of summer with a fun-filled day at our indoor playground! At Jumbaloo, we are thrilled to have our doors open once again and are here to provide your children with a safe, secure space to play, laugh and learn.

To book your next play date or party at Jumbaloo, call us at 905-785-3990 or visit our booking link.

We look forward to hosting your child’s next playtime adventure before they head back to school and into the classroom!

Toronto is a great place to live, offering unique family-friendly experiences and several places to visit. Whether you’re just visiting with family or you’re one of the lucky ones who live here, you will find plenty of things to do. 

Having fun is important for your little ones. It develops their essential physical and social skills. No matter what your children are interested in, there are so many activities in Toronto. There are a lot of places that offer fun and adventure. Toronto also offers interactive and educational places where you can bring your children. 

If you’re on a family day out in Toronto exploring the best it has to offer, we have prepared a list for you. Below you will find the best activities in Toronto that your kids will love.

Indoor Playgrounds

Let’s be honest- kids love these! It’s simply the best gift you could give to your child. A place to run freely, laugh and play away while interacting with other kids of the same age is a guaranteed way to make your child happy. A public indoor playground is usually equipped with arcade machines, trampolines, toys and other equipment that your child will love. 

Zoos/Aquariums

What better way to teach your children about the surrounding world if not by visiting a zoo or an aquarium? It is the perfect way to get them acquainted with the animal world and awaken their curiosity towards life. Let them explore the surrounding world by interacting with exotic animals as you teach them important lessons about the world such as compassion. 

Museums 

Museum activities can be very fun, and they can teach your curious children about the world and provide memorable learning experiences like no other activity or place can. Some of the best child-friendly museums you will find in Toronto are Montgomery’s Inn, Colborne Lodge, Bata Shoe Museum, and others. 

Arcades 

Toronto is brimming with great arcades bringing you the best of fun activities for kids. Arcades put at your disposal a multitude of games that kids with all types of interests will find thrilling. More than that, they will help your child burn energy before bedtime. Arcades also make for perfect birthday parties that no child will ever forget. 

Toronto Islands

You can’t miss the opportunity to take your children to the famous Toronto Island Park that contains great trails, beaches and children’s amusement rides. Spend some quality time exploring the nature trails with your family and discover amazing views of the islands. For more adrenaline-pumping fun activities for kids, though, the Centre Island, which also happens to be the most famous section, puts the Centreville Amusement Park at your disposal with different rides and even a zoo. 

Contact Us Today

Jumbaloo is your go-to place for fun and adventure in Toronto, welcoming children between the ages of 2 and 12. You can throw amazing birthday parties there for your little ones. This indoor playground offers great arcade games, diverse equipment and slides and an eating area with delicious snacks and healthy food. There’s no other place like it. 

Jumbaloo takes safety measures very seriously ensuring your children are safe at all times. They have staff and supervisors present all over the perimeter and they require parental supervision as well. 

If you want to book a birthday party for your little one, you can call 905-785-3990 or contact them on the following email [email protected].

Experts agree that playtime is an essential cornerstone for proper childhood development. However, in today’s tech-saturated world, many experts fear that children aren’t getting enough free playtime. 

Couple this with a global pandemic that has encouraged further social isolation and we have an unfortunate decline in kids having proper opportunities to play, grow, and learn.

Read on as we explain exactly what playtime is and summarize fun activities for kids of different ages as well as their benefits. 

Happy reading!

What is Playtime?

Playtime is one of the most vital ways for children to learn about the world around them. It is also the best way to encourage physical exercise, creative thinking, and proper psychological development in children. An unregulated, unstructured opportunity to play allows children to nurture their relationships with both others and themselves.

In order for children to develop the right skill sets to optimize their development, playtime is essential. According to the American Journal of Pediatrics, playtime “is a singular opportunity to promote the social-emotional, cognitive, language and self-regulation skills that build executive function and a prosocial brain.”

The Best Activities for Different Ages

Successful learning is best fostered by catering to a child’s inclination to play. As children engage with others and learn more about the world around them, different play activities can help them gain vital skills as they reach each developmental milestone.

Some examples of activities to try with children at different ages include:

Infants

From birth to six months old, babies are learning about the world around them by taking in all of their sights, sounds, textures, colours, and angles. They’re using their bodies to explore, learning to participate in social interactions and how to elicit responses from both people and objects.

Some ways to encourage playful learning in small infants includes imitating your baby’s coos and babbles, showing them interesting objects to spark their attention (such as colourful toys, rattles, stuffed animals, and dolls or stacking toys), or placing them in different positions so that they can view things from different angles.

