How Wee Learn

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Sticky Jewellery for Pretend Play!

by 130 Comments

I am excited to partner with Wikki Stix today to bring you this sponsored post about Unplug to Play and an epic giveaway!

When asked if I would like to share a pretend play idea to bring some attention to National Unplug to Play day, my short answer was … “YES!”

My longer answer was … “YES! This is right up my alley! Not only that, it is right up the alley of the parents caregivers who read my blog! We are all about unplugging to play. Well, we aren’t all screen free. I mean, at least my family is not screen free, but we are very mindful of how screens can creep into a lifestyle …. and on and on and on”

But great news, Wikki Stix still said I can share my pretend play idea! Gotta love those Wikki Stix people.

So, my not-completely-screen-free-but-mindful-of-screens friends, want to join me on March 5th and spend the day unplugged, playing?

And I get to make it even MORE special because I get to give away a Wikki Stix Unplug to Play Kit! WooHoo! I love when I get to give you things! (Be sure to check out the giveaway at the bottom of this post)

Now for my pretend play idea …

No big drum roll needed for this one, in fact, at first I thought it was TOO simple to share on the blog. But then I realized simple is really what this blog is all about. It is not about fancy ideas that take forever to set up and kids only use for a moment or two. This is a place where the ideas are easy, and they are tried out on real life kids (mine!) and pass the test.

Let me tell you, this one definitely passed the test with my little Norah (who is 3) … and might have even passed the test with her 9 year old brother who was playing along, but he would not want me to share that little tidbit, I imagine.

Okay then, drumroll please …

Right, I said we weren’t doing the drumroll thing. Ahem, I bring you, Sticky Jewellery for Baby dolls!

I am going to venture a guess that ALL of us have at least one plastic baby doll in the house. This baby doll doesn’t need to be entirely plastic – just limbs and ideally head as well.

Now all you are going to need for this pretend play idea is a bunch of Wikki Stix (a TON come in the Unplug to Play Kit) and that plastic baby doll.

Show your little one how to twist two Wikki Stix together to make pretty twisted bands, then wrap these around babies arms as bracelets. They stick perfectly making it nice and easy for little hands. And that twisting is fabulous for building hand strength for future writing!

Shape some flowers, spirals, balls, you name it, and add them to your bracelets.

Next, you can make baby a crown, headband, or – if you are super creative – even a hat!

When I am playing with my little ones, I always love to find a way to actually love what I am doing. I am a creative person (hence the blog and 300 posts and all) so I love crafting things like this! I worked beside Norah, creating fun little things for her to add to her baby. We created a little shop, with Norah twisting and sticking, and Mama making some flowers and crowns and other pretty things.

Depending on the age of your little ones, they could create an actual little store and pretend to sell their creations to their various dollies.

I tell you, my friend, simple ideas always win in the end.

And now I get to give you the chance to win one of these Unplug to Play Kits as well! To enter to win, simply leave a comment below.  You could say, “Hey!”, or “Pick me!”, or “I’m going to Unplug on March 5th!”, or “I love chickens as much as you do!” … anything goes.

Thank you to Wikki Stix for sponsoring this post and providing the giveaway! 

Good luck!

xo

Sarah

You might also like:

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Comments

  13. Junko says

    Love your simple, yet creative ideas that allow for the imagination of my little one to expand it into yet another fun activity!

    Reply

  22. Kayla says

    My son is obsessed with imaginary play and building things, which the Wikki Stix would wonderfully contribute to. Even if we don’t win, we now know these exist! Thank you so much!

    Reply

  24. Marlene K. Zerbe says

    I LOVE USING WIKKI STIX WITH ALL AGES OF STUDENTS AND THEY DO TOO. WE GOT THE INDIVVIDUAL PACKS FOR EVERYONE TO KEEP IN THEIR OT ZIPLOC DURING COVID. tHEY LOVE WRITING ON CEMENT WALLS (PERFECT VERTICAL TACTILE PAPER!) OR NY WALL PLUS THE OLDER ONES CAN CREATE 3-d ITEMS. I HAD A FIRST GRADER LAST YEAR TEACH ME HOW TO SCAN THE CODE ON THE DOT-TODOT FOR MORE IDEAS! SUGGEST A PERFECT TOOL!

    PLEASE PICK ME – i’M TESTING A LOT MORE STUDENTS & EVERYONE IS QUALIFYING AND OUR BUDGET IS ALREADY STOPPED WHEN I NEVER GOT MY FALL ITEMS SO IVE BEEN PURCHASING INDIVIDUAL PLAYDOH, SAND PUTTY, ETC.

    Wikki Stix even got students to work on an OT zoom!

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      Thank you for entering Marlene! I love how you are using Wikki Stix with your students. You are such an inspiration, going above and beyond to reach your students. Good luck!

      Reply

  34. Theresa says

    My mom used to sell vintage and antique jewelry, so my lo (at the time) was always given pieces that couldn’t be sold. She had so much fun making signs and setting up shop to “sell” the jewelry to us. I love the idea of making dolly jewelry with wiki stix. My newest lo currently uses pipe cleaners to make jewelry.

    Reply

  44. Debbie Serrano says

    I LOVE Wikki Sticks! My oldest 2 were so creative with them. They were used up and I need more for my 4 yr old.

    Reply

  45. Dianne Krizmanich says

    I would love to win these Wikki Sticks! My granddaughter is 3 and she would love all the activities- especially making jewelry for her dolls. She is never without one since she was a little baby herself. I will be with her on the 5th and we will make National day of Unplugging a special day!

    Reply

  49. Kiki Klun says

    We love wikki stix! This is a great idea! After a rough patch in life (lots of family illness and emergencies), we need an unplugged reset. We’ve had more screen time than desirable around here, but hopefully everyone can just stay healthy so we can get back to normal life!

    Reply

  50. Blueberry says

    Who ever thought of unplug day to play instead had the best idea! imagine alI those happy children that going without electronics even for a day is not so bad after all.
    Btw I love your craft ideas. I save them up for my grand children.

    Reply

  52. Rhonda Haggan says

    I love your blog, and we LOVE Wikki Stix! My daughter and I used to make little figures and leave them around in our town for people to find. Then when she grew up I have a set to my grandson. He decided to make a pair of glasses for his 8 month old brother. He looked so adorable and laughed at his reflection in the mirror

    Reply

    • Sarah says

      What wonderful ways to use Wikki Stix! Spreading kindness AND giggles – perfect. Thank you for entering the giveaway, Good luck!

      Reply

  56. Debbie says

    We haven’t tried wiki sticks yet and are always looking for ways to help our little one be too engaged to think about screen time. A lot would be a great way to explore the wiki sticks. Thanks for the idea and contest.

    Reply

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