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“Mom, can I watch a movie?”
This is how I woke up this morning. A cute little four-year-old face, inches away from mine, asking to be entertained by major Hollywood corporations.
I don’t have a problem with TV or movies — we watch them occasionally. But I believe that they are FAR too often used as the default choice of leisure time for children. They can easily suck away imagination, energy, and the innocence of our kids, and a few hours of distraction just isn’t worth that, in my opinion.
But during these dog days of summer, it’s also hard to shoo your kids outside — at least if you live in a climate like ours, where the norm is 100+ degrees fahrenheit daily. Unfortunately, it’s just not safe to let kids sweat in this brutal heat for hours at a time.
So what’s a parent to do? Not much. But there’s plenty that children can do indoors on their own — without touching a remote. Here are a few ideas.
1. Read a book.
This is a go-to favorite in our family. Our library is right in our living room, available for access any time of day. Our kids know they can pull a book off the shelves at any time and enjoy, even though they can’t read on their own yet. And don’t forget about your public library.
2. Write a book.
Photo by nd.strupler
Even if your kids aren’t writing fluently yet, they can still compose literature on their own. Create a collection of blank books, and let your kids illustrate a story. Later, you can write the words for them as they dictate them to you, or they can sound out the words phonetically and write the story on their own. These books will make great keepsakes later.
3. Act out a book.
Does your child have a perennial favorite book? Have her act it out — the plot may take a unique turn, all her own. While I was making breakfast, my daughter said, “Mom, right now I’m going on a walk at half past nine.”
4. Listen to a book.
Audible Kids has a great selection of quality literature for children. Download a few to your mp3 player, and either give your child some headphones, or play the book over speakers while they play quietly.
5. Make an indoor clubhouse.
Corey wrote a great column on how to build a blanket fort. Get your child started, and see how else they architect a little place of their own.
6. Perform a puppet show or play.
Photo from Make and Takes
Hopefully you have a collection of hand-me-down clothes and thrift store finds in a dress-up box for your kids. They can use these to create costumes for a play, with you as the audience. Or they can let their stuffed animals star as puppets, and hide behind the couch for a dramatic reenactment starring their pretend friends.
You can also make a simple puppet show theater with a spring-loaded curtain rod and a piece of fabric in a doorway.
7. Have an indoor picnic or tea party.
Lay out an outdoor tablecloth on the floor, and enjoy lunch together down there. Kids think it’s a big treat to do the everyday in a special place, and the floor is one of those places. Or brew up some warm tea (my daughter’s favorite is blackberry), and have a little tea time in cups with saucers, alongside crackers or sweet bread for an afternoon treat. This is best done during baby’s naptime.
8. Make homemade play-doh.
Play-doh made from scratch is incredibly easy, and you can make an endless array of colors with basic food dye. Plus, it doesn’t have that awful commercial-brand smell. Spread the outdoor tablecloth on the floor, and give them dull knives, a rolling pin, and some cookie cutters.
9. Help with chores.
Many younger kids think it’s a blast to help Mom with the chores — but even if they don’t think it’s fun, it’s good for them to do chores anyway. It teaches kids that running the house is a family effort, and that life involves work (and things we don’t always enjoy doing). I’ve recently updated our family’s preschool chore chart on the downloads page.
10. Save up those TP rolls and wad up your socks.
Arrange TP rolls like bowling pins on one end of the hall. Stock up a few balled-up socks on the other. Bowl or throw at the “pins,” and you’ve got an indoor bowling alley. There’s tons of other crafts you can do with toilet paper rolls, too.
11. Get your groove on.
Even the parent can benefit from this little break in the day. Crank up the peppy music and get dancing. Even 10 minutes of jiving with release some wiggles, and it’s a stress relief for you, too. I like finding new adult and kid-friendly music at Kids Music That Rocks.
12. Craft, craft, craft.
Photo by laffy4k
In our family, we draw or create near daily. Keep a well-organized art cabinet handy, and your children can grab supplies whenever their muse strikes. If they want to paint, simply use that handy outdoor tablecloth again, and spread it on the kitchen floor. This is another baby’s-taking-a-nap activity.
