The last thing I want to do when it's raining or the boys are bored is to make a trip out of the house for some special supplies. These are few things we can do that I usually have everything I need already on hand.
1. Play-doh - It's simple and easy to clean up. My boys always make a mess, but it's totally washable and, as long as we keep it in the kitchen, easy to sweep right up. You can even make your own edible playdough if you are feeling super adventurous. We haven't tried this because of my youngest's allergies to milk and peanuts. (Maybe in a couple years though...)
2. Cooking - Mark Garrett has really gotten into food lately. He's always bringing me a plate of something he's made me to eat. So I've been letting him actually help me in the kitchen. And I'm amazed at how much he can do. It's a lot messier, but he follows directions well and it's a great way to teach kitchen safety that kids need to know anyway. A few of our favorite things to make are pudding, rice krispie treats and cookies. (Hmmm... I wonder why he likes to cook so much?) Check out Little Nummies for more ideas on fun foods to make for and with your kids.
3. Art- The boys love to create art out of anything. They are happy with crayons, but if I add paint or stickers or glue, they are thrilled. We don't usually have a goal or a plan when we start, but we always have a great time. When I'm feeling especially inspired I like to check out No Time For Flashcards. She always has great ideas that go with the season, an upcoming holiday or a book. And since her little boy is so close in age to mine, they are always age appropriate for us.
4. Cleaning - It may not sound fun to you, but Mark loves to help me clean. And while he may not do a job as well as I would have, it's great that he's learning to contribute to the household and we are getting a few things done while stuck inside anyway. A few tasks that are great for kids include folding dishtowels and their own clothing, sorting laundry, using the Swiffer on the floor, dusting with a soft cloth and sweeping the porch. I'm sure there are tons of other age appropriate tasks you can think of to do with your kids, but these are a few of the ones that my 3 and half year old does well and enjoys. He thinks it's a great treat to get to help me around the house, so I might as well take advantage of it!
This week is National TV Turnoff Week, so let's hear your ideas for playing with your kids. What do you do when you all need a break from the television and can't go outside?
We do family reading and games. :D
ReplyDeleteWe've had two days of entertainment with a box! You never know what's going to be fun for them!
ReplyDeletePlay-Doh. Brings back memories. My son, now 25, played in the kitchen floor. I would lay out my old tupperware pastry sheet for him to spend the afternoon. When he got bored with that, I cleaned up most of the mess but would leave the little giblets on the floor to dry out. I found out the hard way that while still moist they would gum up in the broom.
ReplyDeleteOne day, my mother who was most definitely obsessive/compulsive when she had three little kids in the house house stopped by. She looked in the kitchen floor and asked if I intended to sweep up the mess. When I told her about letting it dry and it swept right up she said that she'd never thought about that. I commented about her OCD when we were little (believe me, she's not any more!). She just smiled.
Sherry/KeepYouInStitches