With four children under the age of six, I am always looking for opportunities to entertain the kids.Sure there are plenty of toys like Lego, trains and dolls, which are all great fun and of course have a place.But what I find lasts the longest and promotes cooperative play are those basic play opportunities, such as rolling down hills, finding snails or playing with boxes.Many of these activities are easy to organise or already naturally out there, just waiting to be experienced.Following are a few of my children's favourites -.Ponding; After considering buying the net, I ended up making three ponding nets out of left over tulle and wire coat hangers.Ponding can be done anywhere where there is a catchment of water.What you find can vary depending on the water source.A healthy dam was our favourite so far, with lots of yabbies, stick insects and tadpoles.Venture to your local creek, lake or pond and be amazed at what you will find.We even saw a water rat on our latest visit to a local creek!Rolling down hills; This requires no preparation and is so much fun.The bigger the hill the better! Younger, less adventurous children can just start a little lower down.Wear comfortable clothes, vary your hills and have a ball.Children love it when adults join in, so mum and dad get involved.Note. Do a quick dog poop check first!Watching clouds; A great way of relaxing with the kids.Find a comfortable spot, like the grass, a trampoline, the beach-lay back and simply watch the clouds.Spot tigers, whales, trains and other shapes.Just use your imagination!Finding snails; Encourage children to be 'snail snoopers'.Where would snails hide? On fences, under rocks, just take a look.We always play this game on the way back from school.Respect snails and pop them safely back into their environment.Insect spotting; This one is great to do your own backyard or further afield.Look for different types of insects.Talk about where they could be, what may be safe and what's not.Look under rocks, in bushes, and on fences.When you start looking be amazed at what you can find.You could also draw/ paint pictures of the insects.We also like to find out about them with a book or using the computer.Stone play; A bit like sand, stones are great for play.They make a great sound when they hit tin or wood.Provide the children with a few items to use with the stones, a bit of plastic, some metal or wood.I normally use spoons, trucks, containers, cooking trays etc.The children immersed themselves in the play and so far, I never had children throwing them at each other! Give it a try.Water Play; An old favourite.Use tank water if possible.Fill a large bucket or container.Don't make it too small, otherwise it could be tipped straight over! Provide the kids with a few different sized/shaped containers and watch them have hours of fun.Mine usually head to the sand pit to gather a few other supplies and some sort of cooking normally eventuates.Note. Adult supervision is always necessary when children play with water.Gardening; Pots or a small vegetable plot is all that is required.Let children decide what they would like to plant and this can even encourage them to eat their vegetables.Involve them in the entire process, from planting to watering and harvesting.Make a cheap watering can out of a bottle (pancake containers are ideal) with holes through the top - they are the perfect size and each child can have one.It is so rewarding to watch plants grow, especially if they are edible.Currently, my daughter is patiently waiting for her snow peas to grow!Boxes; Let their imagination run wild.A box can be a bus, a boat or train.Make one big enough to sit in, or small enough to push.Make a cubby house or even a city.These can be creatively decorated with paint, markers or pasting.With all of these activities, make sure children are suitably dressed- normally comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
Showing posts with label Lego City Trains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lego City Trains. Show all posts
Monday, September 24, 2012
Child's Play - Simple and Fun Activities for Kids
With four children under the age of six, I am always looking for opportunities to entertain the kids.Sure there are plenty of toys like Lego, trains and dolls, which are all great fun and of course have a place.But what I find lasts the longest and promotes cooperative play are those basic play opportunities, such as rolling down hills, finding snails or playing with boxes.Many of these activities are easy to organise or already naturally out there, just waiting to be experienced.Following are a few of my children's favourites -.Ponding; After considering buying the net, I ended up making three ponding nets out of left over tulle and wire coat hangers.Ponding can be done anywhere where there is a catchment of water.What you find can vary depending on the water source.A healthy dam was our favourite so far, with lots of yabbies, stick insects and tadpoles.Venture to your local creek, lake or pond and be amazed at what you will find.We even saw a water rat on our latest visit to a local creek!Rolling down hills; This requires no preparation and is so much fun.The bigger the hill the better! Younger, less adventurous children can just start a little lower down.Wear comfortable clothes, vary your hills and have a ball.Children love it when adults join in, so mum and dad get involved.Note. Do a quick dog poop check first!Watching clouds; A great way of relaxing with the kids.Find a comfortable spot, like the grass, a trampoline, the beach-lay back and simply watch the clouds.Spot tigers, whales, trains and other shapes.Just use your imagination!Finding snails; Encourage