‘I’m bored’ it’s the phrase we all dread, the one that makes us roll our eyes and remind our kids about all the toys they got for Christmas, the books stuffed into their bookcase and paints, paper and mountain of shiny things in the craft drawer. ‘I’m bored.’ Sometimes it seems like no matter how much stuff your kids have it’s never going to be enough to keep them entertained, I know I do a lot of raised eyebrows at this one! Petits Filous new Play Free campaign is all about letting your kids be bored and instead of trying to entertain them, letting them find their own solutions instead and it’s something I’m super excited to be involved in.
What is free play and why is it important?
Free play is play that’s child led and child driven, just letting your kids decide what they fancy doing. No curriculum, no goals, taking as long as they want and then trying something else when they want to. I love the way Petits Filous explain it in their new videos which they’ve shared on their Facebook page – it really is just having fun and it’s great for parents to join in – just let the kids lead the play!
Free Play teaches those things that just can't be taught #petitsfilousplayfree
Posted by Petits Filous on Saturday, January 13, 2018
With kids lives becoming more structured with organised activities and classes it’s really important that they’re still able to play free, play helps children’s muscles to develop, helps with their motor skills and it’s essential for their communication skills. I love sharing things to encourage kids creativity and play is the perfect way to encourage that!
How we do free play at the moment (do we even do free play?!)
I must admit that when my daughter is at home after nursery and her brother is still at school I do lead play a bit. As far as crafting and art goes I think we’re pretty good, she knows she can help herself to anything and regularly does but just good old fashioned play? Well I know I generally suggest what we could do. We’re good at playing while we are out – we take a lot of walks across our local beaches and over the last few months I’ve seen my daughter turn from someone who hates walking to the self proclaimed ‘adventure girl’ who loves climbing up big rocks, jumping over puddles, splashing through rockpools and jumping back down onto the sand below. Home is the place I think we need to work on free play the most so it will be fun to see how that goes and over the next week I’ll be taking part in the free play challenge, letting her lead and then discussing how we do with Anita Cleare and sharing our findings here.
Of course with all this adventure, play and learning kids need the correct fuel and Petits Filous is a great snack that kids can eat at home with their yogurt pots or on the go with Petits Filous pouches. Petits Filous provide your kids with calcium and they’re fortified with vitamin D, helping them to play free. Calcium gives strength to bones and teeth and since our bodies can’t make it kids need to get it through their diet, it’s recommended that kids have three portions of dairy a day and one small pot of fromage frais Petits Filous counts as one of these. Few foods naturally contain Vitamin D but luckily some foods, such as Petits Filous fromage frais, are fortified with it. Vitamin D is necessary to help the body absorb calcium from food and Petits Filous contains 50% of the recommended daily allowance.
I’m looking forward to updating you on how our free play challenge goes and I’d love it if you joined in too – how often do you do free play with your kids and is it something you could increase too?
Disclaimer: I’m working with Petits Filous and BritMums promoting the #PetitsFilousPlayFree campaign about the importance of free play
I think we’re the opposite way round to you. Free play works ok at home, but I find it hard to let go when we’re out and about. I need to take some tips from your little adventure girl!
I think for us there’s too many ‘things’ at home? Where as out and about there’s nothing to do but use your imagination, it gives them a way to have fun when I make them go for a walk 😉
I love this picture of your daughter clutching a rock. It epitomises the whole free play thing — not about toys or distractions but making your own fun with your imagination.
Do you know I also had to ask ‘do we even Free Play’ and although we do I think it could be a lot more child-led. So looking forward to hearing from Anita about ways we can incorporate it more into our every day lives x
Pickle has the most amazing imagination and I love watching his free play. It usually involves a super hero or two!! Kaz
If I got to do as I chose when I was a kid I would have read books and played with myPolly Pockets on my own for hours.
One thing I never was as a child was bored. My nephew is always bored and he has all the latest technology, it baffles me x
Free play when I was a child was the norm. Now ipads and tv get in the way. We encourage loads of free play at home. It stimulates the kinda and my lot love it
Lucas seems to enjoy free play more than technology and games. Long may it continue !
I never remember being bored as a child, but my niece and nephew are constantly bored, despite having more than ever to play with x
We love going outdoors. My girls can be hrs playing together and inventing things to do. It is very cool to watch. I wish I am more creative like you and do more crafting at home. I am not very good at it but I Iet my girls do what they fancy and sometimes they come back with interesting crafts which surprises me as they did it on their own. So yes it is much better when we let them have free play so they can let their imagination flow.
Free play is so good. Using objects instead of toys really allows that imagination to start working and exploring!
I love watching the boys play and the things they come up with using their imaginations.
Aww free play sounds like a wonderful idea. Really is a fab way to get the kids thinking more creatively and in such a fun way too!
I think free play is easier to instigate outside, it is indoors I struggle but the kids have really surprised me during our challenge
I am totally the same when it comes to play at home. It wasnt until this campaign forced me to take a step back that I realised that I tend to lead things. Can’t wait to see the outcome of your experience. I know I’m going to struggle not to get involved!!
I agree, free play is amazing and kids should get much more of it. It’s fantastic to see what they come up with when left to work it our alone.
Thanks for taking part in the campaign. I can’t wait to see how the boredom challenge goes. Free play is so important for children.
Commenting on behalf of BritMums.