Dangerous toys--favorite toys
Ren Allen
"I don't see weapons as being toys."
I don't either....not real weapons anyway. But we have some very
realistic looking airsoft guns around here that are toys. If you
didn't have the orange tip on them (required for realistic toy
weapons) it would be hard to tell the difference between the toy and
the real thing.
We play with toy weapons. My backyard is becoming an airsoft field.
Jared and John (good friend) have been shooting back there frequently.
Not only at targets but at each other. Eventually we'll all have guns
and play shooting games with them.
Kids are smart. They know the difference between shooting a toy weapon
(realistic looking or not) and the damage a real weapon can do. My
children have no desire to harm other human beings with weapons or
even their hands.
As far as toy weapons for younger kids. I would make the 2y.o. a
boffer style weapon that won't hurt anyone if he hits them. A 2y.o.
just doesn't have the understanding to use a hurtful toy
appropriately. Jalen did get wooden swords and such, but I stayed very
close to him while he had it out.
You can make boffers out of pvc pipe and pipe insulation (wrapped with
duct tape) and they can engage in duels safely that way.
OR, make a standing target for him to practice on....so he isn't
tempted to use his brother as such.:) I would still do the dishes and
whatnot, just have the older one come with you while you are
distracted. That way, if the 2y.o. tries to hit him with it, the 5y.o.
is right there near you. That's only an occasional tool, but when you
really need to get something done that might help.
We've purchased a lot of plastic, wood and real swords over the years.
They aren't two forever and it will get easier. In the meantime, just
find him some things that are ok to hit and redirect him to those.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
I don't either....not real weapons anyway. But we have some very
realistic looking airsoft guns around here that are toys. If you
didn't have the orange tip on them (required for realistic toy
weapons) it would be hard to tell the difference between the toy and
the real thing.
We play with toy weapons. My backyard is becoming an airsoft field.
Jared and John (good friend) have been shooting back there frequently.
Not only at targets but at each other. Eventually we'll all have guns
and play shooting games with them.
Kids are smart. They know the difference between shooting a toy weapon
(realistic looking or not) and the damage a real weapon can do. My
children have no desire to harm other human beings with weapons or
even their hands.
As far as toy weapons for younger kids. I would make the 2y.o. a
boffer style weapon that won't hurt anyone if he hits them. A 2y.o.
just doesn't have the understanding to use a hurtful toy
appropriately. Jalen did get wooden swords and such, but I stayed very
close to him while he had it out.
You can make boffers out of pvc pipe and pipe insulation (wrapped with
duct tape) and they can engage in duels safely that way.
OR, make a standing target for him to practice on....so he isn't
tempted to use his brother as such.:) I would still do the dishes and
whatnot, just have the older one come with you while you are
distracted. That way, if the 2y.o. tries to hit him with it, the 5y.o.
is right there near you. That's only an occasional tool, but when you
really need to get something done that might help.
We've purchased a lot of plastic, wood and real swords over the years.
They aren't two forever and it will get easier. In the meantime, just
find him some things that are ok to hit and redirect him to those.
Ren
learninginfreedom.com
Deb
--- In [email protected], "Ren Allen"
<starsuncloud@...> wrote:
to fit inside the noodle - typically, we cut the 6' size noodles in
half and use 3' lengths of PVC. Leave part of the PVC sticking out for
a handle (electrical tape the end of the noodle to the handle) and
tape the other end for a distance of about 6" to reinforce it since
there's nothing inside that end - having the end of the noodle be
hollow also limits the bruising if someone gets hit smack on with it,
it'll give slightly.
--Deb
<starsuncloud@...> wrote:
>Or use the PVC and pool noodles - get PVC that is the right diameter
>
> You can make boffers out of pvc pipe and pipe insulation (wrapped
>with
> duct tape) and they can engage in duels safely that way.
to fit inside the noodle - typically, we cut the 6' size noodles in
half and use 3' lengths of PVC. Leave part of the PVC sticking out for
a handle (electrical tape the end of the noodle to the handle) and
tape the other end for a distance of about 6" to reinforce it since
there's nothing inside that end - having the end of the noodle be
hollow also limits the bruising if someone gets hit smack on with it,
it'll give slightly.
--Deb
Melissa
Also, now is a good time, since it's the end of summer, to buy the
noodles for the pool. They slip right over the end of a wooden sword.
We keep a length already cut, and if they look like they're going to
fight fight, then we say something like "It looks like you guys want
to battle, lets get on our protective gear". At three and five yo
they both need reminders of that. So their swords have foam, and they
wear their bike helmets . Sam went so far as to 'commission' his
sister Rachel to make some armor out of coke boxes. It's padded and
has duct tape all over the outside for designs. She even researched
dragons to find the perfect one for him, cut it out of duct tape and
stuck it on his shield. He paid her in shiny rocks and playdough
coins he minted himeself ;-)
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
noodles for the pool. They slip right over the end of a wooden sword.
