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 Linda and her family.
Please tell us a bit about you and your family.
We are a family of four with two boys. Jack (7) and Sam (6). We are Dutch and after a few years of New York City we have been living in Dubai for nearly 5 years now.
Best playground.
The beach!
On a free day, what is your family’s favorite activity?
Going to the beach and just letting the day take it’s course. My boys are always in the water. They love to swim and otherwise you will find them on a surf board. You will find me and my husband on the beach, under an umbrella with a take out coffee. We will sometimes be with a big group, other days it will be just the four of us. The beach is our happy place.
How do you play with your kids? With what kind of toys?
Since the kids are only one year apart, they have always played with each other. I love to let them do their own imaginary play which I sometimes initiate by building tents or playing soccer with them.
What is your favorite toy? And your children’s?
They are SO into LEGO They also like to play board games with us in the weekend.
When you were a child what did you play and with what toys? What was your favorite one?
Hard to believe now but I was very into Barbies. Yet I also loved to read, I was a real book worm!
What kind of crafts/DIY projects do you like to do with your kids?
For school there are always many projects to keep us busy and the boys enjoy that.
For the rest they help me with my DIY projects that I do for my styling jobs. There is always some spray painting, dip-dyeing or unpacking going on to keep them entertained.
Do your children prefer playing or watching tv? Does what they see on television influence how they play?
My kids are like any other kids, they love some screen time every once in a while. As we do not have a tv, they are dependent of the IPad and they will sometimes watch a movie or series on there. It is always two boys – one screen.
What they see on a screen will sometimes spark their roll play. It is all about being mindful of what they watch when you ask me.
What is your children’s favorite book? And yours (from their collection)?
Story time is an important part of our evening ritual. Jack is at an age where he will read his own book in his bed. At the moment a favorite is Charly and the Chocolate Factory
Your kids prefer playing indoors or outdoors?
Outdoors for sure. We are only indoors when the Dubai temperatures are to high to go outside.
Does your kids like to create their own activities / games / characters?
Yup, they like to replicate the Lego caracters.
Sounds and music are important in your child playing?
pief, paf, pief, paf….. iieeeekkk, bong….. I have 2 boys… the sounds started when they were little, only became louder haha!
Big thank you Linda for sharing with us a little of your fun family!
Linda is the founder of a super creative site focused on interior, styling and lifestyle – Live Loud Girl.
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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.