Today was one of those days. I had a block order to get out before the post office closed (in 2 hours). While trying to put the package together, the baby was hungry and fussy. Of course I couldn’t get the label to print. Cameron (7) was begging me to play just one level of his Mario game with him. Melia (4) wanted breakfast and was whining she was was “super hungry”. I had not even showered yet. There was no way I was making my deadline.

It felt like one of those moments you see in a movie where everything is spinning around you in slow motion. All you can do is stand there and watch it all happen, completely out of control!

My husband, David, stepped in and took over with the label. I got the baby settled and she was eating. Melia had gotten herself a yogurt. As I was finally ready to slip away to get ready to leave, Sienna got really fussy again. She was ready for a nap.

As all of us mom’s know, we seem to be the ones that “do” best. So David came in with his plea. He would hit up the post office and go grab us all lunch if I would take over with the baby. OK. Why not?! I knew if I didn’t take that deal, the baby would still be awake crying when I got back. That’s just how she rolls. Then to top it off, everyone would be begging for lunch.

David came back with Wendy’s kids meals! The kids opened their bags and started eating. Digging for the toys to see what was inside. They were mystified by the box (thought it was chicken nuggets).

I have to say I’m not usually a fan of the toys you get inside any kids meals! Minions that mumble, superheros in cars, mini Barbies, and plastic Bratz jewelry accessories. All of it annoying crap that the kids refuse to throw away. I usually have to do so when they aren’t around to notice…then lie when they realize they can’t find it.

Well, today was different! Today was the first time I have ever been impressed by a kids meal toy! Way to go Wendy’s! Note: I have not been compensated. These are solely my thoughts.

They are giving away little boxes with old playground games. We got capture the flag/kick the can and sidewalk chalk. From their website, it looks like tag and foursquare are the other two options. The marketing around these toys is all around creative outside play. Inside each box are some ideas around how they can play with the item. Then they have a section on their website where they offer a couple of additional ideas. Awesome!

At first, I was a little worried that Melia got the chalk. We have lots of sidewalk chalk. The kids do play with it, but I thought she was going to feel slighted. That was not the case! It was actually the insert in the chalk box that inspired my kids to (brace yourself) ASK TO GO OUTSIDE WITHOUT BEING TOLD TO!! I about fell on the floor!

What got them was the idea to draw their own toy car town. We moved the cars out of the drive way and they went to work drawing roads, bridges, buildings, and a beach. The lugged out their toy cars and some of their play buildings. A new way to use their chalk! They were outside AND having fun.

I started scoping the website. Had never thought about building mazes with chalk. Will be thinking about how to implement that for future ideas! And they modify the kick the can game for 2 players on their website, which was different than what I was suggesting to the kids for a modification.

What started out as a rough day, ended up not being so bad. Thanks Wendy’s kids meal for giving my kids a toy that I won’t be looking to throw away tomorrow! I’m hoping it will inspire more hours of outside play.

Anyone else discovered these toys yet? Or others that are worth having?