We keep a length already cut, and if they look like they're going to
fight fight, then we say something like "It looks like you guys want
to battle, lets get on our protective gear". At three and five yo
they both need reminders of that. So their swords have foam, and they
wear their bike helmets . Sam went so far as to 'commission' his
sister Rachel to make some armor out of coke boxes. It's padded and
has duct tape all over the outside for designs. She even researched
dragons to find the perfect one for him, cut it out of duct tape and
stuck it on his shield. He paid her in shiny rocks and playdough
coins he minted himeself ;-)
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo.com/multimomma
On Oct 17, 2006, at 11:32 AM, Ren Allen wrote:
> You can make boffers out of pvc pipe and pipe insulation (wrapped with
> duct tape) and they can engage in duels safely that way.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Vickisue Gray
Ren, you just described our house. We actually have a shooting range and host skeet shooting gatherings. All my kids have had weapons training and firearms education. My 16 dd, has a collection of throwing knives, hatchets, and stars. My spouse has a collection of blowguns among his other various collections. We even shoot air balls with airzookas and megazookas (this one is great for the 2yo as he can learn to cock it) *** My spouse highly reccommends the air and mega zookas**** We have paint balls, airsofts, trapshooting, bows & arrows, crossbows, bow-staffs, to name a few <g, does anyone see a continuation of my spouses playground?> If it's a boy toy, we got it (I think).
The funny thing is that my 8yo ds still has his preferred stick sword and a curved stick that was made into a bow. Those are still his favorites over all the plastic guns, light sabers, wooden swords, airsofts or real weapons. Guess weapons isn't really a big thing here, as they don't compare to the remote control airplanes, trucks, cars, boats and submarines, etc...
As for the hitting, if they hit someone, they lost the toy. Period. After awhile, they may get it back. Very rarely was there a repeat offense. Airsofts are fun, however being hit in the eye could cost you your sight. Therefore, strict rules are to be followed for everyone's safety and fun.
Ren, my spouse loved your idea of the padded weapons. He will be creating padded jousting sticks with my son for their birthdays!
I need more storage.
----- Original Message ----
From: Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 12:32:56 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Dangerous toys--favorite toys
"I don't see weapons as being toys."
I don't either....not real weapons anyway. But we have some very
realistic looking airsoft guns around here that are toys. If you
didn't have the orange tip on them (required for realistic toy
weapons) it would be hard to tell the difference between the toy and
the real thing.
We play with toy weapons. My backyard is becoming an airsoft field.
Jared and John (good friend) have been shooting back there frequently.
Not only at targets but at each other. Eventually we'll all have guns
and play shooting games with them.
Kids are smart. They know the difference between shooting a toy weapon
(realistic looking or not) and the damage a real weapon can do. My
children have no desire to harm other human beings with weapons or
even their hands.
As far as toy weapons for younger kids. I would make the 2y.o. a
boffer style weapon that won't hurt anyone if he hits them. A 2y.o.
just doesn't have the understanding to use a hurtful toy
appropriately. Jalen did get wooden swords and such, but I stayed very
close to him while he had it out.
You can make boffers out of pvc pipe and pipe insulation (wrapped with
duct tape) and they can engage in duels safely that way.
OR, make a standing target for him to practice on....so he isn't
tempted to use his brother as such.:) I would still do the dishes and
whatnot, just have the older one come with you while you are
distracted. That way, if the 2y.o. tries to hit him with it, the 5y.o.
is right there near you. That's only an occasional tool, but when you
really need to get something done that might help.
We've purchased a lot of plastic, wood and real swords over the years.
They aren't two forever and it will get easier. In the meantime, just
find him some things that are ok to hit and redirect him to those.
Ren
learninginfreedom. com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
The funny thing is that my 8yo ds still has his preferred stick sword and a curved stick that was made into a bow. Those are still his favorites over all the plastic guns, light sabers, wooden swords, airsofts or real weapons. Guess weapons isn't really a big thing here, as they don't compare to the remote control airplanes, trucks, cars, boats and submarines, etc...
As for the hitting, if they hit someone, they lost the toy. Period. After awhile, they may get it back. Very rarely was there a repeat offense. Airsofts are fun, however being hit in the eye could cost you your sight. Therefore, strict rules are to be followed for everyone's safety and fun.
Ren, my spouse loved your idea of the padded weapons. He will be creating padded jousting sticks with my son for their birthdays!
I need more storage.
----- Original Message ----
From: Ren Allen <starsuncloud@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 12:32:56 PM
Subject: [unschoolingbasics] Dangerous toys--favorite toys
"I don't see weapons as being toys."
I don't either....not real weapons anyway. But we have some very
realistic looking airsoft guns around here that are toys. If you
didn't have the orange tip on them (required for realistic toy
weapons) it would be hard to tell the difference between the toy and
the real thing.