From the age of 7 to 12 months, after making sure your baby has a safe environment to explore, you can teach them that actions have effects (for example, by allowing them to play with and pick up toys when they fall). You can play peek-a-boo with them as well.

1–3 Years Old

As toddlers start to develop more advanced participation and language skills, they’ll benefit tremendously from playful learning. In fact, it is so important that experts recommend that unstructured playtime is a focal point of early childhood education.

Fun kids activities during early childhood can include parent-supervised playdates with other children of a similar age, make-believe or pretend play, sing-along songs and different movements to help them explore the body (such as jumping, standing on one leg, and games like Simon Says).

Playing with simpler toys at this age is also a great way to encourage a child’s creative thinking skills such as through blocks, empty containers, and puzzles—not smartphones or complicated gadgets!

4–6 Years Old

School-aged children learn how to develop friendships, plan, attach language to ideas and concepts, and create desired effects with objects and people. It’s also at this age that children begin to develop critical motor skills and proper hand-eye coordination, making any hands-on activities a must.

Some ideas for kids activities at this age can include reading and telling stories, allowing them the space to act out pretend scenes and roles, providing them with time to socialize and interact with friends, providing opportunities to sing and dance, and encouraging a variety of safe movements (such as skipping, hopping, swinging, and climbing).

Toys that will help foster their development may include puzzles, construction toys with interlocking pieces (such as Lego), props for pretend games, art supplies, or simple musical instruments.

The Benefits of Playtime

Playtime is one of the most critical vehicles for childhood growth. Some of the ways children can develop through playtime include:

Increased motor skills and concentration

Physical activity during playtime is crucial to the development of children’s fine motor skills and ability to concentrate. Through play, children can learn to wield better control of objects as well as practice better coordination of their body movements and smaller movements between the hands and fingers.

To support gross motor development—this includes control of the arms, legs, hands, and trunk—children can develop their skills through physical activities such as running, jumping, throwing, skipping, tossing balls, and much more.

To support fine motor skill development—this includes control of the hands, feet, fingers, and toes—hands-on activities such as cut-and-paste projects, play dough, blocks, puzzles, and colouring are all ideal.

Social skills development

Through playtime, children develop skills that will have an enormous effect on their overall social development. Playtime teaches children the right skills needed to establish and maintain positive interactions with other people, which will be critical for making and sustaining friendships and relationships as they get older.

Interactions made during playtime also help children to develop empathy as different situations can help them respond to others’ emotions and learn to put themselves in others’ shoes to recognize their feelings.

Teamwork Skills

Unstructured playtime allows children to interact with their peers, making it vital for teaching them how to make friendships, resolve conflicts, and work in teams. For example, playground games teach children how to sort themselves into teams, take turns, set out rules, and then experience the benefits of following them.

Learning proper teamwork skills is essential when it comes to early childhood development. Children learn a lot of virtues in these environments such as patience, tolerance, respect for others, and the ability to compromise.

Jumbaloo Awaits Your Next Playdate!

We hope you’ve enjoyed this article on all of the various activities for kids at home. 

If at, anytime, you want to drive your kids to an indoor playground area or are looking to book a party room for your little one’s upcoming event, contact our team at Jumbaloo. We are adhering to strict Covid-19 rules and regulations for your safety and that of our team. 

Call us today at 905-785-3990 or visit our online contact page.

From all of us at Jumbaloo: Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon!

As summer approaches and you’re asking yourself how to keep your kids busy during all that free time, you might be considering sending them to a summer camp. 

Sending your kids to a summer camp can be a lifesaver if you aren’t able to have them at home all day or if you understand that a social setting is the best environment for them to release their energy.

Below, we break down why summer camp is important for your children, as a whole, and what are its benefits. 

Read on!

The Importance of Summer Camps

When it comes to summer camps for kids, it’s honestly a place where they can enjoy themselves and look back at it with fondness. 

They create bonds with new friends that are different from their school friends and get to enjoy each other in an atmosphere that is all play and no work. In the meantime, they still learn to be kind, caring, fair, and trustworthy.

Going to summer day- or away camps help children learn a sense of living in a community that is very different from an academic one or one they may have if they are part of a religious group. It helps children become a bit more independent, resourceful, and even resilient. 

Not only do kids get to play and have fun at a summer camp, but they also remain intellectually engaged as it allows for children to keep learning, staying interactive, and enjoying themselves at the same time. 

Benefits of the Summer Camp Experience

Much like school, summer camp is a learning experience for children. It helps their developmental skills and opens their eyes to new experiences, ways of thinking, and helps them meet new people outside of an academic setting. 

