Definition of play: engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose; engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment; amuse oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence;
Since I make toys – and I’m a mother of a little one – I begin to grow more and more curious about playing. How children these days play, how parents interact and play with them, how can we play in a fun way with them, how playing can help children’s development…
For this interview I have the pleasure to introduce you to Wimke and her family.
Please tell us a bit about you and your family.
Hello, I am Wimke, 34 years old and living in the smallest city in the north of the Netherlands; IJlst. Together with my partner Wopke we have 2 girls: Bente (2007 ) and Madee (2010). I have a blog called Wimke Tolsma and I am a guestblogger. I blog about my life, easy and colorful diy’s, recipes which are always a big hit and tips to do in the weekend (with kids).
Best playground.
Home, their own room and our garden.
In a free day what is your family favorite activity?
Going on a picnic! I make some sandwiches and salads to go. We love to picnic near a playground, a beach or places in the middle of nature. We bring some outdoor playsets and magazines to read. When the sun is shining you have the best day!
How do you play with your girls? With what kind of toys?
I like to make and bake with my kids. For my (guest) blog I have to make very often a DIY. My girls are my biggest inspiration and we like to create jewelry (for example from pasta we make beads), costumes are homes for the barbies and my little ponies. When we decide to bake, the girls cut the vegetables for the soup or may mix all the ingredients for cookies or cake.
What is your favorite toy? And from your daughters?
I don’t have a favorite. The girls love their tipi-tent. When its cold, the tent is a little home at the attic. At the first spring day the tent moves to the garden.
When you were a child what did you play and with what toys? What was your favorite one?
When I was about 10 years old I always played outsite with my 2 sisters Henny and Marije. We did a lot of roll-plays. We had a cabin and together we played that we were hunters. Or we made perfume of rose petals. And spent a lot of time in the playground at our bloc.
What kind of crafts/DIY projects do you like to do with your kids?
They are girls, and they love to make jewelry :) The youngest Madee has a sort of obsession for clay. She likes to make pies and pastries of clay.
Your children prefer playing or watching tv? What they see in television influences how they play?
Sometimes they are tired and like to hang on the couch and watch tv. Madee goes further when she stops playing. She grabs the Ipad and search for youtube-videos of playdoh of videos of decorating a pie. She is 5 years old and wants to become a chef.
What is your kids favorite book? And yours (from their collection)?
Jip & Janneke from Annie MG Smit, Knofje from Burny Bos and Pluk van de Petteflat from Annie MG Smit.
My old time favorite is Jip and Janneke. As a matter of fact I prefer all the books of Annie MG Smit. So simple, visual and funny.
Please ask your girls “If you could choose to be a storybook character what would you be”? Why?
They prefer to be an elf. So they are so pretty and can fly.
Do you know how does your children play at school?
They play together with their friends. Do sports like volleyball, gymnastics or play that they are horses on a manege.
Your kids prefer playing indoors or outdoors?
Outdoor at the playground, on the trampoline in our garden or at the schoolyard. Bente is 7 years and likes to play with her friends in the neighborhood.
Does your girls like to create their own activities / games / characters?
Yes they do! The play mom and dad and they have a lot of children :). Another rollplay is that they are dolphins and mermaids.
Sounds and music are important in your children playing?
Yes is it. They invent their own lyrics and love to dance. Last week Bente joined the mini-playback show at school. She loved the attention.
Lovely family! – Thank you so much Wimke for telling us a bit about your happy family!
Wimke has a blog – kind like an online journal – where she shares about her family and some really cool DIY projects for kids – it’s filled with great ideas and beautiful, colorful photos.
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I would really like to know how your kids play? What’s their favorite toy, the one they cuddle at night?
Please leave a comment below.