We play with toy weapons. My backyard is becoming an airsoft field.
Jared and John (good friend) have been shooting back there frequently.
Not only at targets but at each other. Eventually we'll all have guns
and play shooting games with them.
Kids are smart. They know the difference between shooting a toy weapon
(realistic looking or not) and the damage a real weapon can do. My
children have no desire to harm other human beings with weapons or
even their hands.
As far as toy weapons for younger kids. I would make the 2y.o. a
boffer style weapon that won't hurt anyone if he hits them. A 2y.o.
just doesn't have the understanding to use a hurtful toy
appropriately. Jalen did get wooden swords and such, but I stayed very
close to him while he had it out.
You can make boffers out of pvc pipe and pipe insulation (wrapped with
duct tape) and they can engage in duels safely that way.
OR, make a standing target for him to practice on....so he isn't
tempted to use his brother as such.:) I would still do the dishes and
whatnot, just have the older one come with you while you are
distracted. That way, if the 2y.o. tries to hit him with it, the 5y.o.
is right there near you. That's only an occasional tool, but when you
really need to get something done that might help.
We've purchased a lot of plastic, wood and real swords over the years.
They aren't two forever and it will get easier. In the meantime, just
find him some things that are ok to hit and redirect him to those.
Ren
learninginfreedom. com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Vickisue Gray
So cool. I forgot...when my son and nephew were that little, we just gave them both half a noodle for swords.
That works rather well just by itself.
(Now you all have my spouse contemplating how to make children's armour. He has extensive knowledge of composites and is wondering how he can apply this in a new occupation of childrens custom armour design.)
----- Original Message ----
From: Melissa <autismhelp@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 1:33:17 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Dangerous toys--favorite toys
Also, now is a good time, since it's the end of summer, to buy the
noodles for the pool. They slip right over the end of a wooden sword.
We keep a length already cut, and if they look like they're going to
fight fight, then we say something like "It looks like you guys want
to battle, lets get on our protective gear". At three and five yo
they both need reminders of that. So their swords have foam, and they
wear their bike helmets . Sam went so far as to 'commission' his
sister Rachel to make some armor out of coke boxes. It's padded and
has duct tape all over the outside for designs. She even researched
dragons to find the perfect one for him, cut it out of duct tape and
stuck it on his shield. He paid her in shiny rocks and playdough
coins he minted himeself ;-)
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo com/multimomma
That works rather well just by itself.
(Now you all have my spouse contemplating how to make children's armour. He has extensive knowledge of composites and is wondering how he can apply this in a new occupation of childrens custom armour design.)
----- Original Message ----
From: Melissa <autismhelp@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2006 1:33:17 PM
Subject: Re: [unschoolingbasics] Dangerous toys--favorite toys
Also, now is a good time, since it's the end of summer, to buy the
noodles for the pool. They slip right over the end of a wooden sword.
We keep a length already cut, and if they look like they're going to
fight fight, then we say something like "It looks like you guys want
to battle, lets get on our protective gear". At three and five yo
they both need reminders of that. So their swords have foam, and they
wear their bike helmets . Sam went so far as to 'commission' his
sister Rachel to make some armor out of coke boxes. It's padded and
has duct tape all over the outside for designs. She even researched
dragons to find the perfect one for him, cut it out of duct tape and
stuck it on his shield. He paid her in shiny rocks and playdough
coins he minted himeself ;-)
Melissa
Mom to Josh (11), Breanna (9), Emily (7), Rachel (6), Sam (5), Dan
(3), and Avari Rose
share our lives at
http://360.yahoo com/multimomma
On Oct 17, 2006, at 11:32 AM, Ren Allen wrote:
> You can make boffers out of pvc pipe and pipe insulation (wrapped with
> duct tape) and they can engage in duels safely that way.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Johanna
Wow, you are all so incredibly creative, and it's not even THAT
creative. I must have totally lost my ability to be creative - I'm
learning again. When I read the post about the dangerous toys I
thought like – there is no solution! What the hell will they answer now!
Protect the stupid swords! Get helmets! Make the kids armours! How
easy! How fun! Duh!
:-)
Greetings
Johanna
Am 17.10.2006 um 19:33 schrieb Melissa:
creative. I must have totally lost my ability to be creative - I'm
learning again. When I read the post about the dangerous toys I
thought like – there is no solution! What the hell will they answer now!
Protect the stupid swords! Get helmets! Make the kids armours! How
easy! How fun! Duh!
:-)
Greetings
Johanna
Am 17.10.2006 um 19:33 schrieb Melissa:
> Also, now is a good time, since it's the end of summer, to buy the
> noodles for the pool. They slip right over the end of a wooden sword.
> We keep a length already cut, and if they look like they're going to
> fight fight, then we say something like "It looks like you guys want
> to battle, lets get on our protective gear". At three and five yo
> they both need reminders of that. So their swords have foam, and they
> wear their bike helmets .