The Chirping Moms

A Fun “ABC” Playdate, featuring Leapfrog LeapReader!

The Chirping Moms and families reunited this past weekend for a fun-packed weekend in New Jersey. Our weekend was filled with family dinners together, birthday parties, playing in the backyard, and of course we snuck away for a little “Ladies’ Night Out”.  But of course we had to co-host a kid’s party, just like old times!  

This was a play date with a little educational twist, it was time for a special “ABC learning” party!  I was really excited about this opportunity, as a former teacher, because I am always looking for fun and new ways to help teach my son how to read.  We were excited to be selected to try out the new Reading and Writing system from Leapfrog, the LeapReader.  “LeapReader is the complete learn-to-read-and-write solution that combines three essential literacy skills: reading, writing and listening. By practicing them together, children can practice the skills they need to help them become confident, independent readers.”   Courtney and I combined our strengths to create this fun party. She used her master party planning skills while I used my “elementary teaching background” to create a fun AND educational party for our little ones: the “Leapfrog Ready, Set, Read & Write” party for kids.  


Set Up:

We had a lot of fun setting up the party!  We set up a little desk in the playroom where the kids could practice their reading and writing. 

 

On the desk, we included foam alphabet stickers, markers, and construction paper so each child could make their own name sign.
We included some printable worksheets from Leapfrog.  You can find a great selection of free printables on the Leapfrog website here.  
And we included a LeapReader Disney Pixar Monsters University book with 3D glasses for the kids to look at.  The kids loved using the glasses to watch the pictures “pop” out at them while they read the book with the LeapReader.  
We set up a little reading nook on the other side of the playroom where kids could take a little break from the party to look at LeapReader books, using the new LeapReader.   
This is a great idea for any party with little ones because we all know that young children can easily get overstimulated and it’s great to have a little area where they can just relax and refresh from all the fun!

Food:
We scheduled our “Ready, Set, Read, & Write” party to include lunch and we had lots of fun coming up with some unique “learning” foods.  
We cut out the sandwiches into fun shapes using cookie cutters, such as heart, hippo, flower, dinosaur, and more.  
Each child received a plate with a letter on it and they had to find the sandwich shape that matched their plate.  For example, D is for Dinosaur!  

The kids were really excited to taste the special “frog” juice which was actually green Powerade!

Each child could easily find their cup because it was labeled with the first letter of their name, such as  “A is for Aiden”.  It made it a lot easier to figure out whose drink was whose!

And for special treats, we included “C is for Cookies”, “J is for Jellybeans”, and “O is for O-Ring Gummies”.  

We included some fun activities in our Leapreader “Ready, Set, Read & Write” party.  
Activity One:  Story Time
We started out our party by introducing the children to the new LeapReader pen by reading a simple story in the Read, Write, and Listen 123ABC book! The kids loved touching the LeapReader to the page as they listened to the story.  At the bottom of the page there are activity icons that engage the children to think about and answer questions about the story.  The LeapReader not only “reads” to the child but challenges children to think about what they heard with the activities that are included on each page.
Activity Two:  Letter Bingo
For this activity, you need the following supplies:
  • Scrabble Letter Cheez-its
  • Letter Bingo Set (We found ours for $1 at the local dollar store!)
  • Little Treats for the Winner

The kids LOVED Letter Bingo, especially using crackers as the BINGO tiles, and it is a fun way to practice letters with the children.  To challenge the kids more, you could say the letter sound and they would have to find the matching letter.  Or have them find the letter and tell you the matching sound!  

Activity Three:  Alphabet Dough

To do this activity, we would have a child use the LeapReader pen touch the page on the “ABC Snack Time” page in the LeapReader Get Ready for Kindergarten book.  All of the children would have to use their listening ears to hear the letter.  Then, each child had to make that letter using their play-dough. 

The kids had a lot of fun shaping the play dough into the letter shapes and what a great way to practice letter and fine motor skills at the same time!
After all the fun “learning” games, we let the kids head outside and enjoy some time running around  with their friends.  Each kid went home with their own Rockstar certificate!  
 We had so much fun hosting the “Leapfrog Ready, Set, Read & Write” party for kids.  The LeapReader was a hit with the children AND parents.  The LeapReader is a fabulous tool to teach children to read books, write letters, and practice their listening comprehension skills.  There are so many additional great resources that sync with the LeapReader, such as the Writing Workbooks, Interactive Flashcards, and many of the Leapfrog Tag materials as well.  We love the Leapreader and are excited to find such a fun, educational tool to aid in teaching our children to read!  

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We have received free Leapfrog products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty.  The opinions expressed here are my own.


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Comments

  2. We used this Leapfrog pen when DD was little.. she used to have fun sounding out the words with it. Loved the idea of Alphabet dough.. must have been fun for the kids 🙂
    Stopping by from Mom's library link.
    -Reshama @ Stackingbooks.com

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