Being Mary Poppins …

Do you remember Mary Poppins’ carpet bag?

She pulled wonderful things out of that bag; the most intriguing objects! Of course, magic was involved. Every child would love a visitor with a magic bag.
Right?

When I’m going to visit my grands, I channel my inner “Mary Poppins”. I love taking a few small things to pull out and produce fun, creativity, and memories.

Let me help you “up” your Mary Poppins game.

I can’t promise magic, but smiles, giggles are a given.

I fly to visit so space is limited, but I’d sacrifice personal attire any day (and I do) for happy/surprised “littles”. I may not dress my best out of town, but I travel with “magic” in my bag!

I’ve even had my carryon checked at security for some of my magic stash! True Story!! Sidewalk chalk … who knew!! Also, homemade candy. They ran a drug wand around it🤦🏻‍♀️️.

(My daughter and I are convinced we fit the drug dealer profile!! I get checked almost every trip and, usually, for my “MP” contents! It adds a little excitement and humor!! On the way home, I never get checked cause I left it all behind! My daughter’s gotten checked for sidewalk chalk too!)

Join the “Mary Poppins Club”… add a little excitement to life!

“Carpet Bag” Magic …

1. Ice Rescue

Freeze items for kids to uncover. I have a small ziplock with a few small things to freeze. You can gather a few things from around the house where you visit, if you don’t want to pack them. Toys, kitchen things, office supplies, etc. will do. Anything that is age appropriate. Put them in a container with water and freeze overnight.

When ready to play, take them outside, place in a tray or tub. Give the child warm water in a squirt bottle, some salt to sprinkle on and any sort of chipping objects. My grand has used his child’s tool set to help remove the ice, freeing the objects. They love this project! I’ve done it over and over!!

2. From Months old+ … use Jello!

If the “littles” are too young for the ice project above, use jello! With parents’ permission, of course. I mixed up jello and put objects/little toys into the liquid, then refrigerated it till the next day. They may be hesitant at first, but help them discover the new texture and remove all the objects. Of course, a few tastes of the jello will happen. This is an attention keeper. I did this out on my deck on top of a beach towel and had a small swimming pool with water ready for our next play stop. This kept us from producing a sugary, sticky mess😉.

3. Water Balloons or Squirt toys.

Always a hit! Set up targets, play catch, or roll them to each other, down slides, etc.

Guess what? I just discovered refillable water balloons …. Say WHAT??

I have some ordered, so I can’t give a proper review, but the reviews online are good!

4. Playdoh Kits

My grands love these!!! I make a new one almost every time I visit! Look them up on Pinterest. I’ve made construction, space, robots, Christmas tree, nativity, beach, penguins and, this year, a garden kit. (Plus some I can’t remember.) You can make them as unique as you are and also cater to the “little’s” likes.

Click HERE for more info on Playdoh Kits.

Some vendors sell them on Etsy, if you’d rather buy them!

5. Paint with Water

Paint with Water books have been around as long as I can remember. Kids still love them! They are easy to stow away in a suitcase and even young kids can take part. The Dollar Tree often has them, but so does Amazon! Hint: I use Q-Tips instead of paint brushes, especially for younger preschoolers! I also place a paper towel underneath the sheet.

6. Scratch Pictures

These are best done outside because of the layer they are scratching off. I put them on a cookie sheet and use the deck table or deck surface. Here are a few options …

7. Coloring Sheets with No Mess

These packs provide markers that ONLY color on the paper! Really!! It’s a great for budding artists and a wonderful option to crayons. Markers are just more vibrant than crayons! I order them from Amazon and try to keep a small stash at home. You can buy the markers and blank paper seperate.

8. Paint Color Dots

So, you want to paint with your preschooler, but are afraid of an out-of-control mess. These paint markers are a hit. Supervise young ones, but again, I put them on a tray with a paper towel underneath. It’s a fresh experience for crayon users and seems to inspire. Make sure the lids are on tight when done: they won’t last forever.

9. New Book

My “littles” and parents always welcome a new book. Reading to children is such a magnificent gift for both of you. You never know what conversations a book will produce or how your grands will respond. Many times you’ll f discover a few thoughts you didn’t know they were thinking! A great time to snuggle and enter worlds unknown!

10. Punching balloons/balloons

These are old-fashioned as the hills, but my grands never seem to tire of a new punching balloon!! I’ve given them over and over, even sent them in cards. The Dollar Tree sells them. I keep a few around, always!

11. Glow sticks

If old enough, please ask parents, these make nighttime fun! If the sun stays up after bedtime, use a dark room, closet, basement, or build a tent and have some glow fun! Kids love them, they are consumable and don’t fill a toy box with cheap toys. (Same with art projects) Yet, provide hours of fun.

12. Flashlights

The ideas are endless with a flashlight: read a book by its light, turn on some music and have a flashlight dance, make wall shapes with hands, put colored tissue paper over the end to change colors, etc. Kids will help you discover many many ways to play with them.

13. Paper Plates

Search the internet for paper plate projects … there are a million different types. They are easy to pack and inexpensive as well. Yet, they stimulate a lot of creativity.

Sometimes, I pack a new project for each day, if there will be lots of downtime, like vacation. Other times, just a few things.

This last trip, the Garden Playdoh Kit occupied the boys every day and some days several times. Try new things. You’ll discover what your unique “littles” love!

Play always stimulates creativity and gives tons of opportunities to engage. Engagement makes memories!

A new board book kept my 6-month-old grand, Indie, engaged for at least 15 minutes at a time. She started trying to turn the pages! Deacon, nearly 7-years-old, and Justice her 3-year-old brother engage with anything I pull out of “my bag”! They are accustomed to a little “magic” Zee Zee brings!