Step2

When children play in pairs it can help develop their social skills. They learn to share, take turns, and solve problems together. Also, as children begin to play in pairs, it helps to prepare them when they partake in group play. There are numerous benefits for children playing in pairs. However, it is not just about children sharing toys or playing tag outside together, there are plenty of fun activities that children can do in order to develop other skills that involve active and pretend play. Parenting.com has great examples of fun activities for children to play in pairs:

• Classic games: Play games like Simon Says, Hot Potato, or charades to get the laughs going and the creativity ignited.
• Dress up: Pull out all old clothes, Halloween costumes, and accessories for the kids to try on. They can even act like a silly character based on what they are wearing. Have the children guess what one another is such as a hippie, if they have a lot of beads and big sunglasses on.
• Cooking: Cooking can be a lot of fun, giving each child a duty to complete such as mixing or adding ingredients to the bowl. It can also be a messy activity. If you want the activity to be less messy, have the children interact in a play kitchen and ask them to work together to create a pretend meal.
• Let’s act: Ask the children to put on a show and give them household items such as a ladle, towels, shower caps, hats, ect. Give them time to prepare and capture the memories with camera or camcorder once they are ready for show time.
• Agree to Disagree: If the dynamic duo cannot agree on an activity or toy to share, have the children say activities they would like to do. Write the options down on little pieces of paper and draw an activity from a hat. Each child can grab one piece of paper from the hat and do the activities in order.

What tips do you have for having children play in pairs?

Playing sports from a young age will can children to increase their physical activity and also develop physical and social skills. Here at Step2, we encourage active play and offer a variety in toddler sports toys.  Many of our products incorporate different sports into one product. We will soon have a toy that is dedicated solely to basketball.  Towards the end of summer, we will be rolling out three new basketball items, including a new basketball hoop.  In the meantime, check out these other great sports items from Step2.

Sports-Tastic Activity Center: For children 12 months and up, this activity center includes a variety of sports activities in one play structure. Your little one can drop the ball in the mini basketball hoop or hit the baseball with the bat. In addition, he or she can use the slide when they are not playing with the different sports accessories.

Kickback Soccer Goal & Pitch Back:  This sports toy encourages children to play together. Kids can play hockey or soccer with the included accessories or use the back of the goal for pitching practice.

Double Play Sports Baseball & Golf Set: Score a hole in one with the Double Play Sports Baseball & Golf set. This sports set allows little ones to play putt-putt or tee ball, which can help with hand-eye coordination and batting skills.

Do you think it is important for children to dabble in sports at an early age?

Finding ways to keep kids active during the fall can be a challenge. During the summer, children enjoy playing in the pool and being outdoors, soaking up the sun and fun daily. As school starts and the weather cools, as parents, we can easily forget about all that outdoor active play has to offer.  According to Health.com, there are simple ways to keep your children active during autumn.

• Encourage them to play outside during the weekends or after school during the week
• Remind them to use their playhouses and swing sets to increase their levels of activity
• Find a kid friendly class in the community that requires physical activity
• Go on a hike during the weekend – don’t forget to bring your wagon to collect leaves and rocks
• Turn simple chores into active play – turn on the music and ask them to sweep up the kitchen floor with the beat

Teaching your children the importance of staying active will help to lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits.  What tips do you have when it comes to keeping your children active during autumn?