Thriving in Outdoor Play
I always dreamed of the day where I would have children that loved to play outdoors. I’ve arrived at that place where my children love nothing more than digging in the dirt and drawing pictures in the mug with a stick. They are are in their element among nature. I know this. The practical mom of three in me though winces at the idea of the extra laundry and bath times but I let them play freely anyways.
I’ll admit though, I’m guilty of regularly deeming most toys “inside toys” and asking them to leave them inside so they don’t get dirtied or ruined. Sometimes this rule of thumb makes sense but other times it’s less about the toy that can be cleaned. It’s more about the work it makes for me to let it go back outside and clean it enough to come back inside again. We have outdoor toys but there’s times I just need to say yes more to taking other toys outside too.
Sometimes, with three kids, it’s easier to be a “no mom” instead of a “yes mom” sheerly out of convenience instead of practicality. I’ve recognized this and am readjusting my sails to going back to my initial parenting model. There’s nothing I want more than my children to thrive in experiencing the earth.
Childhood comes once and creating an environment for them to be free and thrive. This has always been a core component of childhood I want my children to experience. There’s freedom in saying yes, even when I begrudgingly want to say no out of convenience. 
We recently were sent the new John Deere Monster Wheels Tractor with Wagon and Loader from TOMY to try out. Our boy was thrilled with his tractor and we’ve been playing with it indoors for the past several weeks. He loves the option of pulling it along with the wagon. He’ll unhitch it, fill it up with the front end loader.
Sometimes, enough is enough, and it’s time to just take the toys outside.
This Monster Treads tractor has durable rubber oversized tires and a removable grain cart. I decided it was time to let it go outdoors. Out it went with my little guy and I found him having so much fun. The tractor dug in the dirt and mulch with his little hands. Then he placed his findings in the grain cart with the front end scoop, raising and lowering it. He was free to be in his own world. His imagination ran wild and there was a beautiful sense of freedom and contentment within him.
What we think of the John Deere Monster Wheels Tractor.
Our family has really enjoyed the John Deere Monster Wheels Tractor. It has so many moving joints and parts that it allow creative thinking and imagination. There’s no small parts so the baby can play along side the older two. It’s a quiet toy without any lights or sounds making it perfect for every day play no matter the time or place.
The scoop and grain wagon make for great motor skills and problem solving during play time. The tractor and wagon can be separate or one piece allowing a variety of play options. The adapters on both pieces are basic making them easily attachable to other toys for extended imaginative play, as well! The tires are a soft, squeezable rubber making them flexible among different terrain but also soft for play time, all while being durable during playtime excursions.
WE;ve played with out John Deere Monster Wheels Tractor on the hard wood floor, carpeted floors, mulch, grass and dirt. We’ve been impressed with it on all terrains. The imagination options are endless and playtime has included this toy many times over the last couple of weeks. It’s an easy to clean toy making it easy to wash it with some water and Thieves cleaner then bringing it back inside before it’s next imaginative play time excursions outdoors.
If you’ve been looking for a fun, versatile toy for your kiddos you can find the John Deere Monster Wheels Tractor at a variety of retailers including your local Walmart.
I’ll let them play.
After seeing the joy of letting my kids play with their favorite toys outdoors, I let go of the reigns a bit. I’ve decided to let them combine their toys and love of nature. Knowing how much my kids thrive outdoors, it really only makes sense. And truth be told, I love the extra imagination I see in their play time indoors vs outdoors. So, I’ll put in the work and put in a little extra elbow grease to watch them thrive even more. After all, anything that goes outdoors are just toys.
