A quick idea for preschool amusement and learning: Take a metal cookie sheet or pizza pan, preferably with a small rim around the entire edge, and stick a number of fridge-magnet letters and numbers to it. It makes a great “tablet” for spelling and counting, especially during dinner prep when the fridge is unavailable for play. You could also use this when you travel, or as an activity for a child who is sick in bed.
Variations on the theme:
- Use a wide, shallow holiday-cookie tin to give you both a flat surface (the lid) and a storage container.
- Paint the tray with chalkboard paint to create a combination chalkboard and magnet board. (Haven’t tried this myself, but a friend recommends it. I’m guessing it works best on plain pans, not non-stick ones.)