I’m a mom, stepmom, and theatre educator helping exhausted parents access their inner creative playfulness for more connection and joy. No messy crafts, complicated setups, or sensory bins here! Just simple, silly moments that bring your family back together through laughter. My short weekly emails share reflections from real life and a simple invitation you can try for yourself or with your kids.
Games that had everyone laughing this past weekend!
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My fam was in town this past weekend. My sweet son turned four(!!) and my mom, sis, and dad flew out to celebrate. We packed a lot in and while sometimes quick visits like this can feel stressful, this was a great weekend full of moments that helped everyone laugh and loosen up so I want to share them with you now! 1- Name That (Minion) Tune We sang songs like the minions from “despicable me” and it’s literally so fun for all ages (even grandpa played) - tip, just sing the syllables “bee-doh-bee-doh-banana” with a little nasally voice and you’ve got it! 2- 20 Questions Classic. We played in the car. Someone thinks of something and everyone else asks yes or no questions to figure it out. With all the different age ranges there was LOTS of laughter. (Our first question was ALWAYS “is it alive??”) 3- Fortunately/Unfortunately One of our faves!! We tell a story, with each person saying one sentence at a time. Each sentence starts with either “fortunately” or “unfortunately,” always alternating. My mom and sis and I did one and I posted the video on IG! Example: “Unfortunately, I lost my shoes. Fortunately, I love being barefoot!” “Unfortunately, I stepped on a Lego!” I was excited to show my app to the fam for the first time! We tried it out all together and told a hilarious story about a pumpkin monster who discovered a whole hidden underground land (and a man dressed as a giraffe who at 45 pizzas and spent the whole night in the pumpkin patch bathroom) - lots of laughter and creativity and we also recorded it right in the app so we can listen to it for years to come and remember this visit! And you can’t really call this a game but does anyone remember my email about “Barty’s Blich” a few months back?? Long story short it was an inside joke that evolved from a drawing my son did which he titled “Barty’s Blich” (because he makes up the best most random names), and then we all took it from there and ran with it and made up a whole backstory that this was a mythical place 🤣 There was even a whole choreographed song and dance about it from my sis and stepdaughter Well, my mom surprised us ALL with marching “Barty’s Blich” T-SHIRTS! We all wore them to the pumpkin patch and a few people asked us what they meant. It was not easy to explain, but it was hilarious. My stepdaughter even wore hers to school on Monday 🤣👏 My invitation for you this week: Try one of those games, even if it’s been a chaotic day! Sometimes a little silliness can really pull you (or someone else!) out of a funk. And hey, if nothing else, consider yourself “in” on our family’s weird inside joke about Barty’s Blich that makes no sense but somehow has us all howling every time we talk about it! Cheering you on always, Mia P.S. In case you missed it, I made a new Halloween freebie! It's like pumpkin spice-flavored sample of my app games, full of wholesome silly Halloweeny prompts for connection. 🎃 Just tap the link below to download it! MORE FROM PLAYFUL HEART PARENTING: Done-for-you fun. Simple, creative apps that take the brainwork out and put connection and laughter in. LITTLE MOMENTS FOR BIG LAUGHS: Quick and easy, random, silly moments to share with your kids. Private podcast program: playful strategies for navigating everyday parenting challenges and reducing power struggles. |
Playful Heart Parenting
I’m a mom, stepmom, and theatre educator helping exhausted parents access their inner creative playfulness for more connection and joy. No messy crafts, complicated setups, or sensory bins here! Just simple, silly moments that bring your family back together through laughter. My short weekly emails share reflections from real life and a simple invitation you can try for yourself or with your kids.
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Surprise! I've just made a brand new play resource: "Turkey Day Play!" It's a printable Thanksgiving-themed resource full of prompt-based games for laughter and connection. If you don't have the apps or advent calendar, this will give you a good idea of what's inside -- and if you do have them, you'll love this "gravy-flavored" version! DOWNLOAD, PRINT, AND PLAY: Turkey Day Play.pdf *perfect for family get-togethers and fun even if you don't celebrate Thanksgiving! If you try these out, I'd...