99 Invitations to Play

FINALLY... 99 play ideas that actually keep your child engaged! 
No complicated activities. Just simple, open-ended setups that lead to real independent play.


 Looking for EASY open-ended play ideas that you can try today?

  Want to drink your coffee hot while your kids play peacefully?

This book is for you!

ALL the EASY ideas you need in one place. 

Stop planning activities. Start inviting play. 

I'm here to help overwhelmed parents stop feeling like full-time entertainers and start getting real breaks — by using simple play setups that actually keep kids engaged.

Play Was Never Meant to Be This Hard.
All the play ideas you need to support play — without planning, pressure, or doing more.

99 Invitations to Play

All the EASY play ideas you need to get your kids playing more today!
Ebook Includes:
  • 162 Pages
  • 99 open-ended play ideas with photos
  • troubleshooting guide
  • discussion board

100% satisfaction guarantee

If play has started to feel like one more thing you have to manage, you’re not alone.

What most of us were never taught is that play doesn’t need more direction.

It needs LESS.

Write your awesome label here.
Write your awesome label here.

The 99 Invitations to Play ebook gives you 99 easy, open-ended play ideas that spark curiosity and help kids dive into play—no elaborate prep and no directing required.

Step out of constant activity-planning and into a calmer, more sustainable way of supporting play.

Inside 99 Invitations to Play, you’ll learn how to:

• Shift away from adult-led activities and toward simple invitations to play

• Use everyday toys and materials to create small moments of curiosity

• Do less without feeling guilty

You’ll find 99 play ideas that all take less than 2 minutes to set up!

Included in the book:

• 15 Chapters: organized into 3 easy-to-skim sections: The Power of Play, Invitations, & Troubleshooting
• 99 invitation to play: EASY, open-ended play ideas using what you have. No more scrambling to come up with ideas!
• Discussion Board: log on to the book portal to ask questions and share ideas with other parents!

Designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 3+

Get the Invitations to Play ebook!  →

Immediate access • Start sparking play today

Is this book for me?

If you’re a parent to kids ages 3+ looking for simple, open-ended play ideas, then...

YES, this book is for you!

Stop with all the activities that take a ton of prep and must be done in a certain way. Instead, spark curiosity with play invitations!

What Parents Are Saying


"When I first bought this, I honestly felt a little disappointed. The ideas felt almost too simple, and I kept thinking, ‘That’s it?’ I was expecting more activity type stuff. But after a few days, I realized that was kind of the point. I had been doing way too much. The book helped me step back, and even though not every invitation worked, play stopped feeling like my job to manage all day. That mindset shift alone was worth it for me."
Sam, mom to a 4 year old
"If you're looking for ideas, this book is for you! They're all pretty basic but not things I would've thought of and just cool enough to get kids interested. My kids are now playing with things they've ignored for a while."
Ryan, dad to 5 year olds
"I love all the ideas and photos! Those are super helpful. I didn't want to set up activities all the time, but wasn't sure what to do instead, and then I found this book! I'm now skimming it all the time for ideas. I like that most things are pretty adaptable, so I can swap things out for what we have."
Liz, mom of 2
“I already believed in child-led play, but I wasn’t actually practicing it at home. I was still setting everything up and explaining what to do. This book reminded me that I don't need to do that. I’ve been stepping back more, and my kids are slowly getting better at deciding what to do on their own.”
Lauren, teacher and mom
"The idea of invitations to play was new to me, and I love it! Love how quick and easy it is to set things up and that the ideas leave room for my daughter to play however she'd like!"
Hanna, mom to a 3 year old
"Easy read, fun ideas. Simple, but they do actually work!"
Summer, mom of 3
"
This course helped me connect the dots in a way I hadn’t before. It’s not about doing nothing, it’s about doing the right things at the right time. That clarity was incredibly helpful.”
Clay B. 

“I used to think my toddler just couldn't play by herself. After this, I realized she just needs practice, and I need to set things up differently. I now celebrate every small win, knowing she's growing her play skills!
Sofia T. 

"OMG I am so happy to not be spending all my time setting up crafts and activities! The course gave me permission to do less and I really needed that. My kids have started play on their own more and more."
Callie A. 

Try It Without Pressure

If you read Invitations to Play and realize it just isn’t for you, email me within 7 days, and I’ll refund your purchase.
No questions.
No hoops.
This book is meant to help, not add another thing to your plate.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this book for?

Parents, caregivers, and teachers of kids ages 3+.

Feeling like a constant entertainer and wishing your kids played more without you? This book is for YOU!

Invitations will look different depending on age and stage, but the underlying approach applies across early childhood.

How are invitations to play different from activities?

Invitations to play are child-led, open-ended, and have no set outcome. Instead of telling a child what to do or how to do it, the adult simply presents interesting materials and steps back, allowing the child to explore in their own way.

Activities are typically adult-directed, follow instructions, and aim for a specific result.

With invitations to play, the process matters more than the product, children stay engaged longer, and adults can support play without constant direction or time-intensive setup.

Do I need special toys or materials?

Nope! The invitations in this book are designed to use things you already have. The focus is on how materials are presented, not on buying more.

What if my child ignores the invitations?

That’s completely normal! Invitations are not meant to guarantee play. They’re meant to offer the opportunity for it.

Sometimes a child engages. Sometimes they don’t. Both experiences are part of learning how to direct their own time.

This book includes guidance on how to respond without taking over or feeling discouraged.

How long does it take to try one?

Most invitations take a minute or two to set up. You can try one the same day you download the book.

Is this book right for me if I'm already taking your independent play course?

Yes!

This book is a perfect companion to The Independent Play Blueprint. These invitations will further suppor children in playing independently when used in conjunction with the tools learned in the course. 

Start Smaller Than You Think

You don’t need better activities.
 You don’t need to try harder.
 And you don’t need to manage play all day.

Sometimes the most helpful shift is doing less — on purpose.

99 Invitations to Play is a simple place to begin. It helps you step out of adult-directed activities and into a gentler way of offering play, one small invitation at a time.

You can download it instantly.
 You can try one idea today.

If you’re ready to simplify and start differently, this book is here for you.
Read now!

All the ideas you need to start sparking play today!

Stop with the activities in favor of creative play. 

COurse Creator

In case we haven't met yet...

Hi, I’m Laurel (M.Ed.)!

I’m an early childhood educator, parenting coach, and long-time advocate of child-led play. Not because I love cute curated activities, but because I’ve seen what happens when children are truly given the space to direct themselves.

For over 15 years, I’ve worked closely with young children and their parents as a teacher and coach. Again and again, I noticed the same pattern: adults worked incredibly hard to support play, yet felt exhausted and unsure when to step back.

Children were incredibly creative ehn given the space. That observation changed the way I approached play. I moved from directing children to facilitating their environments, and the difference was immediate. Play deepened. Children became more confident and creative. And adults finally had room to breathe.

I hold a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and am a Certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. But more than that, my work is grounded in daily, real-life observation, watching what actually helps play grow and what unintentionally gets in the way.

Today, I create courses and resources for parents and caregivers who want to raise kind, capable, resilient children.

My goal is simple: To help parents do less in ways that truly support children more.
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