Learning through play has great developmental benefits and that is why summer camps are so important for your children. Moreover, having physical playtimes like running and climbing helps support muscle strength and endurance.

Teamwork 

At summer camp, kids can learn about teamwork by working in groups on different activities, enhance their social skills, and learn to be a little more self-sufficient. 

Kids get to participate in group activities where they have to learn to properly communicate with other children and camp counselors, as well as do some problem-solving. Teamwork is a valuable lesson that we all should learn, and summer camp is the perfect setting for it. It teaches children that sometimes the best way to do something is in a group and not alone.

Independence and Social Skills

A shy child might shine in this environment because they can be their uninhibited selves. They can become more independent and trust themselves and their inner voice. Summer camp can also boost your children’s self-esteem as they become more and more self-reliant. 

Friendships

Camp is a safe environment where parents don’t have to worry about leaving their child for a certain time. Children get to make ever-lasting friendships with each other and learn to give help when needed by others. Not only that, but kids also feel a sense of purpose and it is a fun reason to get up in the morning, instead of feeling sluggish and bored. 

By the time their school year starts again, they feel energized and ready to learn. 

It’s Playtime at Jumbaloo!

If you are searching online for a summer camp in Ontario, then look no further! 

Our team, at Jumbaloo Playgrounds, takes pride in offering a fun and loving environment to children of all ages, starting from infants. You can trust us to make your kids look forward to going to a summer camp again! 

If you want to book play hours with us today or this summer, contact us at 905-785-3990 or visit our contact page for more information.

Each year on April 22, Earth Day is celebrated by millions of people worldwide. Started by former US Senator Gaylord Nelson in response to a devastating oil spill, it’s since become an annual event to raise awareness of both the dangers of pollution and the initiatives we can follow to help make the Earth a healthier planet.

This year’s motto for Earth Day is Restore Our Planet. In response to the threats that climate change has posed, this theme calls us to focus on the processes, actions and innovations that can help us restore our planet to a cleaner state.

Let’s review why Earth Day is a great time to teach your kids about the importance of taking care of the environment. We’ll also go over some of our favourite Earth Day-themed activities and crafts that are sure to be fun and informative for the whole family.

Explaining Earth Day to Your Kids

Earth Day is the perfect time to teach your kids about the value of the environment and the important role that each of us play in keeping it healthy and clean. Our children are our future — and if anyone is going to make a difference in fighting the likes of climate change for future generations, it’s them!

While teaching our children about the planet can be fun and interesting, it’s also an important act of civility. When kids learn about the importance of the environment at a younger age, they’ll be more likely to adopt sustainable habits and follow greener initiatives in the years to come.

Teaching children about environmental care is also a great way to help them sharpen their critical thinking skills, develop greater problem-solving skills and nurture an interest in nature. If your child has a favourite animal or plant, teaching them what Earth Day represents is a great way to remind them of the greater role environmental care plays in keeping our habitats intact.

Earth Day Activities for Kids

Encouraging your kids to participate in eco-friendly activities is a great way to enforce their interest in keeping the world healthy. Some activities that are great for raising awareness may include:

• Planting a tree in the backyard
• Letting your child help with identifying and sorting recyclable items
• Going on frequent walks or bike rides to reduce carbon emissions
• Encouraging them to better manage their energy use (eg. turning off the lights, turning off the water while brushing teeth, turning off devices when they’re not in use)
• Teaching them how to grow herbs and plants
• Feeding outdoor wildlife or building a birdhouse

Earth Day Crafts For Kids

Another great way to get kids excited about Earth Day is to plan some fun at-home crafts to do with the family. Here are just a few of our favourite ideas:

Earth Cookies

These tasty Earth-shaped cookies are super fun, simple and inexpensive to make! You’ll just need:

• 2 packages of sugar cookie mix
• 2 eggs
• 2 sticks of butter
• Blue food colouring
• Green food colouring

Prepare the sugar cookie batter per the instructions on the packaging and be sure to keep both portions in separate bowls. Add the blue food colouring to one batch and add the green food colouring to the other batch.

Next, take two spoonfuls of each coloured batter, combine them and roll them so that they form a ball in your hands. Lastly, place them on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes. Let them cool and they’ll be good to eat!

