Why are the same toys more interesting in a different place?

I recently published two posts about our trip to the Ocean Explorium.  I just have one more thing to say about our trip.  I thought it was hysterical that all three kids (C, R, and their friend, A) kept revisiting the play room.   
What brought them to the play room?

This sink/water table kept them busy for a while, a long while.  They did not want to leave the water table.

They also loved this puppet theater:

I thought it was funny that they wanted to spend so much time in this play area when there were marine animals to look at and touch in the other room.  We have water at home, right?  AND, we have the same exact puppets at home too and the puppets are never touched, ever.  I actually thought about giving them away.  We don't have a puppet theater, so maybe that was the attraction.  I guess I should make one.  It looks to me like you just cut a hole in a box and decorate it.  I think I can do that, maybe.

Child's Play

Recently, someone asked me if my children are always engaged in active learning.


I definitely understand how someone might read a blog and think that the activities on a person's blog go on all day, every day.


Well, the structured activities that I do with my children probably only last for a few minutes each day.

Most of their day (outside of school) consists of play, and this is the way it should be, of course.

The Best Toys Were Never Meant to be Toys

What does this look like to you?

A few months ago, I purchased something that came in a box with this packaging. I put the packaging aside to be recycled without a thought. C, however, noticed it and decided it was the coolest toy ever! He has been playing with it nonstop since that day.

Recently, I was in Starbucks and noticed the cup holders on the counter and decided it would be the perfect addition to his packaging playset.
C has used his imagination to turn this packaging into forts, mountains, mazes, and battlefields.

Boxes, bubble wrap, tape, string, sticks....it's true, the best toys were never meant to be playthings!