Review–Dr. Craft’s Active Play (TOS Review)

We had the privilege of trying out Active Play! Fun Physical Activities for Young Children by Dr. Craft's Active Play Books.  This book is filled with lots of great physical skill building activities for young children, 52 to be exact.  The book also includes a DVD to show you the activities in action.  The activities range in complexity, as far as set up and implementation.  There are activities for indoor, outdoor or both, which really helps with those rainy day jiggles! 

Many of the activities also have a cognitive spin to them, so in addition to building gross motor skills they are building brain power too! 

Activities are adaptable for ages 6mos through Elementary aged. 

Most activities use common household objects, though some items may need to be purchased if you don’t already own (like a hula hoop).  You could also easily substitute some items, and usually alternative suggestions are given. 

Some of the activities we did are:

Alligator Pit – a balance beam activity, don’t let the alligator get you!

Bubble Wrap Jumping – what kid doesn’t like to jump on bubble wrap??

Sock the Cans – we used bean bags (we don’t have much for socks living in Hawaii).  Knocking down targets.

Hoop Scotch – a simplified version of hop scotch

and Hoop Chase – Chasing Hula Hoops

Some of the activities require a bit more time and preparation than others, but there is a balance of those type of activities with other quicker/easier to implement activities.  I appreciated that!  I don’t always have lots of time to put into something, since I’m trying to balance so many things, and several children (like most homeschooling moms).

This product is great for homeschooling in a family, or in larger groups, including daycare or school settings. 

My children enjoyed many of the activities, and we will continue to use the product!

Here is a video of them doing the Hula Hoop Limbo! They didn’t want to stop!

The book is available for $39.00 plus shipping and handling.