Kids Got Cabin Fever? Lakeshore Learning Offers Fun Indoor Activities to Help Survive Winter!

***Disclosure: I received complimentary samples to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

Here in Ohio, the weather has been brutal this winter. I love the snow, but the temperatures have been absolutely frigid. Way too cold to go play in most days, that's for sure! So of course, the kids have a bit of cabin fever. This often results in Xander trying to annoy and bother Sophie. Not fun for them, and certainly not fun for me. 

I have been trying to keep them occupied with fun indoor activities and lots of dramatic and creative play. Arts and crafts, storytime, and of course, great puppet shows with our Puppet Theater and Let's Talk! Community Helpers Puppets from Lakeshore Learning!

About Lakeshore Learning :

Lakeshore is dedicated to creating innovative educational materials that spark young imaginations, instill a sense of wonder and foster a lifelong love of learning. With materials for infants & toddlers through the 6th grade, we help children reach developmental milestones and achieve educational goals—while still having fun! We know that each child is unique, and we strive to develop materials that appeal to children of all interests, backgrounds and abilities. And, of course, all of the products we carry must meet stringent quality & safety standards—so they’re strong enough for daily use in the classroom and safe enough for use by babies and children.

In addition to providing educational materials for children around the globe, Lakeshore nurtures their own children right here at home! Their on-site preschool, Kids & Company, is a fully certified Nature Explore® Classroom that provides a safe and stimulating educational environment for our employees’ infants, toddlers and preschoolers. As you can see, it’s a big hit with kids and parents alike.

Our review of the Puppet Theater :

When our Pupper Theater and puppets arrived, I was so excited. My kids love acting out different scenarios with dolls, cars, and stuffed animals, so I knew they'd flip over this. 

The Lakeshore Puppet Theater required adult assembly, but it was easy-peasy. My husband had it put together and ready to go in just a couple of minutes. 

As you can see, this theater is absolutely adorable. It features a colorful painted motif, as well as a velvet red curtain. The curtain can be opened and closed, which is a very nice added touch.

The Let's Talk! Community Helpers Puppet Set is wonderful, too. It came with 8 great puppets that depict people we depend on every day, like the mail carrier, chef, teacher, fire-fighter, and astronaut, just to name a few. 

These puppets are very well made, with no loose threads to be found. They are also incredibly detailed. Some of them even come with props like a mail bag or a teacher's book! 

While there are 8 puppets in this set, I only photographed 6. You see, Sophie and Xander decided, while in Daddy's care, that the Police Officer and the Doctor needed to eat spaghetti and meatballs. (Yikes!) So they are currently MIA while they undergo a thorough cleaning! I give the kids an A+ for effort and creativity, though!

Sophie and Xander have spent many hours playing with their Lakeshore Puppet Theater. They love being able to put on shows for Mommy, Daddy, and their teenage brother, Kyle. They also get to learn about different occupations with these puppets. Here, the chef is giving the astronaut "Space Food" to take with him on his journey to "Planet Waka-Waka-Goo-Goo". Yeah. My kids are strange. Amusing, but strange! I love their imaginations! 

These great toys have been an absolute lifesaver as we've braved this icy cold winter. During the Arctic freezes, we've had a blast staying inside and enjoying some live entertainment from Sophie and Xander! 

If your little ones have been getting restless this winter, I would most definitely recommend checking out the creative toys from Lakeshore Learning. They have so many things to choose from, catering to many ages and stages, and accommodating a wide variety of interests. 

How to Connect :

You can check out the awesomeness that is Lakeshore Learning on their website. 

You can also connect on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!