children to be 'snail snoopers'.Where would snails hide? On fences, under rocks, just take a look.We always play this game on the way back from school.Respect snails and pop them safely back into their environment.Insect spotting; This one is great to do your own backyard or further afield.Look for different types of insects.Talk about where they could be, what may be safe and what's not.Look under rocks, in bushes, and on fences.When you start looking be amazed at what you can find.You could also draw/ paint pictures of the insects.We also like to find out about them with a book or using the computer.Stone play; A bit like sand, stones are great for play.They make a great sound when they hit tin or wood.Provide the children with a few items to use with the stones, a bit of plastic, some metal or wood.I normally use spoons, trucks, containers, cooking trays etc.The children immersed themselves in the play and so far, I never had children throwing them at each other! Give it a try.Water Play; An old favourite.Use tank water if possible.Fill a large bucket or container.Don't make it too small, otherwise it could be tipped straight over! Provide the kids with a few different sized/shaped containers and watch them have hours of fun.Mine usually head to the sand pit to gather a few other supplies and some sort of cooking normally eventuates.Note. Adult supervision is always necessary when children play with water.Gardening; Pots or a small vegetable plot is all that is required.Let children decide what they would like to plant and this can even encourage them to eat their vegetables.Involve them in the entire process, from planting to watering and harvesting.Make a cheap watering can out of a bottle (pancake containers are ideal) with holes through the top - they are the perfect size and each child can have one.It is so rewarding to watch plants grow, especially if they are edible.Currently, my daughter is patiently waiting for her snow peas to grow!Boxes; Let their imagination run wild.A box can be a bus, a boat or train.Make one big enough to sit in, or small enough to push.Make a cubby house or even a city.These can be creatively decorated with paint, markers or pasting.With all of these activities, make sure children are suitably dressed- normally comfortable clothes that you don't mind getting dirty.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Lego 2010 Review - Set 7939 Lego City Cargo Train
In 2010, as part of their newest remote control train range, Lego is releasing another Cargo Train set.Lego Cargo trains tend to be popular with fans and it's not hard to see why.Trains are one of those toys that tend to last for years, and generations.Lego's first train was released in 1965 and it has since proved to be a regular release as part of the Town/City theme.Lego tends to release both a passenger train and a cargo train every few years and the cargo trains tend to offer a higher degree of playability due to the number of accessories and action features.Set 7939 is Lego's newest Cargo Train model for 2010 and contains 856 pieces which fit together to create a whole slew of accessories to the main train.The last release came in 2006 and utilised the largely unpopular remote control system that Lego have updated and improved for this release.Using the more efficient Power Functions system already in use in other sets, Lego have delivered more pulling power than the last set and this will please train fans.It comes with 4-channels and 7-speeds but lacks the horn and light functions from the last set.A total of 9 3A (triple A) batteries are required to power both the remote control and the motor in the engine.This may seem like a lot of batteries but Lego have actually reduced the degree of power required and increased the efficiency from their last wave of train sets which require 9AA batteries.The very smart looking locomotive engine comes with three carriages; an Octan fuel tank, a red box car with doors opening on both sides and a simple tray carriage that is used to transport cars.In addition the set comes with a truck cab and bed to carry the spare cargo container as well as two small "smart" cars that can be transported on the empty tray carriage.The set comes with stickers instead of printed parts, which is a shame but will no doubt keep the cost down.In regards to tracks the set also comes with 2 switch tracks, 8 straight tracks, 16 curved tracks and 16 flexible tracks that equal the length of 4 straight tracks.A crane is also included that can lift and carry the cargo onto the train.Overall the set is a highly payable addition to the Lego Train range and though it does not feature lights or a horn it has more power than the last release of trains.Keen fans should be able to add the missing features without too much hassle.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Lego City Trains Cheap LEGO City Passenger Train 7938 Online
lego city trains See LEGO City Passenger Train 7938 Details
List Price : $129.99 Price : $119.89
as of 2012-08-14 03:58 PM
Product Description
All aboard the new high-speed passenger train! The new high-speed passenger train is faster than a speeding bullet and it's on-track to super-speed passengers to their destinations! This train can handle up to eight cars at a time through the tight curves of the new flexible tracks using the new 4-channel, 7-speed infrared remote control. Train features an engine with opening cockpit and 2 passenger cars with removable roofs and space for 10 passengers. Includes 3 minifigures: train driver and 2 passengers; plus 1 traffic light, train station, 16 curved track pieces and 16 flexible track pieces that can make a curve or straightway.
- Includes 3 minifigures: 1 train driver and 2 passengers
- Train features 2 engines with opening control rooms and a passenger car with opening roof and space for 6 passengers
- A full circle of 16 curved tracks and 16 flexible tracks that equal 4 straight tracks
- Set features Power Functions battery box, motor, infrared receiver and 8-channel, 7-speed, infrared remote control that controls up to 8 different trains simultaneously
- Track are not compatible with LEGO 9V trains
LEGO City Passenger Train 7938 Reviews
lego city trains : LEGO City Passenger Train 7938 Reviews
| 65 of 65 people found the following review helpful  Lego's New Passenger Train for 2010, By = Durability: If you are comparing the various Lego trains out there, you may have noticed that I am the same nut-job parent reviewing some of the other trains. So yes, I am partial to Lego trains. But I'll still try to give you a good review. = Fun: = Educational: This is Lego's lower priced starter set introduced in June of 2010. The train is a red and white, three-car, double-ended electric passenger train with three mini-figures and a small station platform. The passenger sections are modestly furnished and can be accessed via removable tops. The train is attractively designed and represents a good improvement over the set it replaces (7897). The set is more "brick-built" with fewer specialized moldings than the prior set. And it incorporates Lego's latest remote control and motor offerings. The set includes 16 pieces of curved track (which makes a circle) and 16 pieces of flex track (turning the circle into a small oval). It also has the necessary Power Functions accessories (motor, infrared control,... Read more 11 of 13 people found the following review helpful  Not different enough from 7897, = Durability: This is a cool set on its own merits. It replaces 7897, not 7896 as mentioned in another review. Set 7897 is a high-speed passenger train styled after Germany's real-life ICE. Set 7897 had a couple problems: = Fun: = Educational: 1) Not enough straight track (this is endemic to all lego train sets). 2) The cabs of the two end cars were large, single-piece items which look clumsy. The most obvious difference with set 7938 is the color. (The train is now red instead of white with a red stripe.) The cabs represent an immense improvement. They look much nicer in 7938 because they are no longer a single clumsy piece. You also get the newer remotes which allow more trains to operate at once. Unfortunately, this set eliminates straight track all together and replaces it with the dismal (in my opinion, useless) "flexible" track. If you already own 7897, I don't think there's anything compelling about 7938. If you don't, this is a cool set, but you'll definitely want more rails... Read more 5 of 5 people found the following review helpful Excellent Train, = Durability: = Fun: Amazon Verified Purchase This train is great. Many improvements were made to this train. The windows were made bigger. The motor is stronger. There are not as many large molded parts either, which do not fit as well as bricks or smaller molded parts. This train uses the power functions system, and it is all quality stuff. The battery box takes 6 AAA batteries, which last for about 4 hours, just like the older train's batteries. You can also order a rechargeable battery box for it. It sure goes fast, so fast that it can fly off the tracks, but it is so strongly built that it survived 3 crashes onto a concrete floor, and it still looks great. I do not recommend going above speed #5 until the batteries are worn down, but it may vary on different track layouts. So, go ahead and but this train versus the older train, because you will get a lot of enjoyement out of it. The only bad thing is the flexible tracks, and the train cannot grip them that well due to the gaps in the "rails" of the tracks, which the train... Read more |
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Monday, July 30, 2012
Lego City Trains Affordable LEGO Train Set #3677 Red Cargo Train
lego city trains See LEGO Train Set #3677 Red Cargo Train Details
List Price : Price : $179.28
as of 2012-07-30 01:03 PM
Product Description
