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9 Genuine Benefits of Coloring
For generations kids have loved coloring. Books, drawings and even the occasional bedroom wall.
Parents have always considered it a creative way to occupy a child’s time. But there are real benefits beyond simple enjoyment for children and a little peace and quiet for parents..
- Coloring helps develop muscles and dexterity in a child’s hands, fingers and wrists and helps them practice holding a writing tool.
- Coloring helps develop hand-eye coordination as the child learns to color “between-the-lines”.
- Coloring helps develop s
kills such as patience and attention to detail.
- Coloring helps build confidence. A child gets a real sense of accomplishment with a completed page.
- Coloring can be calming and/or relaxing to a child because there’s no strict “set-of-rules” to follow.
- Coloring helps develop of a child’s creativity. Drawings and shapes can be colored however the child chooses.
- Coloring helps a child recognize color, hue, line, perspective, shape and form. It also helps a child to see and recognize patterns– a pre-reading and pre-math skill.
- Coloring leads to advanced planning as a child learns to pre-choose colors, combinations and order.
- Coloring can be a social event. It’s an excellent way for kids to interact with a common goal. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for parents to spend time chatting with their child in a fun but peaceful atmosphere.
So go ahead and embrace the crayon… and color with your kids.
5 Fun Rainy Day Activities For Kids
Even when the weather outside is frightful these indoor activities will inspire creativity and fill a Spring afternoon with fun and laughter.
1. Indoor Camp Out
Take the “blanket tent” to the next level with a full indoor campsite complete with a real tent, mock fire, and s’mores.
2. Monster Feet
Put your best foot forward with some cardboard, a Sharpie and a pair of scissors.
3. Frugal Fashion
Gather newspaper, masking tape and scissors and challenge the children to create newspaper outfits.
4. Puppet Theatre & Show
Let creativity shine with a homemade theatre & do-it-yourself sock, paper bag or popsicle stick puppet.
5. Soap Clouds
Put a bar of soap in the microwave and voila– very cool, science fun.
5 Great Ways To Keep The Kids Active This Summer
As parents ourselves we understand that keeping kids entertained during the school break is sometimes a challenge. Check out our list of activities you can do with your kids.
1. Balloon Rockets
Have a blast with a balloon, some string, a straw and tape. Yes, it’s science but it’s fun.
2. Mission Impossible
All you need is some well placed yarn and kids can spend an afternoon building balance, dexterity and patience.
3. Digging for Treasure
A few dollar store jewels buried in a bin full of sand equals hours of fun.
4. Backyard Drive-In
The kids will love building their own cardboard box car and crusin’ to the local drive-in (aka. your backyard)
5. Drop in to an Atomic Fun Center Near You
Two words – “Air Conditioning”. ..But they also offer a ton of fun and active play
Can't Miss Summer Snacks for Kids
After a day of Active Play on an Atomic Indoor Play Structure we know that kids have worked up a pretty hearty appetite. So we’ve listed a few healthy and cool summer snacks to help recharge their energy levels for the next round of play.
Frozen Fruit Kabobs
Skewer strawberries, banana pieces and grapes (or your child’s favorite fruit), drizzle with melted chocolate and freeze. A tasty treat you can feel great about serving.
Smoothie Pops
Pour your favorite fruit smoothie into a popsicle mold and freeze. Less expensive than commercial ice pops and taste so good the kids won’t even notice the “ice cream truck” drive by.
Fruit Salsa
Mix up a selection of your kids favorite fruits and berries and refrigerate. Serve with graham crackers or with healthy cinnamon chips and a dollop of fresh whipped cream. So simple yet tried-and-true.
Frozen Yogurt Covered Strawberry Pops
Place a whole strawberry on the end of a popsicle stick, dip it in your kids favorite yogurt flavor, top with sprinkles for style (or coconut or chocolate bits), freeze and enjoy. Looks great and tastes even better.
Homemade Cherry Lime Slurpee
Blend 1 pound of partially-frozen cherries, 1/4 cup lime juice, 3 tablespoons of honey and 4 cups of ice until the consistency of a slurpee. Sweet, tangy and oh so refreshing.
10 Great Reasons To Play
We’re all about fun at Atomic. Not only do we spend our working days making fun funner. We also play as much as possible during our leisure time. We think there’s lots of great reasons to play and they’re not all just for kids.
Check out these 10 terrific reasons to play. I’ll bet you can you think of many more?
1. Play lays the foundation for literacy. Through play children learn to make and practise new sounds. They try out new vocabulary, on their own or with friends, and exercise their imagination through storytelling.
2. Play is learning. Play nurtures development and fulfils an inborn need to learn. Play takes many forms, from shaking a rattle to peek-a-boo to hide-and-seek. Play can be done by a child alone, with another child, in a group or with an adult.
3. Play encourages adults to communicate with the children in their lives. Adults support play by giving children the opportunity to engage in play, by knowing when not to intervene, and by knowing when to intervene.
4. Play gives children the chance to be spontaneous. You may think your child should be rolling the truck on the ground but that doesn’t mean that truck is not equally useful as a stacking toy.
5. Play gives children choice. Having enough toys or activities to choose from will allow children to express themselves.
6. Play gives children space. To practise physical movement, balance and to test their own limits.
7. Play gives adults the chance to learn how to play again. One of the most challenging parts of play is incorporating yourself in it.
8. Play allows adults to learn their child’s body language. Knowing when you should incorporate yourself in your child’s play is key.
9. Play teaches adults patience and understanding. If you do choose to join in your child’s play make sure that you do not try to take it over and force incorporation of your ultimate learning objectives into their play. Structured adult-led activities have their time and place but remember to allow for time for children to control and decide their own play.
10. Play is fun. Learning to play well, both by themselves and with others, sets children up to be contented and sociable.
