Aside from just good old fun, they can be used for counting, sorting and classification so when my friend told me about a game her husband had when he was little, my teacher brain* started ticking and I made up a game board.On one side are white pictures of the six dinosaurs. This side is used to identify the different dinosaurs and sort them by type. There is also the opportunity for language development through talking about the different dinosaurs and describing their individual features.
On the other side are coloured dinosaur footprints. This side is used to sort the dinosaurs into the different colours. This side will also help with colour identification and recognition.
The actual game board is made from plywood, wrapped in one of the kids' old fleece blankets, then covered with fabric.
As the kids get older, we'll be able to use the dinosaurs and game board to make up our own games and activities. I'm already thinking I'll need to make two dice - one with the dinosaurs and one with the colours.
For more creative spaces, STOMP STOMP STOMP your way over to see Kirsty.
Edited to add:
A few people have asked where I got the dinosaurs from. It was through a school supplier just for teachers but I have found them online here and here. I haven't bought from these companies but I thought that at least you will see what they are called and look like if you want to shop around. They are expensive because they are a teaching resource.
*surprise surprise, it still works!!
42 comments:
How cute. Caleb's kinder have been doing dinosaurs this week and they froze theres in ice so the kids could pick away for hours - they LOVED it. Saving some of that for summer holidays I reckon
we stomp, stomp, stomp quite alot here!
hope you are having a good day. ♥
I must admit that I am very relieved that you brain works, as it gives me hope yet that my pre-baby-brain will return.
This board game is so very clever! But I'm not surprised. Everytime I come to visit you are doing or have done some thing clever, no matter how sleep deprived you are! That takes talent!
I'm sending you an email now. :)
Your dino board game/teaching aid is fabulous Nikki.
where did you get the dinosaurs? love them
What a great idea. Such a clever Mum (and Teacher!). I will have to keep my eye out for dinosaurs now :)
very cute! great idea!
This is brilliant. I remember when I was a kid constantly reorganising my collections into a variety of categories.
Love it Nikki! This is something my daughter would have loved too when she was little. She was dino obsessed for many years!
How cool is that game? I love the whole concept although I have to admit when I first saw them I was hoping they were rubbers (erasers), I'm such a child of the 80's.
There is no justice. How come you have your pre-baby brain back already - even amongst the sleep deprivation? (Love the STOMP STOMP STOMP games around your place).
Love the game. I might have to steal this idea & use it sometime in my studies. Besides it being a great game I just really like the colours!! Thanks xo ps glad you are getting some more sleep.
Awesome! What a clever (and educational) idea.
Wonderful! I love it when kids reach that 'classify everything' stage, it's so easy to entertain them while it lasts :)
What a great idea! We have those dinosaurs too and Little Mister just loves them! Cheap and very cheerful playthings really float my boat - a bit sad, but true!
Ahhh yes those dinosaurs (and the teddy bears and the fish and the shells ...) were always a hit weren't they? I haven't seen any around to buy for my guys yet. I love your board too and I love that it's crafting without any need for guilt 'cause it's for the kids AND it's educational! Bonus!
(p.s I once had a student tell me she thought it was racist to get the kids to 'segregate' the colours ... sigh)
that's a great idea. i bet the kids love it
I think those dinos would be a big hit here too! Where did you get them?
wow, I love it what a super idea!
Cool idea!! Would be a hit here for sure! And hi! I'm back :) xox
Fabulous game! That's the most unusual and inventive creative space I've ever seen. Thanks for this :) K
I remember those dino's. I would pry them from little fingers so they could eat lunch at kindy hehe. I would often come home with several in my pockets too. Welcome to the dino obsession Nikki!!
xo steph
They are so cool. And what a great game. The dice sound like a great idea too. Lots of fun!
Clever girl! I think I owe you an email somewhere too ... Sorry its all getting away from me.
Gold star to you!
. . . and through the haze of sleep deprivation. Hats off.
I like it alot! It's so exciting when the professional brain makes a momentary comeback. I'm not desperate to use mine in a work sense for a little while, but it's nice to know it's still there, somewhere!
I love it!! fantastic!
What a terrific idea! It's so simple and effective. I love it
Nikki, somehow I think teacher brains never stop ticking.Which is great when your kids are little and you keep on thinking of all these great educational activities and games in everything they're doing. Problem of course might be when they're 15 or 16 or...20 and the teacher brain still hasn't retired!
Another wonderfully inventive crafty idea from a wonderfully inventive crafty mumma...lucky kids!
Of course your teaching brain still works! Once a teacher always a teacher! Fantastic idea, what lucky kids you have!
What a great and fun idea Nikki! I bet they will have lots of fun playing with it.
What a great learning game. I know my little stinker would love something similar!
Brilliant! I love this idea so much. I'm always trying to fin fun and educational toys and activities for my 3YO nephew, that is NOT Thomas and Cars the movie. Might have to try this idea on him!
Oooh I love it Nikki!
I used to get my girls doing colour sorting with buttons into a Tupperware lunch box - the ones with multiple compartments.
My only trouble with this is I would have to brush up on my 'dinospeak'!
Fabulous fun, we love playing with little coloured dinosaurs too. The board game is a brilliant idea.
I have been playing with ... er, I mean admiring ... a very similar set of coloured teddies at Argy's kindergarten. The children seem to have heaps of fun with them. I think the teddies come with laminated cards with sequences, but for wee ones your features and colours board is a terrific idea. Such a lovely idea - I hope everyone has fun!
That is a brilliant game... my son will love that too!!!
Also love Cindy's idea about the ice - geez there are some brilliant ideas out there.
hello! i just found your blog and love it - thanks :)justine
"Good Morning Missus Nikki"... Can please play too? The is ACE. I bet your babes are loving it. I know My samll boy would for sure - thank you for the links and the sharing of a cracker of an idea - I think I see a Christmas present in the making here. Peta xo
Very cool!! you busy thing!! :) I bet your 2 will adore having such a special game to share together.
You are seriously too clever for your own good! My little daughter would love to play with that! She's probably spend an hour sorting them by color. :) What a great idea!
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