Flower Crowns/Wreaths

Flower crowns are a great way to foster your child’s appreciation for one of nature’s finest offerings! Whether you decide to use real or pretend flowers, crown or wreath-making is a great activity that will encourage your child to get creative with pattern making and designing. To put these together, you’ll need:

• Flowers and leaves (either collected from the garden or cut-out from your chosen medium)
• Construction paper
• Double-sided tape
• Scissors
• Stapler

First, prepare the base of your craft by cutting a long strip from the construction paper. If you’re making a flower crown, you’ll want to make sure you measure your child’s head size (it may require two strips of paper combined). We recommend making your strip at least 10 cm thick.

Next, create an adhesive surface by placing the double-sided tape onto each strip. Let your child take care of the sticking! Staple any objects for extra security.

Compost Bin Decorations

When we picture our compost bins, we don’t typically imagine them as being a particularly eye-catching accessory. Instead of thinking of them as ordinary or even ugly, consider decorating them as a way of making waste disposal a little more exciting!

While we don’t suggest using permanent paint solutions or anything that may deface your compost bin (as your city may not like this), purchasing fun stickers or gluing some colourful decorations to your bin is a great alternative.

Come Play at Jumbaloo

We hope you’ve enjoyed our tips on how to make this Earth Day a fun, informative and productive learning experience for your kids this year! Over the past year, we’ve learned that there are so many fun activities for families to do at home — and we’ve been happy to share our ideas with all of our dedicated customers.

Our team at Jumbaloo Playgrounds is thrilled to have our doors open again and welcome you to our indoor playground space. We are following all hygiene protocols in response to COVID-19 to ensure our space is fully safe for all.

To book your next playdate at Jumbaloo, call us at 905-785-3990 or fill out our contact form. We can’t wait to see you soon!

LEGO is universally known as one of the most popular children’s activities in modern day history. Originating from a company in Denmark, LEGO consists of building blocks that can be used to build a wide variation of different structures and sets.

LEGO blocks are also widely celebrated for being beneficial for children’s development. They foster a wide range of abilities, including increased motor skills, spatial skills, creative thinking and enhanced problem-solving.

In this blog, we’ll review exactly what LEGO is and touch on some of the key benefits of introducing these colourful blocks into your children’s play regime. Lastly, we’ll go over some similar toys that can offer similar benefits.

What is LEGO?

LEGO is a special type of building toy created by The Lego Group, a company headquartered in Denmark. In Danish, the name LEGO translates to “play well”.

LEGO blocks are colourful plastic interlocking bricks. They can be joined together by small studs located on the top and congruent holes located on the bottom (known as the “brick-and-knob connection”).

LEGO can be purchased in a myriad of different shapes, colours and sizes, as well as in a wide variation of different themes and concepts. For example, LEGO versions of cars, robots, buildings and even popular licenced franchises (such as Star Wars, Harry Potter and Batman) can be found in retail stores worldwide.

What are the benefits of LEGO blocks for children?

Playing with LEGO blocks can help small children achieve several key milestones that are necessary for fundamental learning. Some of the most important ones include:

Increased Motor Skills

LEGO blocks offer a perfect opportunity for children to develop better dexterity and improve their fine motor skills. As different levels of pressure are involved with picking up and assembling the blocks, playing with LEGO is an excellent way for children to build stronger muscles in their fingers and hands. This is especially helpful when teaching them to hold and control a pencil to write or draw, to hold utensils while eating and other similar manual tasks.

Since LEGO blocks are relatively small and require attention for detail and precision, they’re also great for helping build your child’s hand-eye coordination. 

Creativity

LEGO blocks are perfect for sparking creativity and experimentation in children. After all, the different sizes, shapes and variations of blocks offer endless opportunities for creative children to build works of art!

LEGO can be purchased with instruction manuals and themed sets included, but it’s also common to purchase loose blocks. This option is great for encouraging children to come up with their own structures and allowing them to use their imagination while building. This may include allowing them to experiment with different colours, shapes, stories and concepts.

Problem-Solving Skills

While LEGO can help foster your child’s creative side, it can also help them develop more effective problem-solving skills. Building LEGO structures doesn’t just require creativity — it also requires strong planning skills, in addition to lateral thinking, endurance and patience.

By exercising their problem-solving skills with LEGO blocks, children can explore different building strategies. This helps teach them that there can be more than one way to solve a problem, or how to tackle a project from multiple angles to find the best approach.

Other brain-boosting toys and games

Interested in looking for some other toys that can help your kids strengthen their brain development?

Here are some other popular alternatives that offer similar benefits:

Qwirkle

Qwirkle is a game that requires players to match colours and shapes. It’s also an excellent game to help children exercise their strategic thinking skills and apply tactical maneuvers.

Points are earned when players build rows and columns of items that share a common colour or shape. Extra points are earned when a tile is placed and that touches other pieces that share matching attributes.