13. Write a letter to a friend.
Old-fashioned letter writing is a dying art, what with e-mail being today’s communication method of choice. Help your child write a letter to Grandma, her cousins, or a friend, and make someone’s day when they open their mailbox a few days later.
14. Have a simple playdate.
Invite your child’s good friend over — this often makes for an even easier day, because your kiddo has a playmate instead of asking you to play all the time. It depends on the age and the particular friend, of course, but I’ve found that when my daughter has a friend over, I don’t see her for hours. They’re engulfed in their own little world in the playroom, content with each other’s company.
15. Play shop.
Create different shop kits from thrift store and sale finds. The next time you’re at a craft store, pick up some fake flowers on clearance. Make some homemade plant labels, save some empty seed packets, and hang on to those temporary pots from store-bought plants — all these supplies will make great tools for a flower shop at home. A notepad, pencil, apron, tray, and play food are all you need to play restaurant at the dining room table.
16. Rearrange the bedroom.
If your child is old enough to safely move small furniture around, let him explore his creative side and rearrange his bedroom. Depending on the result, it could be an afternoon set up, or it could be a new permanent look.
17. Supply some cardboard boxes.
Photo from ehow
If you haven’t recently moved or purchased a new appliance, go to your local grocery store and see if they have any cardboard boxes you could take off their hands. Bring a few home, and let your child’s imagination take over. They might build a castle, take off on a spaceship, or go sailing to a new world.
18. Go on a treasure hunt.
Think of some unusual spots around your house, or plant some treasures in rooms and on shelves (in an age-appropriate location, of course). Then make a list of objects, and have your child go on a treasure hunt. If they can’t yet read, draw a sketch of the hidden item.
19. Have them help with batch cooking.
Do you have a batch cooking day planned? If they’re old enough to stir, sift, and pour, let them help you with the basics — pasta and pizza sauces, muffins, and breads are all kid-friendly. And it’s a good chance to teach about numbers, fractions, nutrition, and providing for the family.
20. Nothing.
Photo by yours truly
Boredom is good for kids. Children are seldom truly bored, they just haven’t lately exercised that part of the brain that requires them to use their imagination. Make a rule that if your kid announces they’re bored, they’ll have to do chores. So if they truly can’t think of anything off-hand to do… eventually, they’ll think of something.
It’s a good lesson to learn that life is not always entertaining, and that they’re not the center of attention. And if you’ve got a typical home, there’s actually plenty they can do. So don’t feel like you always have to provide options and events for your children. They’ll be just fine exercising their brain.
What’s your go-to indoor activity with your kids?
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Playing at the Sink! We fill up the sink with a little water, some cups and spoons for pouring – and often one of my three little ones will be occupied for a good thirty minutes.
We have assigned video times throughout our day, so they always watch a little (& I get stuff done) – but it is closely, closely monitored. Like most things, moderation is key!
Jamie
steadymom´s last blog ..Meet My Students….
Doh! I didn’t think to include sink time, but yes, you’re absolutely right. Both my preschoolers and my toddler love playing around in the sink. Good call.
Thank you! I needed this list. I have one more week before school starts and have run out of my own ideas.
Have a great day.
Ashley, with CWDkids
http://www.kidbits.cwdkids.com
I love your no nonsense approach to this, Tsh. My toddler loves all things books, but living room tents are always a hit.
Shannon´s last blog ..Choosing Superfoods & Supplements
Great list! We are going to write a letter today. (Thanks for the idea!) The cardboard box idea is a great one, as it continues to entertain. We just got rid of the one we made at the beginning of the summer. It provided hours and hours of amusement. Playing in water is always a good one too, albeit messy. The sink, tub, garden hose will entertain my kids for quite a while.
PS~Erin´s last blog ..Monday Meal Plan
Thank you so much for this today! I am up early in a panic because our plans for the day have been rained out and when the kids get up and find out that we are stuck inside….. I’ll just go to your list!! Thanks!
Marci@OvercomingBusy´s last blog ..Benefits Of Sleep
Great list. I let my youngest daughter play grocery store with items from my pantry, as long as they’ve never been opened before.
