When my two year old developed an obsession with cars, trucks, buses, tractors (all things wheeled), I searched and searched for a "road rug" for him to drive on; you know, the rugs designed with ribbons of black with white dashes winding all around, sometimes with scenes of farms or cities printed on them. After a long search, I was relieved to save some money by finding we already had a really cool rug road right under our noses:
Those rugs with the printed road designs on them are almost always made of nylon or some other synthetic material that I try to minimize around the house. Plus, I knew their themed designs would only last him so long before a new obsession. Then, one day, I realized that our large wool living room rug has roads (abstract ones, admittedly) all over it! One hint at lining his cars up on the "blue roads", as we call them, and he was hooked.
Now, we often have traffic jams in the living room. But I'm happy to see our home's decor being enjoyed by even the youngest in the household and to know that I didn't waste a dime on a specifically-themed rug that will be outgrown in the blink of an eye.
(Image: Regina Yunghans)
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You've even got traffic circles!
I like the idea of using what you have as a solution. That's my theme for this year.
My sister and I always used to play in what we called a 'plantsoen', dutch for those little flower/shrubbery beds in gardens or parks. Indoors we played with tiny dolls in the flower arrangement on the table, and when christmas came, the decorated tree also perfectly functioned as an adventurous house. I always preferred flower arrangements as houses over the store-bought ones.
Love this! Having kids isn't as expensive as people would have you believe...and the abstracted "blue roads" is a fond memory he'll carry throughout life in a way he wouldn't have the literal roads on the Wal-Mart rug.
It's those things my 17 year old son remembers most...
My brother and I used to flatten large cardboard boxes and then use markers to draw roads, parking lots, buildings, etc. And if Mattel is wondering, I'm a mother, and I clearly know how to play with Hot Wheels.
That rug would also be perfect for games of "Simon Says."
You know, "Simon says stand in a blue circle." "Simon says hop on one foot to an orange circle." "Simon says put your left hand on a blue line."
A perfect reminder that creativity is better when allowed to utilize what's at hand, rather than buying a kit...
Love the idea of Simon Says on this rug! Twister, too.
Can you give us a link to the rug? I love it!
My only surprise is that you had to give him a hint...kids figure this stuff out all by themselves often.
As he no doubt would have in time as he grew - didn't mean that as a slight on your kid - just a comment on how inventive kids are and see things that we miss right under our noses all the time.
Here is the source for the rug! http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Handmade-Aluminum-New-Zealand-Wool-Rug-8-x-10/6430039/product.html?cid=202290&kid=9553000357392&track=pspla&ef_id=ZWRP9y62g0oAAFED:20130315191521:s