Welcome October! And Welcome to Tot Explorations, a new series on my blog!
Every Monday, we'll each have a short and sweet post sharing one activity we did with our tots the week before. We'll link to each other, so you can get two activity ideas you might want to try out!
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This week, I wanted to work on my son's sticker time, because applying stickers can be a great motor skill activity for tots. I was looking for fall themed stickers, but had no luck. Then I discovered... WINDOW CLINGS!
Why did I not think about this before? Window clings are like huge, re-usable stickers you can put just about anywhere! Plus, they are always available in seasonal motifs at the dollar store. Regular stickers can be $1-2 for a couple of sheets, and might last my son about 5 minutes.
With the window clings, we stood at the front door so he could see the cars go by (which is one of his favorite things to do anyway). As I helped him apply the window clings, we talked about pumpkins, leaves, and Gobble-gobble the Turkey! Bonus: He learned what a turkey was for the first time and walks around saying "Gobble!" a lot!
And, whenever we want to play with the clings again, they are right there waiting for us!
Have you ever tried this before? What are some variations, or other tot exploration activities I could try?
My daughter has been loving her window clings...thanks so much for sharing this idea! So far I have gotten her two sets and she just loves to put them up on the sliding doors and rearrange them over and over. The first day she even took them in the bathtub with her because she refused to leave them downstairs, haha.
My daughter has been loving her window clings...thanks so much for sharing this idea! So far I have gotten her two sets and she just loves to put them up on the sliding doors and rearrange them over and over. The first day she even took them in the bathtub with her because she refused to leave them downstairs, haha.
I just found this great little series. My son is a bit older (4 in april), but I think he would also have fun with some of these. Last year for Christmas I found a nativity scene as window/wall clings. We used them as our household nativity. Each night he would get a certain number of stars or one of the people to put into the scene and he loved it. What we loved is that he was learning about Christmas. Before going to our usual Christmas Eve festivities, my son was able to put up the angle, guiding star, and baby Jesus. My husband explained each part and why they are so special. Knowing the baby was special, my son gave the cling of the baby Jesus a kiss before we left. It was a great experience and we plan on doing it again for years to come (I bought up more of the same set during the after Christmas sales). I also bought some for other family and friends with small kids.
I like the idea of using them throughout the year. I may have to go look for fall/Thanksgiving clings now. 🙂
I just found this great little series. My son is a bit older (4 in april), but I think he would also have fun with some of these. Last year for Christmas I found a nativity scene as window/wall clings. We used them as our household nativity. Each night he would get a certain number of stars or one of the people to put into the scene and he loved it. What we loved is that he was learning about Christmas. Before going to our usual Christmas Eve festivities, my son was able to put up the angle, guiding star, and baby Jesus. My husband explained each part and why they are so special. Knowing the baby was special, my son gave the cling of the baby Jesus a kiss before we left. It was a great experience and we plan on doing it again for years to come (I bought up more of the same set during the after Christmas sales). I also bought some for other family and friends with small kids.
I like the idea of using them throughout the year. I may have to go look for fall/Thanksgiving clings now. 🙂
And this is why I read mama blogs...brilliant ideas that are so simple!! 🙂 Love this idea, and we will definitely be on the prowl for some cheap window clings. This MIGHT even entertain my son long enough for me to nurse the baby. I'm tired of letting him watch TV as a distraction, and he's not old enough to leave by himself at the table with stickers or crayons. Thanks!!
And this is why I read mama blogs...brilliant ideas that are so simple!! 🙂 Love this idea, and we will definitely be on the prowl for some cheap window clings. This MIGHT even entertain my son long enough for me to nurse the baby. I'm tired of letting him watch TV as a distraction, and he's not old enough to leave by himself at the table with stickers or crayons. Thanks!!
These have always been a big hit with our son and both kids love stickers. We'll be pulling out our fall/Christmas ones soon.
These have always been a big hit with our son and both kids love stickers. We'll be pulling out our fall/Christmas ones soon.
I never even thought of window clings for play! I buy them for every holiday and O'Bear LOVES to decorate the windows. But a learning tool? Awesome!!
I never even thought of window clings for play! I buy them for every holiday and O'Bear LOVES to decorate the windows. But a learning tool? Awesome!!
I love window clings, they are cute, fast, easy and temporary! It's amazing how the simplest things intrigue little ones so much! My girls loved getting window clings at the store and were so excited to come home and put them on the storm door! Actually, they still love doing that at 12 and 15 years old!
I love window clings, they are cute, fast, easy and temporary! It's amazing how the simplest things intrigue little ones so much! My girls loved getting window clings at the store and were so excited to come home and put them on the storm door! Actually, they still love doing that at 12 and 15 years old!
Love the idea! Everything in our house gets covered in stickers. Really have to stay on top of it otherwise they're difficult to get off of wooden items and glass and linoleum floors! I will be checking out the dollar store this week 🙂
Love the idea! Everything in our house gets covered in stickers. Really have to stay on top of it otherwise they're difficult to get off of wooden items and glass and linoleum floors! I will be checking out the dollar store this week 🙂
He is precious! It must have been so much fun watching him apply the stickers and what child doesn't love stickers!
He is precious! It must have been so much fun watching him apply the stickers and what child doesn't love stickers!
DD loves these!! We have Dora ones that came with her table and chairs but they ended up on our windows instead of the table! We also have Christmas and Halloween ones too! I've been meaning to buy a set of Christmas ones that I keep seeing around the holidays in the coupon inserts but I always lose the flyer! LOL
DD loves these!! We have Dora ones that came with her table and chairs but they ended up on our windows instead of the table! We also have Christmas and Halloween ones too! I've been meaning to buy a set of Christmas ones that I keep seeing around the holidays in the coupon inserts but I always lose the flyer! LOL
What a great idea! My son has never gotten to explore stickers yet... but window clings would be perfect for him! The only downside is we don't have any glass doors - but grandma does, and he's over there 3 days a week. 🙂 I may pick some up from the dollar store this week for him to take over with him. Thanks for the idea!
If you look at the clings, some say you can use them on walls without damage as well. I bought a nativity set last year and it was safe for walls. We had it up the entire advent season and they came off with no problem. Then you don't need glass doors, just an open wall.
What a great idea! My son has never gotten to explore stickers yet... but window clings would be perfect for him! The only downside is we don't have any glass doors - but grandma does, and he's over there 3 days a week. 🙂 I may pick some up from the dollar store this week for him to take over with him. Thanks for the idea!
If you look at the clings, some say you can use them on walls without damage as well. I bought a nativity set last year and it was safe for walls. We had it up the entire advent season and they came off with no problem. Then you don't need glass doors, just an open wall.