A few weeks ago, I was invited to participate in a Activity in a Bag swap. Each mom makes 25 sets of an assigned activity. We are all getting together in a few weeks and will each take home 25 different activities for our preschoolers. Each activity is contained in a gallon size plastic bag. The activities are self directed so preschoolers can get out an activity and do it on their own when mom is busy cooking, taking a shower or home schooling older siblings. The activities come from a book entitled Preschool Activities in a Bag which was written by two home schooling moms. Each of the 30 activities in the book has clear directions and can be assembled for around a $1 per bag.
I was assigned a beading activity. Each bag has 100 beads, two 24 inch lanyard strings and one pipe cleaner. I test ran the activity bag with Emily today while I had a doctor's appointment. She actually spent 45 minutes playing with it. I can't wait to have 24 different activity bags to use. I plan on putting aside 6-7 of the bags for an upcoming airplane trip and keeping 2-3 bags in the car for restaurants.
The group of moms I am swapping with is each making two extra bags. One extra set is going to a family whose son is undergoing chemo treatments. The family has two preschoolers who will get to play with their new activity bags during big brother's doctor appointments and hospital visits. The second extra set is going to Denver's Children's Hospital. My mother volunteers in the play room there. When I told her about the activity bags, she thought it was a great idea for patients who are in isolation. I am going to divide the activities up into some canvas bags that volunteers can bring to patients' rooms.
We are doing our swap in a few weeks. I'll let you know how Emily likes her new activities.
