InRoad Toys sent me some PlayTape to test out in my classroom, and it gets my thumbs up. I get a lot of requests for product reviews, and I don’t like to flood my blog with products so I pass on many of them. However, I thought PlayTape was worthy of the attention. The kids in my class loved it!
We got a brand new train set this year, and within weeks, the children had already broken 4 of the wooden tracks. PlayTape comes in rail and road designs. It can be placed directly on the carpet, but I decided to stick it on some of our wooden blocks, which gave us more durable train tracks as well as roads. The tape is removable without leaving a residue, but also has enough adhesive that it has lasted two weeks and counting on the blocks without coming off.
I like that it encourages play, imagination, creativity, and cooperation.
You could also use PlayTape as a lesson by making shapes on the floor with the tape: rectangle, triangle, square, rhombus, hexagon. Teach children the names of the shapes as they drive their cars and trains around the shapes.
I also had the idea to stick some of the road tape and train tape onto paper. I’ll use these in February when we do our Transportation theme and have the children draw pictures of trains or cars on the paper.
Disclosure: I received free PlayTape, but was not compensated in any other way. All opinions are my own.
Where can you buy play tape from? It looks like fun and would be fun to use with the kids. Great to get there imagination going and seems like an endless product.
From In Road Toys: http://www.inroadtoys.com
Also Amazon.com
Play tape looks awesome! Thanks for sharing it! I am ordering it now.
Hi,
I like the idea of playtape. Great creative and should be fun for children as I am workings with the children in school.
Karen,
Hi! What an “Awesome” idea using the tape on the blocks or with shapes!! Thank you for sharing your ideas as always. Can’t wait to try it:)
Thanks,
Betty
This is absolutely a brilliant idea! I will definitely utilize play tape! Thanks again for sharing another one of your excellent creativity,keep up the great work.
Thanks,
Sabrina
This tape looks like a good thing to try. Thanks for sharing your evaluation. I have not used tape on the floor recently but there was a time when I used masking tape. What a mess! I thought I would never get it all off! If this comes off easily from carpeting it should be a winner. I like that the design is on the tape and you can see the road or the track. Thanks! Frances
It works wonderful my kiddos love it!
I love your site. Just came out of school ,I read child education. Today is my first day as a kg teacher. I know I would love it.
Great idea Karen, Thanx for sharing. Love the idea of using it to teach shapes. Will definitely give this a try.
Hi Karen,
What a lovely idea. It looks attractive and it would save a lot of time for my teachers too …… when they need to create tracks or road etc during their relevant themes. Thank you for sharing your ideas as always.
Cheers,
sara
Does the block tape leave sticky residue behind when taken off?
Hi Misty, It did not leave a residue, but considering I’ve only had it on for about 2 weeks, I don’t know what the long term effects would be. It’s not an extremely sticky tape — sticky enough to stay, but not a lot of adhesive. It kind of reminds me of a post-it note, but a bit stickier. You have a beautiful site, btw.
I love the idea of the tape. I have several little guys that run directly to the cars and trains during our “free choice” time. This would simply add more enthusiasm for their road play activities. Please let me know how to order it.
I provided the link in the post above, but here it is again: http://www.inroadtoys.com
It is also sold on Amazon.
Karen thanks for all you do and share! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Monica little Horizons Nursery school, Maine
I like the idea of play tape .I love your classroom centers.Your ideas are always awesome.Big thank You for Sharing.
I have been told that trains are not to be a part of block play when scored by ECERS. My question is if you put tape on blocks will the state allow this activity? Is it considered block building?
I’m not familiar with ECERS myself. I have always had trains in my block center. Perhaps someone else here will be able to answer your question.
Why wouldn’t it ? That is very odd…. My kiddos actually built a bridge above the tracks! Just saying! Monica from Maine
I bought the tape for my grandson for Christmas. We don’t have blocks so I’m going to expand on your idea of putting it on paper. I plan on cutting and laminating paper and put the tape on the laminated pieces or maybe put the play tape on the paper and then laminate and then cut apart. Hmmmm.