From Friction to Connection: Play Decoded

A 5-part Frogs in Mugs course for parents who want to understand play, use it to ease daily friction, and discover their own play style.

Play is how children make sense of the world. It is how they explore, communicate, practise new skills, express feelings, connect with us, and recover from daily stress.

Yet as parents, we're surrounded by conflicting advice. So what does actually count as play? Is one kind of play better than another? Should we join in, or step back and encourage independent play? Why does a child love one activity and completely reject another? And how do we handle the tough moments – from losing at games and toy overwhelm to the dreaded "I'm bored!"?

Let’s figure it all out together.
Over five small-group sessions, we’ll bring together the science of play and the reality of everyday family life. We’ll explore what research tells us, answer your questions, get curious about your family’s way of playing, and share ideas you can actually use at home.

🐸 WHAT WE’LL COVER

• PLAY 101: What play actually is, why children need it, and how it drives cognitive development, emotional resilience, and lifelong secure attachment.
• PLAY THROUGH THE YEARS: From early sensory exploration to pretend play, construction, roughhousing, and cooperative rules. What changes as children develop, and what fundamental needs stay constant.
• UNDERSTANDING PLAY PREFERENCES: Every child and parent plays differently. We’ll explore natural preferences and help you uncover your own play style too, so play becomes genuinely enjoyable for both of you.
• WHEN PLAY DOESN’T GO TO PLAN: Boredom, screen time, sibling dynamics, or kids simply not playing the way we imagined. We’ll also address the barriers parents face: everyday exhaustion, the pressure to be productive, "educational" play, and the common fear that being playful might weaken essential boundaries or create bad habits. Together, we’ll untangle what gets in the way and make play feel fun, sustainable, and guilt-free.
• THE FROGGY PLAY TOOLBOX: Practical strategies – from reverse play dynamics to the element of surprise and storytelling – that help you speak your child’s natural language and turn stressful transitions into moments of connection.
• TOYS, CLUTTER & REAL LIFE: We’ll tackle toy management, storage systems, and our children’s changing interests and shopping wishes. Plus, we’ll share honest recommendations for choosing games and toys and creating a playful home environment.

🎉 THEN WE PLAY!
Our final session is a family Play Party.
Bring your kiddo(s) and partner, leave the to-do lists at home, and come put what we learned into action together. We'll have playful stations, imagination games, snacks, and time to simply connect with the other lovely families in person.

THIS COURSE INCLUDES

🐸 5 small-group sessions: 1 parent-only in-person session, 3 live online sessions & 1 family Play Party
🧩 Playful ideas to try between sessions
💬 Personalized support along the way
📖 Curated toy, game and activity recommendations for every age 
👋 One optional 1:1 consultation for all your individual questions

📅 THE SCHEDULE

• Kickoff – In Person, Parents: Sat, Jan 9 | 15:00–17:00
• Deep Dives – Online, Parents: Thu, Jan 14, 21 & 28 | 19:00–20:00
• The Play Party – In Person, Whole Family: Sun, Jan 31 | 15:00–17:00

ℹ️ GOOD TO KNOW

• Location: Zürich City & online via Zoom
• Language: English (with German translation for the kids at the Play Party)
• Small group: Intentionally limited to 4–6 spots to keep conversations meaningful and tailored.
• Course fee: 190 CHF (20% off for Frogs in Mugs Verein members). Includes all 5 sessions (with drinks & snacks at both in-person events), all weekly materials, the full-family Play Party pass, and your personal 1:1 consultation.

You don’t need to be a naturally “playful” parent. You don’t need a house full of toys. And you definitely don’t need to become your child’s full-time entertainer. 
All you need is a little curiosity.
So, come as you are! We can’t wait to explore play together. 🐸💛
Alexandra & Rosalía | Frogs in Mugs

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