Outdoor Play Archives – The Salty Mamas

Fun Ways to Play with a Water Table

July 15, 2022 by Salty Christine

One of our absolutely favorite summer toys for kids is a water table. A water table is perfect for kids of almost any age. But is a water table worth it if you can only use it in the summer? Definitely! Plus, there are some super fun ways to play … Read More

Open Letters to the People That Make Us Salty

March 19, 2018March 12, 2018 by Salty Christine

#openletters #stupidpeople #stuffstupidpeoplesay #theysaidwhat #parenting #momlife

In my mind, I’m the kind of assertive woman that speaks her mind. I’m a good role model for my children and will always stand up for myself, especially in front of them. I ain’t afraid of nobody and will tell them what’s up with all the confidence in the world. In reality? I’m just a really tired lady that thinks of witty comebacks about 45 minutes too late. So instead of telling all of these people what I really think of them in the moment – I’ll just leave these open letters here, and dream of the day they become viral and all the people that need to read them get the message.

4 Myths About Play-Based Preschool

June 14, 2018October 31, 2017 by Salty Christine

Considering a play-based education for your kids, but worried they won't learn anything? Check out these four myths about play based preschool! #playbasedpreschool #reggio #reggioemilio #reggiopreschool #outdoorplay #reggioinspired #reggiokids #reggiochildren #reggioemiliainspired #reggioactivities #reggiopreschool #reggiotime #reggiotoddlers #preschool #preschooler #preschoollife #toddlerlife #preschoolmom #preschoolactivities

When I first sent my son to preschool, he went to a traditional preschool – the kind I remember, and you probably do too! A carpet with letters and spots for each kid to sit. Charts on the wall showing the alphabet, calendar, weather. Super cute crafts for every holiday, with a Pinterest perfect sample of what they would be making that day. But he wasn’t learning his letters. He wasn’t great at sitting. He wasn’t participating in the crafts. So we moved him over to a play-based preschool. And he LOVED it. But everyone else? Well, they thought we were crazy. And I learned there are a LOT of myths about play based education.

Being the delightfully stubborn person I am, I threw myself into learning as much as I could about the educational style that was benefitting my son so very much. Over the next two years, and as I went on to enroll both my daughters in the school, I’ve come up against a lot of concerns and criticisms from people that, frankly, just didn’t know what they were talking about. So if you’re curious about play-based preschool, or wondering why in the world your friend is sending her kids to one, here are some of the myths you may have heard – and hopefully some truths to help clear things up.

9 Ways to Play with Rocks Outside

February 4, 2021October 13, 2017 by Salty Christine

Looking for new ways to get outside with your toddlers or preschoolers? May we present to you the simple bag of rocks- a $5 investment with LOTS of options for kids. Find inspiration in this list of ways to play with rocks outside.

Entertaining a toddler all day can be ridiculously hard work. My kids have thousands of dollars worth of games and toys and arts and crafts and I am not above allowing some indulgent screen time. But the fact is, at the end of the day, toddlers love dirt and sticks and rocks. Yeah, rocks.

Which – don’t get me wrong – I love. I mean, what’s not to love? They’re super cheap (also known as FREE at your nearest outside location), easy to handle, you don’t have to worry about getting them dirty, and you can just leave them in the backyard!

I love them SO much, I want to pass that love of rocks on to you! Sometimes the best toys are the simplest ones, and we just know your kids will agree. Check out our list of nine fun ways for toddlers to play with rocks.