Thank you for your help and inspiration! I agree with what you said about just letting be but I like to have recomendations when they get into each other’s hair! I too think kids need to think of things to do on their own. See our list of the best songs of the decade ». thats great idea It;s crazy hot here too and we’re all cooped up inside! 7. ↓ next ↓ 1. The sink, tub, garden hose will entertain my kids for quite a while. We have them on when the kids are playing, cooking, relaxing… whatever. One thing we like to do at our house right now is play board games! http://sandeefamily.blogspot.com/2009/07/unplugged-pt-1-evil-costco-scores.html. One day last week, my three year old asked to help me clean. Stock up a few balled-up socks on the other. Especially crafts! Wash the car. Attend a sporting event. In fact, I found a cute craft on Etsy that might be attractive to parents looking to get artsy with their kids. http://www.kidbits.cwdkids.com, I should punch you that is so stupidest and dump. It's crazy to think that Mad Libs have been around since the '50s, and kids still get a kick out of them. Thanks!!! We don’t have cable or satellite, and we didn’t “update” and get a converter box. Kids are indoors at school all day, looking down at their desks, reading or writing. But we all know they’re far too often the default choice of leisure time for children. 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. 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! Kids definitely need to be able to entertain themselves, at least to some degree. Why? They can easily suck away imagination, energy, and the innocence of our kids. it gets frustrating…. Do you have an idea that isn’t on this list? Love this list! 70 Things to Do with Kids Now That We’re All Stuck at Home. She has 2 girsl under 3 years old! They take their time and use their imagination and then show it off to me in the end. i am going to try this with my stepsister we will have a lot of fun together thanks for your idea. One movie a week is all they watch, the rest of the time is outdoor/indoor activities. Eat homemade popsicles. .-= Cindy´s last blog ..adding to the winter stash =-. Film a home movie. Every day, my Facebook updates show friends, acquaintances, family, and old co-workers all looking for something to do around the Des Moines area. Wallets, book holders, airplanes, hair pieces, glass cases, no end to what they can make. Dress Up together 9. I also agree with the bathtub idea. other shows are not very child friendly, so i need be with them all the time whenever they ask to watch just to make sure that i can guide them and make sure that what they are watching is good for them. Make s'mores. Chelsea, just a word of encouragement. 9. If you can handle the noise at any rate ;-). I needed this list. Whether your daughter is two-years-old or 12, pick a book to read aloud together. If you think your dad isn’t really up for any of these things, I’m very curious to know what will work for him. Hide anywhere from 10 to 20 items around the house or outside to keep kids occupied for a few hours. and play duck pond. 22 Amazing Indoor Activities for Kids' Rainy-Day Fun. What to Do? ... just two years or something, my daughter is now 5:) … Great post. Granted we bend the rules once in a while, but the default is not TV. 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. Kids can create costumes for a play, with you as the audience. We also enjoy puzzles! Birthday Party Games For 8-10 Year Olds - Birthday Game Ideas For 10 Year Old Birthday parties for children can never be complete without games. I really like the blank book idea too. And they should all revolve around biblical principles. Let us know and we’ll add it! The best ideas for fun places to go with kids and things to do in Maryland - on FamilyDaysOut.com - plus child activities and cheap family entertainment The little one is too young to be following craft ‘rules’. Take turns playing photographer with your phone or camera. Fun Indoor Activities for Teens. Activities for Father-Daughter Groups; Fun Games to Play at Teenage Sleepovers; Parenting. Thanks again. ... I’m a granny caring for a 5 year old during the summer vacation , these ideas will be perfect in keeping my grandson occupied and stimulated. I give my toddler a set of watercolors, a couple of paint brushes, fill up the tub about an inch and let her paint away on the walls, the shower door, the faucet and of course her body. Plan an afternoon tea complete with flower decor, tea, cakes and sandwiches, or go with the old slumber party and order pizza or takeout for dinner. Running through Sprinklers. Get your child a sand castle building set and let her play in a sand pit with other children, building sand castles and shapes. I have an activity for you, Iyonna. For younger kids future’s so bright, i’ve got to wear shades, http://sandeefamily.blogspot.com/2009/07/unplugged-pt-1-evil-costco-scores.html, Under the weather | Abu Dhabi Child Photographer, A Power Wheels Tractor That Can Perform On Any Surface, http://fitfamilytogether.com/3-fun-indoor-activities-for-kids, https://www.facebook.com/connieskidsclothing, http://www.twirlygirlshop.com/moral-stories-for-kids, http://www.amazon.com/Butterfly-Coloring-Pages-Butterflies-Adults/dp/1500501255, Disclosure, Privacy, & Advertising Policy. Glad I found your blog. My tween daughter loves to shop. Awesome ideas!! Pick an activity that will help mom and daughter give back to … Kids can scoop and pour the rice or dig through to find the prizes you've hidden (in this example, they had fake bugs, a magnifying glass, and tweezers to "collect" them). 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. Crank up the peppy music and get dancing. Volunteer or do a community service project. inspiredtoaction.com/2012/02/101-fun-activities-to-do-with-your-child Sign up now and get our FREE newsletters packed with fun ideas and things to do with the kids, family-friendly recipes, expert advice, parenting tips and great competitions. – Take a bath! 2-year-olds are great little adventurers and can tag along with you just about anywhere. I just felt like he was too young for all that but evidently not! Whether your daughter is two-years-old or 12, ... High tea is a luxurious activity that every mom and daughter should do at least once. Listening is such an important skill to develop! While we all love getting fresh air and sunshine, sometimes you get stuck inside. They are taught that life is all about finding ways to get what you want. We live in hot, humid Florida but I still like for my children to be outside some each day. Jenn i usually spend half my time trying to find something to entertain him instead of tv and videogames. I am your silent reader for the past few days. I LOVE all these ideas! Ride a roller coaster. But it is essential. .