Kids Building with Drinking Cups and 365 Penguins

Play Dr. Mom sent us the book 365 Penguins (Reissue), some craft supplies, and over 400 drinking cups as a part of The Educators’ Spin On It’s Love Books Summer Exchange. After only a few minutes of looking at the book, it became on of our favorites. The book contains a lot of humor, fun pictures and a cute story. Play Dr. Mom had told us we would love it and she was right! She also said kids building with cups would be a hit and she was right. She is one smart lady.

Before I tell you about building or stacking with cups let me tell you about the book 365 Penguins.  In the book a new  penguin is delivered everyday for a whole year. There is very unclear explanation that comes with each penguin in their shipping box until the very end of the book. What we do learn is that the family that receives them has to figure out what to do with them. Stacking them in just one of the fun ideas they come up with. What they do with the penguins and where they put them in their home is where the humor of this book comes in.

Kids Building

We were supposed to create a penguin using the craft supplies that were sent to us and at least one of the drinking cups. After seeing the penguins stack up in the book, JDaniel really wanted to try stacking all the cups instead.  About that time the next door neighbor called to ask if he could play. Both boys ended up creating grand walls on the kitchen table. One set the goal of having the longest wall and the other the most fancy.  Both walls turned out great!

Later we took the cups outside to build water gun targets. It was a little windy and the walls kept falling over. JDaniel and the now two boys from next door kept building them up and looking for areas on the front walk that were free from wind. It was wonderful to watch and hear the plans they were making to get walls to stay up.

First a long wall was built.

Then smaller walled buildings were built.

Finally they used the cups to create a walled city on the front porch. Each boy picked an area and worked on creating a wall. It was less windy there. These walls stayed up until it was time to head in for dinner.

The front of the porch received its wall first.

Then we all worked on the side of the porch and the area near the front door.

I just love watching the kids buildings grow. Each one required creative thinking and planning.

I need to thank Play Dr. Mom for a book we have read numerous times since her package arrived and many hours of many days filled with building. The plastic drinking cups have become the boys favorite building toy. We will make the penguins  later. I promise.

I also want to thank the ladies from The Educator’s Spin on It for including us in their book exchange.

For more book related craft and learning activities you will want to check out my Read.Explore.Learn Pinterest board.

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