I really like that you mentioned that’s it’s okay (even good) for our kids to feel bored. That’s when real imagination will kick in, as long as we don’t come in and rescue them from their boredom.
Tiffany´s last blog ..Weekly Menu, Grocery List and Recipes – 4th edition
Thank you for this list! I especially love the last one. I used to play make-believe games with my siblings for hours on end when I was younger. We weren’t allowed to watch TV very often. Kids definitely need to be able to entertain themselves, at least to some degree.
One thing I am forever grateful of is that my kids simply can’t sit in front of the TV for very long. When I do turn on the TV for them, it is usually for a movie and not just watching the line-up of children’s programming, and they’re good…for about 30 minutes, at which time I have found the TV off and them downstairs, engrossed in some elaborate imaginative play involving blankets and capes and fireman hats, generally.
I think by setting a good example of only watching the shows you really want to watch and then turning the TV off and doing something else, our kids have picked up on the habit. There is so much more to do and explore than what Dora and Diego can offer, even if I do have a soft spot in my heart for Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Veggie Tales.
Shaina´s last blog ..The Monday Menu: August 17, 2009
YES! Fantastic list, Tsh! I am becoming more of a believer in the “nothing” component. Now that our oldest is 4 1/2, I am finding it’s in the moments of “this is boring!” that she comes up with the most fantastic imaginative play on her own.
Megan at Simple Kids´s last blog ..August 14: SK Showcase
Great list! When my kids announce they are bored, I simply tell them they are lucky because boredom is a gift!
shelle´s last blog ..school supply rant
It’s a fact that kids now a days do not have enough down time. Because of down time, where neither I nor the tv/computer/video games “entertain”, my kids have created a whole world with their stuffed animals that they continually go back to. These animals have re-enacted history, played board games, created shops, gone on adventures…the list could go on. I’ve only let them keep a choice few stuffed animals and therefore they have had the closeness to each to create personalities for them. It’s a lot of fun to watch and even my soon to be 11 year old still gets in the fun. Down time=room for imagination to grow, says I.
Love this list. My mom used to say to us when we were looking for things to do, “Write a letter, read a book. Read a letter, write a book.” And I agree, that too often we dismiss the time and the power of just being in pursuit of the always doing. The being time can lead to the greatest of ideas!
Glad I found your blog.
Bernadette´s last blog ..SURPRISE!
Thank you SO much for the AudioBook link. My kids have just recently discovered books on CD and I was wondering what a good online source would be! Thanks again.
Elizabeth´s last blog ..Maybe a Bird Quilt?
Great list. The only other thing my 8 year old loves doing is making his own little movies with a video camera and his cuddly toys or action figures. It amazes me how he can hold the camera while filming them move about and do all the voice and sound effects. It’s a lot easier when I help but he can do it on his own too. He’s got right into it and loves sending his ‘films’ off to his grandparents for their review! He even makes the DVD covers and rates them U or PG!
Cheers, Chloe
Chloe Alice Wilson´s last blog ..G.I Joe Toys – The Rise Of Cobra – 10 Things Every Parent Needs To Know
Fabulous list, thanks for including my Circus Puppet show. And I love that you mention being “bored”. I too think kids need to think of things to do on their own. It helps them when they’re older, as Mom won’t always be around helping them figure out what to do!!
Marie {Make and Takes}´s last blog ..Play While You Paint
Love this list! But seriously- moms of girls can have a play date and not hear anything out of them for hours?! If my son has someone over and I don’t hear from them, I know something’s up. Or broken.
Sandra´s last blog ..5 Back to School Items I Love!
Wonderful list! I just wanted to point out some more sources for audio books- we love them and these are free!
FreeStuff4Kids.net – just a couple here so far. For younger kids
LibriVox – huge library for all ages, including kids stuff. Alice in Wonderland, the Oz books, Aesop’s Fables, etc. can be found here
StoryNory – lots to choose from here too!
Randa Clay´s last blog ..Monkey Boy
Thanks for posting these! I’ve been looking for some more free audio books for my daughter. Listening is such an important skill to develop!
Hi,
Great post. Can I be cheeky and add my site as a suggestion for the Craft, Craft, Craft section? Patterns for Colouring is a free resource for printables and should keep children occupied for a while!
Many thanks!
http://www.patternsforcolouring.com/
My kids are very creative and outgoing! We have a TV, but it only serves four uses. 1. to watch dvd’s. 2. to watch vhs’s. 3. to be a shelf. 4. to be dusted.
We don’t have cable or satellite, and we didn’t “update” and get a converter box.
My kids love to read. They love to draw. They also LOVE to cook (great book for this is Kids Cooking, A Very Slightly Messy Manual). They also get pre-occupied with chores as well. They love the organization and such that it involves. Even when things are “messy,” they are still in order. Another activity they love, is jumping on, as my daughter like to call it, the “jumpaleen” (trampoline).
My kids biggest indoor activities, as of yet though, is the task of helping me prepare for “classes.” I am soon to be starting doing mommy and me/me and my baby classes, and the kids are helping me come up with activities and everything to do (all activities ARE kid approved!) for the classes. They are having so much fun thinking up things that what other kids would enjoy doing with their mommy! It’s too sweet!
OH, and another great activity my kids enjoy: GIVING. Two examples, and then I am done
(I’m just so proud of my kids)… They love to go through their things (every two months or so) and donate their things to other kids. Why? Because they like the fact that some other kid will get to enjoy it, rather than it being “wasted” and going into the trash. They think that the toys have much more playing potential (and the clothes more wearing potential), but they are done with it, so they want someone else to have fun with it! ALSO, they LOVE to go on freerice.com. Why? To help feed other families. They don’t get on there because it’s fun (although it is), or because they learn (although they do), but to help feed other families. That’s it. We are never bored around here. I only wish I was as productive when I was a child!
OllipopGoose´s last blog ..Flab vs Fab: Week Two:
Amen to the section on boredom. Couldn’t agree with that more!
Rachael Levy´s last blog ..My safe Sam
Yes to your ideas about TV. We have a loose rule in our home that’s “only on the weekends.” (And at that, they get to pick out one movie each day.) Granted we bend the rules once in a while, but the default is not TV. Sadly, I think a lot of parents, accidentally or not, are the ones to teach kids the “default to TV” habit.
OK, now that I’ve said my bit about TV, here are a couple of fun things to fall back on when it gets a little hairy indoors:
- Take a bath! A nice bubble bath with toys and no rush to get ready for bed is a fun way to change the mood of things. I learned this from my MIL, and used it periodically when my kids were toddlers. (Grab a magazine for yourself, so that you’re not tempted to rush things. Or take off your clothes and climb in!)
- Make stew. This continues to be one of my 6 yo’s favorite things to do–she started when she was probably 2.5. I give her a large mixing bowl with some flour and water and let her go to town with spices that are old. (I keep them separate from the good stuff so that she can help herself.) Don’t forget the apron which feels like a costume.
- “Make a set up,” is often heard in my house. They kids use all of one type of toy, i.e. small plastic animals, stuffed animals, Hot Wheels, kitchen toys, to create a little scene. They take their time and use their imagination and then show it off to me in the end.
- This has been mentioned in some form or other already, but the single best thing we’ve ever committed to in our house is a kid-height “art table” which is in our kitchen/dining room area. It’s always stocked with markers, blank paper, colored pencils and a rotating basket of other cool supplies. Truly, the art table is my children’s default, and I couldn’t be more pleased to see them drawing, writing, cutting, pasting, etc. instead of asking to watch some inane program on the tube.
Great list! I’m having trouble finding things to keep my 12 yr old girl busy. She likes to be active, which is good, but sometimes I wish she would be more interested in reading, writing or crafting. She reads everyday but it is not her favorite thing. Lately we have been taking turns reading to each other from the same book, that has been fun.
I wanted to let you know that you helped me this weekend. I have recently started Dave Ramsey’s program and printed out all his worksheets at the back of his book. Using those along with your helpful tips I got most of it done this weekend. Now the hard part, sticking to it! Thank you for your help and inspiration!
Cindy´s last blog ..adding to the winter stash
When I was in school, one of my favorite teachers handed each of us a composition notebook (the black and white marble ones), and instructed us to write. She turned on some soft music and said to just simply “write” she said it didn’t matter what we wrote, didn’t matter how, she didn’t care about spelling or grammar, just write. She told us we could write a letter, write a story to fit with the song, write a poem, write a bunch of random sentences or words, didn’t matter….as long as we wrote for 15 mins. Then handed us each a sharpened pencil.
That was one of the most inspirational things to ever occur in my life for some reason. I must have been 12 or 13 at the time and ever since then, I find myself repeating that exercise. I even have my 2 1/2 year old doing it now. She scribbles, draws, “writes” while we listen to music.
Oh, an important part I forgot…we had to lay on the floor of the classroom so that we were more relaxed.
Maybe your daughter will like it if you try this “assignment” with her. You could even put a twist on it and both of you start a journal to one another, you write to her and she writes to you, you have to be completely honest with each other in the journals and you can only discuss it in writing : ) ……might come in handy during those times when she is being a typical teenager. It might keep her from bottling up.
I agree with the background music and writing assignment for children- and this also works well for drawing and painting. Classical music is the perfect inspiration for art!
I have two 11 yo’s (my youngest two of 11) and they spend a good part of their day just doing whatever I’m doing. They need to learn these things anyway (making a grocery list, decluttering a closet, making muffins) and some of our best conversations are while working alongside each other.
I have taught my children that when they say “I’m bored”, they’re really saying, “I’m boring.” But I never hear that because announcing boredom = more chores around here
Debbie @ Cheaper by the Bakers Dozen´s last blog ..Boys- Foolishness- and Forgiveness
LOVE the List! We also try to stay away from the TV. My kids are finally old enough now (4 & 6) that they love to just “play” together and still young enough that I don’t hear “I’m bored” very often! If there is nothing planned going on, my kids are always playing in the playroom or the basement, usually making a mess:) but at least they are keeping themselves busy!
Tashia´s last blog ..Busy Mom’s Planner
I have to admit that I cringe when I hear my children say “I’m bored.” I take it too personally, as if it’s somehow my fault. Or, I think they are ungrateful for the many toys, games, and books we own. Maybe I need to rethink boredom. I guess it’s not an insult after all.
Stacie @ newmommyhelp.net´s last blog ..Before I Was A Mom
I LOVE this list. I have a few activities that are reserved for indoor play: special paints, playdough, etc.
LaToya´s last blog ..Hands off!!
Yay, my baby may only be 4 months but I been looking for ideas other then TV, when I was younger me and my dad used to do candle making, bake days, and all sorts of crafts if we didnt go newhere. Im only 20 so a lot of people think im a bad mum (doesnt help the fact i look about 14) its horrible getting dirty looks wherever i go. i spend every moment with my little one, I had 2 hours away from her the other day and it was fun but i missed her. cant wait for special days in and out together teaching her how to cook and playing fun games, so many parents cant be botherd to do anything.
My mom used to make give us blankets, pillows, clothes pins… and have us make forts. That kept us busy for hours
Renee´s last blog ..Gratitude 08.14.2009
One thing we like to do at our house right now is play board games!
Great list! A favorite in our house is an indoor sandbox. I took a sterelite bin, filled it with cornmeal and a few dried lentils, filled it with some spoons, containers, dinosaur toys, etc and voila! I lay out a sheet in the kitchen and the boys have a blast playing. My youngest (18mths) makes a bit of a mess, but it’s easily swept up, and definitely worth it!
jennifer´s last blog ..My potatoes in a bag
Thanks for these great tips! TP bowling saved the day.
Wonderful list! I’ll be certainly utilizing many of these ideas in the future. One day last week, my three year old asked to help me clean. I gave her a bucket of mild, soapy water and a scrub brush and asked her to “clean” the bathroom. She loved it! The bathroom needed a major wipe down with a towel when she was all through, but I had a good 45 minutes of time to work on other projects. Oh, I should probably mention she insisted on cleaning naked…. didn’t want to get her clothes wet. : )
Love your post. We also enjoy puzzles! And playing “find the hidden teddy bear.”