-= Marie {Make and Takes}´s last blog ..Play While You Paint =-. It provided hours and hours of amusement. Language and conversation define this game — your 10-year-old will race to answer the clue cards with the buzzword. What a wonderful list. It’s a lot easier when I help but he can do it on his own too. I just found your website last night and love it! he doesnt care much for coloring, reading or writing. 1. It teaches kids about the feel and texture of dry and wet sand and also about how to share things and play well with others. 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! 19+ Unforgettable Things To Do In Sequoia National Park. thanks. Putting together a variety of activities for them that revolve around using their logic and creativity, by spending time indoors or outdoors, can get them up … Ages: K5 – 5th grade Academic Assistance Offered: We will have a certified teacher and two additional assistants to help monitor. That's why it's always good to have a stash of indoor activities for kids at the ready. And I love that you mention being “bored”. Use the back side of some leftover wrapping paper to draw and color life-sized pictures of one another. Can I be cheeky and add my site as a suggestion for the Craft, Craft, Craft section? Spread the outdoor tablecloth on the floor, and give them dull knives, a rolling pin, and some cookie cutters. Whip up some kind of make-your-own dessert bar by putting out toppings (frosting, sprinkles, M&Ms, etc.) That’s it. Here is one my kids love!! Great list, thanks for that. Wash the car. We do play-doh, swings, color time, read books, bubbles, cooking, pretend, chalk, throwing balls in laundry baskets… 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’m a 46 year old man and some of these sounded fun to me – as a guy dating a “mom” this site is excellent at keeping me informed and helpful. What to Do? See more ideas about fun, activities for kids, kids. I let my youngest daughter play grocery store with items from my pantry, as long as they’ve never been opened before. Oh, an important part I forgot…we had to lay on the floor of the classroom so that we were more relaxed. When my daughter was about nine years old and with a long summer looming, she would come up to me and say I’m bored. A notepad, pencil, apron, tray, and play food are all the kids need to play restaurant at the dining room table. .-= OllipopGoose´s last blog ..Flab vs Fab: Week Two: =-. Outdoor games like relay race, three legged race, balloon stomp, and water balloon bombs can be a lot of fun. When they’re home, get a break from computers and tv, and go outside with a ball and PLAY! (and I was even allowed to watch freaky movies like Labyrinth!) In about a month, I have agreed to babysit my two nephews, under age 4, for two weeks while their teacher parents chaperone a trip to Europe. Maureen Hume http://www.thepizzagang.com. 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…. What great ideas! Awesome ideas, thank you. 10. Make every second of screen time count by making sure you're choosing the best kids' TV shows and movies available. Vitamin D in sun is vitally needed.) We won't tell if you surrender your phone for a little while, too. By Marisa LaScala. Even the parent can benefit from this little break in the day. But the language are mixed English & Malay as I am from Malaysia…:). Let them write a letter to Grandma, her cousins, or a friend, and make someone’s day when they open their mailbox a few days later. 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. And we love tp bowling. None of these are “stupid and dump”. When my eldest is doing nothing, those are often the times when her creativity and imagination really shines through. When my grandson was three he was very active. 9. If you don't have the time to read out loud to your own kids, let someone else do it for you with a great audiobook. Do they like cooking? I hope you’re not teaching your child your horrible, immature behavior. It was easy clean up and we stored the flour in a container to reuse… with their cars and trucks only! I don’t have a problem with TV or movies—we watch them both. Put them in a bag. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. We’ve put together a list of great activities that can be educationalfor your kids, and open them up to learning a few other skills as well. Listen to a book. Let me try some for my 4 year old son now. So, what's your go-to, belt-it-out-to-the-rafters song? We keep it full of all sorts of arts and crafts and I make sure I add to it with different types of things so there are suprises when they open it. Stupidest and dump??? Just about everything can be a fun adventure. I am a little panicky at the idea of entertaining them all day every day. The rest of the ideas listed, however, are amazingly helpful when those moments of self-initiated entertainment need a little help! Whether it’s due to bad weather, an unexpected school closure, or some other reason, once you’re indoors, your kids can get cabin fever quickly if you’re not prepared. I LOVE this list. I did organize some activities but the kids love TV most. .-= Bernadette´s last blog ..SURPRISE! thank you so much for writing about the importance of boredom! .-= kids crafts´s last blog ..Patchwork Quilt Patterns =-. My favourite indoor activity, well for my kids is to do the xbox just dance videos, we dance to the super mario dance, Dora and Micheal Jackson’s, thriller. Just about everything can be a fun adventure. Play indoor hide and seek. Annette White November 9, 2018 at 2:38 pm - Reply. (Tote bags also work.). 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. This is how I woke up this morning. Don’t forget the apron which feels like a costume. Why trust us? