Bobbi Conner, host of public radio’s “The Parent’s Journal”, has put together an accessible masterpiece for kid and family fun. “Unplugged Play” offers 710 Games and Activities for kids aged 12 months to 10 years, and their families. Some are as easy as can be, requiring not much more than imagination and a smile. Others require the fun of gathering, collecting, recycling, organizing, making a mess and cleaning it up. None are expensive. They are old, new and made up. Some were submitted by friends, fans and others researched by teams of players (kids & parents).

The subtitle, “No Batteries. No Plugs. Pure Fun.” grabbed us. Play is SO plugged in these days, but it doesn’t have to be. The unplugged play world triggers imagination, creative thinking, problem solving, independence (sometimes), resourcefulness, teamwork (often) and much satisfaction. The book is full of clever parenting tips including “What to do When Your Child Loses” the “10-Minute Cleanup Rule” and how to turn “NO” into “YES”. Bring back childhood and bring back creative play. Get your own copy of this book! And, http://www.parentsjournal.com is a cool website.

We, the folks who make our own hula hoops (click here), make our own pirate ships from milk cartons and a straw (click here) and encourage kids to make their own instruments (click here), wholeheartedly endorse “Unplugged Play”. The book belongs in everyone’s home, open to a new page each day. It belongs in day cares, elementary schools, camps, scouts and everywhere that play should be.

Tags: bobbi conner, books, the parent's journal, unplugged play