Notes from Barefoot Mama-Barn Basket Enrichment Activity

This Barefoot Mama has been sick for the last two weeks, so my blogging and enrichment activities have been delayed. We are back and ready to share our playtime experiences.

One thing I realized when I was sick was that my daughter was really enjoying our lazy afternoons, which were essentially me laying on the floor and giving her my full (but sick) attention. She was happier in the evenings and seemed to be more confident to play independently after we took some time together. I have begun to schedule lazy afternoons now, and it has been a really positive experience.

This afternoon, we decided to catch up on our Barefoot enrichment activities and complete our Barn Basket and animals activity. This, on paper, looked a little daunting to me and time consuming, but from start to finish (including getting everything ready and printed, gathering supplies, etc) it took about 30 minutes.

We used the printed pages that Miss Jenn sent us, craft paper, scissors, an old playdough multipack box and spray craft glue.

I did all the cutting and most of the assembly, but Ava glued all the animals to the craft paper.

While I was making the craft, Ava and I talked all about each animal, why they lived in a barn vs a house like us, what they ate ("do they like mac and cheese too mama?") and how fun it is that they all get to live together.

Animals glued on craft paper and ready for cut out

Beginnings of the barn and barn assembly

Playtime!
Note: we had a duck in our animal printouts, and Ava thought it needed water. So, our barn has a lake by it

Every farm and barn needs a fence, in addition to the lake. Out came the mega blocks!

Fall Leaves (recycled from another enrichment activity) acted as our mud and food

Farmer Ava, tending to her happy animal farm

We played together with this for about forty minutes (after it was assembled). I left the room and came back about five minutes later and she was still happily playing.

We are leaving it out for playtime with Daddy this evening. She is so proud of her cool barn and farm. I am excited to see the story she comes up with tonight.

The other good news: all of the animals fit right in the box, so cleanup and storage is a snap.