K’Nex

K’Nex is another highly popular toy that, like LEGO, features interlocking pieces that can be used to build structures. However, unlike LEGO, the system is a little bit different — each piece comes in the shape of a rod, which can be interlocked on either end.

Like LEGO, K’Nex can also be found in different building sets for different age groups.

Magna-Tiles Magnetic Blocks

Magna-Tiles Magnetic Blocks have seen an increase in popularity in recent years. They usually come in the form of colourful shapes that have the ability to connect through magnetic attraction. They can be used to create a wide variation of shapes and designs, both simple and elaborate.

Magnetic blocks are great in that they are suitable for children of all ages — and, given their larger shape, they are entirely safe for younger kids to use.

Contact Jumbaloo Playgrounds

We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog and have learned a bit more about how using LEGO blocks (and other alternative toys) can be a great way to help boost your child’s brain and critical areas of their thinking.

At Jumbaloo Playgrounds, we still have our doors closed — but are excited to open them again once we can ensure safety for visitors of all ages. To start planning your next exciting event at our indoor playground, call us at 905-785-3990 or contact us by filling out our online form. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

Here at Jumbaloo, we know that COVID-19 has hit every family differently. Parents are stressed, kids are confused, and you might wonder how to celebrate milestones like birthdays in a safe way. 

Birthdays for kids under 12 are especially important. Having your child’s friends come to the house for a fun and sugar-filled birthday party is a memorable occasion.

Things might look a bit different now, but we’ve put together a handy guide with tips on how you can make your child’s birthday party memorable even in these uncertain and difficult times.

Unique Party Ideas

Planning a children’s birthday party can be stressful even when not faced with a global pandemic. Aside from seasonal obstacles like a thunderstorm during a pool party or a snowstorm affecting travel to and from your home, there are other considerations like making or catering the cake, meals, and how many children will be in attendance. 

Here are a few unique kids party ideas to brainstorm with:

• Plan an outdoor barbecue. Include delicacies like hot dogs, burgers, and a few easy salads. For fun, drag the sprinklers out or prepare a few inflatable pools to cool off. An outdoor gathering makes it easy to social distance while enjoying quality time with your children and their friends. 
• Family camping trip. This activity can be extended year-round, depending on your family’s appetite for adventure. You can swap the birthday cake for s’mores and have an easy supper of spider dogs. 
• Skating is a great outdoor activity if your child’s birthday falls during the wintertime. Check out your city’s recreation website page for details on rink times or find a local spot in your neighborhood for free. The kids will work up a fair appetite, though, so be sure to have plenty of healthy(ish) snacks prepared before cake and present time. Most rinks will have a recreation room or space for rent, so transportation is made easier. 

Finally, try out an indoor playground. Indoor playgrounds like Jumbaloo provide kids with a stimulating environment that allows them to exercise, utilize their motor skills, their team-building skills, and best of all – have a blast. Jumbaloo is still offering party packages at competitive prices during these uncertain times, so your child can still enjoy time with their family and friends during their birthday.

Planning Tips

When planning a kid’s party, have the details solidified beforehand to ensure the celebrations go as smoothly as possible. Of course, with kids, you’ll want to expect some hiccups! Here are a few party-planning tips we think are the most important:

• Create and stick to your budget. Party planning is full of surprise costs. Be sure to research and allocate funds for cake costs, gifts, meals and decorations for the party with an extra ‘surprise’ fund. 
• Make a list of who is invited and send invitations at least 2-3 weeks in advance, and follow up with parents at least a week before the event. It is especially important to have a headcount during COVID-19. If your area has restrictions on who can be in your home or at a venue, be sure to abide by those rules.
• Make a list of all food, snacks, beverages, and be sure to purchase ahead of time. Of course, at Jumbaloo, our base level party packages offer 2 extra-large pizzas with snack add-on options, so that step is taken care of!

Safety Tips

• Be sure there are enough adults to supervise the children in attendance. 
• If masks are required, ensure every child is wearing one properly and encourage proper hand washing and the use of sanitizers regularly.
• Ensure each child eats off of their own plate with no sharing.
• Ensure you’re aware of any allergies or dietary restrictions before food is served.

Call the party planning experts at Jumbaloo today!

The Mississauga based team at Jumbaloo is dedicated to keeping our indoor playground safe for your children to enjoy. We have implemented strict cleaning procedures that have allowed us to remain open at reduced capacity during these unprecedented times. We can assist you in planning a safe and enjoyable birthday party for your child.

Call us at (905) 785-3990 or fill out our convenient contact form for more information!