Welcome to The BridgeWay Bulletin! On this page: Program Spotlight Bring BridgeWay Home Community Corner Program Spotlight Dietitian Chat Are you wondering about your family’s overall nutrition? Do you have questions about your child’s eating? Are you looking for new...
Play Ideas
7 At-Home Activities to Cure Boredom
With so much time spent indoors, away from your child’s usual group activities and friends, you’re probably hearing “I’m bored” a lot more often—and truthfully, we could all use an extra dose of fun right now. Next time boredom strikes, try out these activities the whole family can enjoy together!
1. I Spy
I spy with my little eye, something that is red! Practice colours, shapes, and vocabulary by laying out objects and asking your child to find the object you’re describing. Then, switch things up by asking them to describe the object to you.
2. Teddy Bear Picnic
Let’s go on a picnic!
Play dress-up together by dressing up your child’s toys in their very own clothes. Set up a little picnic space for pretend play, or use this as opportunity to enjoy a special snack or meal in a new way.
3. Cup Catch
Play catch using cups, bowls, or a strainer. Throw a ball back and forth but instead of catching it in your hands, try to catch it in the object you’re holding! Use a ribbon to attach a ball to the object (as shown above) and attempt to get the ball into the object without using your other hand.
4. Body Part Dance
A fun way to learn body parts is to isolate them with dance!
Play some music and ask your child which part of their body is going to dance. Help them by modelling what it looks like when only one body part is dancing and the rest of the body is motionless. What will it look like when only your nose is dancing? Your arms, or your eyes? What body part will dance next?
5. Sock Puppet Show
Put on a puppet show together using socks! Use your imagination to decide the voices and appearance of your sock puppet. Is your sock a spotted dog or maybe a purple tiger? See where your imagination takes you!
6. Guess How Many
Can you guess how many are inside?
Fill a clear container with small objects and ask your child to guess how many are inside. Use larger objects, such as toy cars or spoons, to start and then make the game more challenging by using smaller objects, such as marbles. Next you can pour out the objects and count them together!
7. Obstacle Course
Create an obstacle course using all sorts of furniture! Crawling under tables, jumping onto or over pillows, and balancing on a footstool are all ways to burn energy while developing gross motor skills.
For babies and toddlers, set up the obstacles and allow them to explore.
Preschoolers may be ready for a bigger challenge, such as completing the course in a specific order or racing against you!
Recent News
The BridgeWay Bulletin – October 20 – November 2
Welcome to the newest edition of The BridgeWay Bulletin! On this page: Program Spotlight Bring BridgeWay Home Community Corner Program Spotlight FOLD Kids Book Fest The Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD) will be held November 5-9, in-person (in Brampton) and...
The BridgeWay Bulletin – October 6-19
Welcome back to The BridgeWay Bulletin! Reminder: All BridgeWay locations will be closed Saturday, October 12 and Monday, October 14 for the Thanksgiving long weekend, with the exception of Brittany Glen and Gore Meadows which will remain OPEN on Saturday, October 12....
The BridgeWay Bulletin – September 22-October 5
Welcome back to the BridgeWay Bulletin! In this edition, we will be focussing on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and celebrating Indigenous cultures. Reminder: BridgeWay will be closed Monday, September 30th for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. On...
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Community Gatherings and Places to Visit
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (also known as Orange Shirt Day), is acknowledged every year on September 30th. This is a day to honour children who never came home and the survivors of residential schools, as well as a reminder of the work we need to do to...
Play Ideas
17 Heartwarming Children’s Books by Indigenous Authors & Illustrators
BridgeWay staff have read and reflected on some children's books by Indigenous authors and/or illustrators. Below is a list of books and what stood out to each staff member as they read through the story on their own or with children and families. We hope you enjoy...
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7 Children’s Books Celebrating Asian Authors, Stories and Cultures
Picture books are a great way for children to learn about cultures as well as celebrate themselves and their family. These 7 books are written by authors of Asian descent with themes we can all relate to – feeling loved and connected, showing love and of course loving...
Trash to Treasure: 6 Recycled Materials to Add to Your Child’s Play
Learning through play can happen with the simplest materials. Before you recycle your plastic bottles and cardboard boxes, try adding them to your child's play! Objects like these are open-ended, which means there's no limit to what they can become when your child...
Creative Ways to Build Ramps
Ramps are a fun and interactive tool for children to explore math and science concepts. When they roll a toy down a ramp, they're learning to make predictions and problem solve while also learning about concepts like motion, speed, and cause and effect. There are fun...