Dora the Explorer backpack turned toddler's workbag {busy bag}

Ah, which little 2 or 3 year old doesn't want to be just like Dora the Explorer? Well, I haven't met many! And my 3 year old girl certainly doesn't fit in that category!

She was thrilled to receive Dora the Explorer backpack for a gift! She carries it around where ever she goes and always put some of her stuff in and take it out!

This is wonderful gift but also very convenient bag for little ones. And mommy loves it too!

What i like about this backpack is that it’s not too big for toddlers, it’s soft (made of plush) and it holds well. And, it can be washed like any other plush toy – on low temperature.

What my little girl loves about this backpack is: It’s Dora’s backpack! Well, that first! Than, after that, she loves that it has attached map and a little maze is painted on it (you can see it on the picture). She turned it into her own little magical backpack and puts her treasures inside. It’s like a little magic box, only not a box but a bag! :)

My 3 year old girl really loves her backpack. She brings it where ever she goes. Always changing what she’ll bring along but there are couple items that she always carry around like her mini baby doll and few mini cats. :)

Creating a Learning Opportunity with Dora the Explorer's Backpack! 

Turning Dora's backpack to toddler's workbox! Well, ok! Workbag!

And here is what we’ve got in our workbag:

- books: Dora’s Sweet Adventure: A Scratch & Sniff Board Book, Baby Animals!  and Dora’s Lunch Box
- memory cards
- counting cards 1-10 with Dora the Explorer counters
- Dora the Explorer write and wipe activity book
- Dora’s dominos (printed and laminated)
- 2 puzzles (printed and laminated)

Have one of these at home? Does your little one likes it? What goes inside? What kinds of treasures?

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Toddler playtime - Or is it chore? Fun with socks!

We had some work done today with girl's room. One of the things I decided to turn into playtime (and a chore she's not even aware of working out! ;) is organizing her socks.

First I asked from her to find and match pairs:

Then I've showed her how to make them flat and roll them. I did one, she did the rest:

3rd step was to put rolled pair of socks into an empty toilet paper roll:

And finally, place all the rolls filled with socks to a shoe box:

She did great! And wasn't even bored with it! ;) So, we worked on matching, sorting, rolling (fine motor skills) and patience!

For more ideas how to use toilet paper rolls for home organization, arts and crafts, visit How to Reuse Paper Rolls?

Note: This post is re-published from 2nd blog which I'm closing down as soon as all interesting bits and pieces are moved here since I don't have time to keep 2 similar blogs updated.

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DIY Toys - Ride Around Playmat

Today, I've finished a little city playmat I've created with piece of cardboard covered with green paper and some tape over the edges. I've used some letter shapes from makelearningfun.com for roads. And we added our wooden blocks for garage and buildings. :)

Here is the pictures of how it turned out:

Oh yes, those pom-poms are really snow and she's using mini snow plough to move them away from the road ;)

Note: This post is re-published from 2nd blog which I'm closing down as soon as all interesting bits and pieces are moved here since I don't have time to keep 2 similar blogs updated.

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Toddler's Picture Diary

You know how it's really hard to get your kids to share what happened when you were not around? Like, when ever you ask them: "What has happened in kindergarten today?", you get an answer: "Nothing!". Well, after much of tougth how to get some feedback from my little 3,5 year old girl, I've decided to start with her a picture diary.

Idea is really simple and all you need is blank notebook and crayons.

We started with conversation: "This is your new diary. I would like you ti add each day a picture of the event, thing that made you happy and after you draw it, you'll tell me what's on the picture and I'll write it down for you." So, she draw this (I know picture quality is bad... I'll explain bellow):

Left side of the picture presents "Night" and left side presents "Day". Bellow the picture is following description (translation from Croatian): "Today in kindergarten we played day-night. When teacher said night we would crouch, and when she said day we would stand up straight. At day time sun shines, at night is dark."

Not bad for a feedback and a little glimpse of the activities she enjoys in the kindergarten! :)

Note: This post is re-published from 2nd blog which I'm closing down as soon as all interesting bits and pieces are moved here since I don't have time to keep 2 similar blogs updated.

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WE MOVED TO:

Best Toys for Toddlers

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