Play, movement, and engagement in the classroom is SO important. Over the years I have found so many toys and resources for my classroom to encourage these things, and some fall flat. I was gifted these beautiful, flexible roads from Way to Play Toys, and I want to be clear that this is review is truly my honest opinion.
First impression
The Way to Play roads came in this super compact box, which I know is where they will always live. It’s the perfect size and holds all of the pieces perfectly. I can tell that this is one of those sets where kids will be using them CONSTANTLY – so you want to make sure not to lose any of the pieces!
My set of Way to Play Roads did not come with a car, but we used this cute little teal car from our Lovevery Pioneer set to play. It was perfect. Way to Play sells wooden cars as pictured on the front of the box, but you could truly use any car, figurine, train, truck, etc. to explore and play with the roads.
Upon opening the set, it’s obvious how high quality the roads are. I LOVE that they are flexible. These will work easily on any surface, they are sensory friendly for our students who are averse to unique textures or toys that make noise when they are set on hard surfaces.
The set has multiple road shapes so children can make bends, round abouts, and straight aways. This really got me thinking about how much we can use this set in our classrooms!
Ideas for use
1.) Sight word practice
I love the idea of having students write down spelling, vocabulary, or sight words on post-its or index cards. Students can buddy-up and read, spell, or define the words when their car rolls over it. This would be a really fun center and could easily be paired with a worksheet or app so students can practice writing/typing, too!
2.) Flexible thinking exposure
Many of our kiddos struggle with flexible thinking and responding to change. Additionally, playing with another person’s ideas in mind. Switching up the pieces to the road (ex: “The curve is gone, now it’s a straightaway!” or “Uh oh, looks like they built a round-about!”) while playing can help students learn to accept change and another person’s way of play.
3.) Emotion practice
I love the idea of putting these photo flash cards on the Way to Play roads and having students label the emotion, share a time they felt this way, act out the emotion (etc) when their car crosses over it. This is a fun way to keep practice fun, engaging, and authentic for students.
Literacy connection
I love connecting play to books! Here are a few books that could easily jive with the Way to Play roads to create an engaging theme. (affiliate links)
All in all, I definitely suggest adding Way to Play roads to your classroom toy collection. They are high quality, super durable, easy to clean/sanitize, and can provide social skills and academic engagement to your classroom literally EVERY day! Follow WaytoPlay on instagram here.
