Do you have questions about our Stay at Home, Play at Home monthly activity kits? We have answers!
What are Stay at Home, Play at Home activity kits?
The kits are designed to give families with children ages 0-5 a set of activities that encourage learning through play and positive family interaction. New kits are offered monthly to inspire new and fresh ideas as families spend more time at home during the pandemic.
The kits include activity instructions, most of the supplies needed to complete the activities, and a new book. Since the pandemic hit Mid-Missouri, First Chance has given out 100-150 kits to families every month. One kit per family is offered at no cost while supplies last.
Why is this important?
Equipping families to play and spend time together, especially during this pandemic, is a priority for our organization. Families often rely on programs like our Lend and Learn Toy Library to enhance their child’s learning and developmental skills. Activity kits can relieve one pressure parents of young children may have about supplying fun, enriching materials for their child to engage in new learning opportunities for their growth.
Play is essential for a child’s wellbeing. Through play, children develop new motor, emotional, social, cognitive, and communication skills. Spending positive moments together are proven to make a BIG impact on a child’s future and lower stress for everyone in the family. The kits provide families with new opportunities to create, laugh, talk, move, eat, cook, go outside, read, and play together at home.
What does an activity kit include?
All the activity instructions, supplies, and a new children’s book fit into a single take-home bag! For example, in November, the theme is Everyday Moments Matter with instructions and supplies to bake a muffin mix, read a book, explore new skills using kitchen utensils, and play family games around the kitchen table.
How do I sign up?
If this is your first time participating in a First Chance program or activity, fill out our online enrollment form:
Once you are signed up, you will receive email notifications when our newest kits are available.
How do I pick up a kit?
Families may pick up a kit during our weekly curbside pick up hours: Tuesdays 9am-11am & Thursdays 1pm-3pm. When you have arrived at the First Chance office parking lot at 1010 Fay St, text/call Charity (573-340-1341), and she will bring the activity kit to your car. Kit delivery is also available by request to families in Boone County.
Families may also download and print kit activities from home:
What are families saying about the activity kits?
“I was feeling stuck this morning, so I pulled out the calendar of suggested outdoor activities from the kit you sent home with us. Thanks for helping us out when the doldrums hit!”
“Omg!! Just got home…what an awesome kit you all are providing!! And the books too! Thank you so much!”
“The kit was such a wonderful gift to our family. My preschooler adored all of the activities and it made for such rich learning experiences, conversations, and family time for us.”
“Thank you so much! Wow these books are beautiful. I’m just so grateful for you and your organization! This is excellent.”
“My kids absolutely loved it and have made me read the book about 15 times already!”