I love a simple, classic play activity, like playing with a mirror, that requires little or no setup time and is just as fun as any newfangled, intricately creative, modern game.

Mirror Play is not just for babies; your toddler or preschooler will really get a kick out of it, too.

Materials

• A mirror (handheld, full-length, the rear-view mirror, whatever’s handy)

That’s it!

Mirror Play Prompts

Obviously you don’t need to do a thing except show your child a mirror and her imagination will take off.

To make things more interesting if she’s used to mirror play, try these prompts:

• Try making funny faces or acting out emotions (e.g., making sad, mad, happy faces)
• Pretend to host a t.v. show or be a reporter facing into the “camera”
• Act out a character or scene from a book and take turns guessing the character or book title
• Name and point to your facial features or body parts
• Describe each of your facial features or body parts (e.g., brown hair, two legs, etc.)

To change things up, visit a local children’s museum or amusement park house of mirrors. We love ducking into the two plane mirror exhibit in the upstairs Wonder Cabinet of the Children’s Discovery Museum in San Jose.

What are your or your children’s favorite simple, classic games and activities?

LEARN! Social development, emotional development, self-awareness, imaginative play, bodies

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Chrissy – who has written 422 posts on The Outlaw Mom® Blog - Creative Living in a Conventional World.

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