Adventure Beyond the App: Adding Outdoor Play
We just received an iPad for Christmas, and I am blown away with how many educational apps and games there are for children. It has become a useful tool for learning in my household. Mr J has been making little forts throughout the house and taking selfies within them that just make me smile when they show up in my iCloud.
Three of the apps we have been enjoying feature The Adventures of Napkin Man. You can download them FREE from the App Store: Penguin-A-Go-Go Treasure or All Say Hello
Each of the three e-books open with a tale of a child facing an emotional challenge. As in the television series, pre-school teacher Mister Anthony (of Murdoch Mysteries fame) frames the experience and he also acts as the narrator in the e-books telling the story of how Napkin Man provided help and coping strategies to someone with a similar experience.
What we love about it is they are designed to be played either by the child on their own or as a co-viewing experience where parents can narrate, the e-books features enable young readers to help Napkin Man and his friends work through the issues and emotions featured in each tale. This is great for independent learning, or busy parents who need to grab a quick shower.
Why these apps stand apart from others because they are highly interactive and intuitive, allowing the child to interact directly with Napkin Man through a series of activities, songs and games.
Adventures Beyond the App: Adding Outdoor Play
In my mind, with iPad use, also comes a need for more outdoor, active play. I took a few themes out of the apps, and used them to make an enjoyable afternoon in the backyard.
Sharing Treasure Hunt
Equipment Needed: Coins (we used chocolate loonies aka “gold dubloons” from the Dollarstore)
Arrgh matey! Pirates away. In advance, hide coins around your backyard or neighbourhood. Work together to find each treasure, taller people look in taller places, little people look in lower to the ground places. Once you find one coin, you must let your partner find one. (This took a little practice, as you can see from our video.) Celebrate in delight in each one you can find!
Up, Up and Away
Equipment Needed: Swing or just a little imagination
Just like in Say Hello, we can move our bodies to stimulate flight. Grab your hang glider and zip around objects in your way. Watch out for the dog! Don’t forget to turn at that tree! Everyone playing gets a chance to be the leader. For extra fun, launch yourself belly first into a swing and take flight.
Hop, Hop, Penguin
Equipment Needed: Sidewalk chalk
Draw in island on your street (or colour parts of snow with a little water & food dye) and practice hopping like a penguin from one to the other, just like in Penguin A Go Go! What other ways can we try hopping – one foot? two feet? left foot? right foot? How far can you jump?
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Disclosure: I am part of The Adventures of Napkin Man campaign and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
a passionate recreation coordinator by day, crazy farm mama of two by night. i live outdoors: growing my own food, camping and hiking with my border collie with two active kids in tow. when I’m not writing, I’m experimenting with recipes, and crafts – or anything else that might keep the monkeys entertained.
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