Thanks so much for compiling this list. I am looking forward to trying out some of these ideas with my girls. One thing we enjoy doing is playing library. We bring out a bunch of books into the den and make sections all around on the couch and floor and table. Then we take turns being the librarian and the book checker outer. We use their toy cash register (to pay late fees-wonder where they got that idea…) and shopping cart to hold books. Fun!
Kimberly Fowler´s last blog ..Into the Wild (film) – Wikiquote
I love that you included ‘nothing’ on this list. When my eldest is doing nothing, those are often the times when her creativity and imagination really shines through.
Scott (simplefather)´s last blog ..Who Is Raising Your Children?
My daughters have really been enjoying The Gingerbread Man story. I’ve been sick of reading it but today I acted it out with finger puppets. Not only did I enjoy myself more than usual but the kids were entranced and made me do it twice!
Melodie´s last blog ..Monday Musings: Would You Buy This Doll?
What a wonderful list. I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s comments. Shelle’s comment that boredom is a gift is so true. Whenever I hear a child say they’re bored I tell them how wonderful that is and now the B word is never mentioned in my house. I really like the blank book idea too. Any idea that connects children with books is a good one.
Maureen Hume http://www.thepizzagang.com
Great list, thanks for that.
I have two little boys (3 and 1,5) who sometimes go wild if they can’t get rid of their energy by running around outside.
The little one is too young to be following craft ‘rules’. So usually we just sit down and draw or fingerpaint (see here http://mindfullittlemen.blogspot.com/2009/01/artist-is-at-it-again.html and here http://mindfullittlemen.blogspot.com/2008/09/portrait-of-artist-as-young-man.html).
But they love to help me cook (little one watching).
The chores is always a good one. My 3 year old is expert at doing the washing, emptying the dishwasher and making pasta.
We like to play hide and seek in the house as well which is always a blast cause they usually hide in the same spot every time
And we make collages of the things we collected on earlier walks (leaves, bark, dried flowers etc).
Thanks
Mimi
Mindful Mimi´s last blog ..Sunday laugh
Wow.. Lovely ideas.. We love reading.. My toddler is developing a great love for books and I love nurturing this habit.. So, we have fabric books, board books, nursery rhyme books, touch and feel books as well as the other paper books..
Another favorite pastime is just play.. simple pure play… blocks, stackable toys, dolls, kitchen utensils.. anything and everything works!
prerna´s last blog ..Being a Home Maker: Getting Organized. Staying Organized.
We live in the desert, so we’re trapped indoors a lot from about late spring to early fall. (No, the weather here is NOT always nice
One of our favorite crafts is making paint with condensed milk and food coloring. It’s a bit sticky, so be forewarned of the mess, but it drizzles on and dries with wonderful texture. Also, if you accidentally lick your fingers, it’s edible!
Lisa´s last blog ..future’s so bright, i’ve got to wear shades
Great list, love suggestion 20, I will keep that in mind for when my little ones gets older!
I love this list! I just found your website last night and love it! I am a new mom to twins so I am taking notes! Everyone keeps telling me the grow up in a blink of an eye so I am sure I will be needing this list sooner than I think. Thanks!!!
Jenn – Walk With Me´s last blog ..Tuesday Tribute
Oh…you echo my house….My 6 year old, first thing in the am, first thing home from school, first thing after dinner. MOmmy, can we watch a movie. and I only allow it on Fri and Sat nights! sigh.
I too are looking for ways to unplug…and recently some of the stuff we did was make life-size tracings of each child, colored them in and pinned them on the walls….so fun, my sons also made faces on rocks and made their own “warriors” to fight battles….
I also found some great doodle books at Costco (blogged about them) that are a BIG hit! http://sandeefamily.blogspot.com/2009/07/unplugged-pt-1-evil-costco-scores.html
And I have each of them in soccer…so we are constantly finding ways to unplug and looking for more.