bPrepare the cargo train for its next destination!/bThe LEGO City freight yard is busier than ever! Get the Red Cargo Train ready to roll out and haul! Load rocks into the freight cars with the conveyor belt and be careful when loading the hazardous waste car. Use the flatbed utility freight car and railroad repair truck to repair the tracks. Then drive your haul through LEGO City with the LEGO Power Functions Remote Control #8879! Loaded with details and accessories including 3 freight cars, engine car, broom, shovel, jackhammer and 40 tracks. * Includes 4 railroad worker minifigures * Red Cargo Train features train engine and 3 freight cars, including tipping, hazardous waste and flatbed freight cars * Includes railroad repair truck * Also includes 40 tracks 16 flex, 16 curved and 8 straight * Accessories include broom, shovel and jackhammer * Load rocks into the freight cars with the conveyor belt! * Haul the railroad repair truck to the work site with the yellow flatbed freight car or drive it on the road! * Steer the Red Cargo Train with the LEGO Power Functions Remote Control #8879
- Recommended Age: 6 - 12 years
LEGO Train Set #3677 Red Cargo Train Reviews
lego city trains : LEGO Train Set #3677 Red Cargo Train Reviews
| 27 of 27 people found the following review helpful Lego's 2011 cargo train, By = Durability: = Fun: = Educational: This review is from: LEGO Train Set #3677 Red Cargo Train (Toy) I am the nut-job parent that you'll see in some of the other train reviews. I grew up with Lego and returned to it when I had kids. Obviously I am terribly partial to Lego (ignore my star rating), but I'll give you the best review I can so that you can make the decision that is right for your kids. I do not receive free sets or compensation for my Lego reviews. This set began trickling into U.S. stores in early July, 2011.A tidy and nicely designed set, 3677 includes a heavy switching engine (similar to a Deutsche Bundesbahn Class 290 diesel locomotive), a small green and white hazardous waste boxcar (with a pallet of lime green barrels), tipping ballast car, and maintenance-of-way (MOW) flatcar (which has a small cab, MOW truck, small crane and pallet). The MOW truck has flip-down rail wheels. There is also a trackside conveyor belt loader for the ballast, a trackside hopper, and four mini-figures. The set includes all the necessary Power Function parts... Read more Great first lego train for 6 yr old, By MommyMac (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews = Durability: = Fun: = Educational: Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: LEGO Train Set #3677 Red Cargo Train (Toy) We got this for our 6yr old for Christmas and left it in the box for him to assemble. He was able to do so over time with only a few corrections along the way! He assembled the engine first, which he could play with right away. Then the other cars and buildings were put together over the next few days. Each one took under an hour for our novice lego builder. The train runs great and my son loves driving it. The track is easy to assemble and holds together very well.We ordered the light kit to add on based on some other reviews. With no instructions for incorporating the lights, our current implementation has some wires hanging out, but that's the way my son likes it so it's fine. (My husband used some additional lego pieces we had to hide the wires and add the lights to look more correct to us, but that was not the way it was allowed to stay - haha!) It's impressive the amount of detail that each train car and the conveyer belt incorporate. We've shown off... Read more Red Cargo Train Review, = Durability: = Fun: = Educational: Amazon Verified Purchase This review is from: LEGO Train Set #3677 Red Cargo Train (Toy) This train is my son's 3rd, and although a little pricey(probably due to power functions) it is a great addition to my son's collection of 2 other Lego trains, The Emerald Night and Cargo train. Although it was rated up to 12 years, and it didn't take my son, 14 years old, as long to build it as the others, he was sufficiently challenged, but did not need my help at all. It is much faster than the Cargo train, and he has enjoyed it alot. |
› See all 4 customer reviews...
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