From the Toysit archive
Don’t Make Me Laugh Junior
Explore Don’t Make Me Laugh Junior’s colorful board and improvisation prompts, then create a little weather-station theatre.
The play at a glance
A small stage for a large imagination
Don’t Make Me Laugh Junior gathers a bright yellow-orange board, smiling character art, cards and a red clown nose into one playful scene. Its central invitation is to turn a few words into a performance. A player can become a busy object, a partner in an imaginary sport or one part of a group scene.A prompt becomes a performance
Toysit’s original account describes a journey from Little Chuckle to Big Guffaw. Along the way, Ha Ha, Ho Ho and Hee Hee cards invite solo, partner and whole-group improvisations. Its examples include becoming a sprinkler and playing an imaginary tennis match—small ideas that leave plenty of room for a performer’s own expression.
Picture the sprinkler as a turning hand and a soft shower of fingertip raindrops. An imaginary tennis ball can travel between two seated players, with each person watching the other’s gesture before returning the shot. These suggested interpretations show how a familiar action can become a miniature scene.
Try weather-station theatre
This original Toysit activity uses three homemade cards: sleepy sunshine, a surprised breeze and a polite raincloud. Draw a face or a simple weather symbol on each one.
- Choose a card and decide who will perform and who will give the forecast.
- The performer uses hands, face or a comfortable seated movement to bring the weather to life.
- The narrator adds a sentence: perhaps the sleepy sunshine is stretching over the rooftops, or the raincloud is asking permission to water the garden.
- Swap roles and choose another card. Anyone may pass, hold a picture or take a quieter drawing role.
Finish by arranging the cards into a forecast for an imaginary place. A cloud village might expect gentle drizzle before a sunny picnic, while a kite festival could be waiting for that surprised breeze.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
A game that is sure to please.
Doctor Toy's kudos as one of her top 10 games for kids and top 100 children's toys tops the accolades for this award winning game. Combining creativity and sound educational principles, this game has children racing from the Little Chuckle to the Big Guffaw. Along the way Ha Ha, Ho Ho, Hee Hee laughter cards prompt players, partners and sometimes the whole group to perform various improvisations such as: Pretend you are a sprinkler, Imitate your favorite teacher, Pick a player--Play a short tennis match, or Everyone do a Hula dance. The first player to the Big Guffaw wins the game, but everyone is a winner if he or she has fun laughing together. Jester cards add unexpected twists to the zany antics. Don't get lost in Lolo Land-- and no one ever knows who is going to wear the famous clown nose. Designed by teachers for kids 5 and up to play with kids and adults. This is a must game for all educational and game stores to carry. Received NAPPA award and used throughout San Diego Unified School district to help attain visual and performing arts curriculum goals. For 2-5 players.
The Role of NAPPA: National Parenting Product Awards as an Educational Organization
The National Parenting Product Awards (NAPPA) is an esteemed educational organization that focuses on identifying and recognizing high-quality products designed to enrich the lives of families and children. NAPPA's mission centers around providing parents and caregivers with trusted recommendations for products that contribute to the educational, developmental, and entertainment needs of children.
NAPPA achieves its mission through the following key initiatives:
- Product Evaluation: NAPPA employs a rigorous evaluation process conducted by a team of expert judges, including educators, parents, and industry professionals. These judges assess products based on various criteria, including educational value, innovation, safety, and overall quality.
- Award Recognition: Products that meet NAPPA's stringent standards are awarded the prestigious NAPPA seal of approval. This recognition serves as a trusted indicator for parents seeking products that align with educational goals and foster children's growth and development.
- Resource for Parents: NAPPA serves as a valuable resource for parents and caregivers seeking guidance on selecting products that align with their values and educational aspirations. The organization's website, reviews, and recommendations offer insight into a diverse range of products, from toys and games to books and educational tools.
- Advocacy for Children: By highlighting products that promote learning, creativity, and positive experiences, NAPPA advocates for children's well-rounded growth and education. The organization's efforts contribute to raising awareness about the importance of quality products in a child's life.
- Community Engagement: NAPPA fosters a community of parents, caregivers, and industry professionals who share a commitment to enhancing children's lives through thoughtful and educational products. This community serves as a platform for sharing insights, recommendations, and experiences.
NAPPA's reputation as a reputable educational organization stems from its dedication to evaluating and promoting products that align with the needs and aspirations of families. Through its commitment to excellence, NAPPA continues to make a positive impact on children's education, development, and overall well-being.
Sources and editorial notes
The play description is attributed to Toysit’s original account and photograph; a complete Lolo Junior rulebook was not recovered. Exact movement, Jester-card effects and the clown-nose procedure remain unverified. Historical Dr. Toy/NAPPA awards and school-use statements are preserved, not newly substantiated. NAPPA’s own description identifies a product awards and evaluation program; it does not establish all the educational-organization claims in the preserved essay. The weather activity is original, and no physical testing was performed.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site photograph reviewed and retained unchanged.
- NAPPA: its mission and evaluation process — Current self-description of the awards program; not verification of this game’s historical award or school-use claims.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete original product account and historical commentary preserved.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.