Sandee´s last blog ..A Simpler Momma
Totally agree the TV that children are allowed to watch is crazy loved all your tips another great game is have a tray of items eg hair brush toothe paste ect then cover it with a towel & the kids have to guess what they saw as they get better have more items great brain building & fun at the same time. Lovely blog too
Elaine Power´s last blog ..Pewter Bottle
We’ll put some fun music on and have a good dance and sing-along – we all feel better for the jiggling, and the singing (even if awfully out of tune) lifts our spirits. If it’s too hot we’ll have a cool bubble bath just for the fun of it. No washing, just lots of bubbles and toys and getting wrinkly. On the book front a winner for us is to “reorganise” all the books and play library – to get all our books on the floor and then but them together according to whatever themes the kids come up with – sometimes subject related, sometimes size or colour related. It’s a great way to re-find old treasures and discover books we’ve had for ages but which for some reason didn’t grab us immediately.
Zoe´s last blog ..Flower Power
Puzzles and coloring…lots of puzzles and coloring around this house!
Intentionally Katie´s last blog ..Learning from Natural Consequences
“arts and crafts” for sure… and puzzles. But I do let them watch their movies – mainly in the morning when we’re doing dishes and making breakfast. When enough is enough, it’s all about creating.
Great list!
Robin Baker´s last blog ..Clogged
As children, if my sister and I complained that we were bored my mother would say in THAT voice “Oh, I can find something for you to do.” We were in our rooms doing anything except what she would come up for us. It usually involved scrubbing something.
Deanna´s last blog ..Operation Sandcastle Cake
One thing my 4 year old often plays with when we are stuck inside, is a string of blue beaded garland that was supposed to make it on to the tree. In nearly 4 years it has never adorned the tree, but kept him busy for hours throughout the rest of the year. Now my 10 month old gets in on the act too!
This is a great list. We do a lot of these already and I plan to add some of these to our list.
Rana´s last blog ..We’re Back!
I love this list! It;s crazy hot here too and we’re all cooped up inside!
One project we’ve been doing and loving this year is making a big collage with pics of all our far flung relatives – we sit and go through and choose a few pictures each week and then have a trip to the photo developers shop and keep building it up! Great for kids like mine who live far away from their extended families. My 3 year old loves linking everyone up (who’s whose cousin, and auntie and Grandma etc etc!)
Kirsty-Abu Dhabi´s last blog ..Under the weather | Abu Dhabi Child Photographer
wow!!!!!!!!!! thats great idea
kids crafts´s last blog ..Patchwork Quilt Patterns
Great suggestions…especially with summer coming to an end and the cooler weather forcing us inside!
This is an excellent list! We don’t watch much TV in our house so we do many of these activities on a regular basis, but it’s always nice to get a little added inspiration. Thank you.
Stephanie´s last blog ..How much does it cost to have a baby?
Release some wiggles with the debut album AlphaBeat from The Singing Lizard.
The Singing Lizard creates original music for kids! She also takes the children songs we all know and love and infuses them with a fresh new sound.
You can preview the entire album on the website: http://www.thesinginglizard.com
I’m glad to have visited your blog and good to know you! I find it interesting and informative.
I LOVE all these ideas! I’m bookmarking this page! I don’t have kids but am always looking for cool stuff to do with my friends’ kids when I am watching them. Thanks a million!
Jenn
Free Quilling Instructions
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What great ideas! I have to say that I never thought about having the kids write their own book. I always encourage reading but writing is such a great way to spark their creativity. Thanks for the ideas!
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Notice that the word book comes up in the first four entries? Parents, your children need to read…it’s a must activity that engages their brain and turns them into actual thinking human beings
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How about a spa day, with Mom as the client?
My kids love to play with my hair, rub my back, massage my feet. Get out the supplies, turn the lights low, put on some music, and “sacrifice yourself” for the good of your children!
We live in hot, humid Florida but I still like for my children to be outside some each day. As long as there is water involved (in their bodies and out), they are fine. Sprinklers are fun, washing the car, filling the driveway with chalk art for Daddy’s arrival,….and water balloons keep them busy for hours (it takes a long time to fill them up, and a short while to use them.)
Sometimes just taking an older toy to a new place can be entertaining. Set the doll house up in the foyer or the castle in the kitchen.
I also agree with the bathtub idea. Let them put their swimsuits on and use it as a pool (keep towels ready for the splashing.)
Debbie @ Cheaper by the Bakers Dozen´s last blog ..Boys- Foolishness- and Forgiveness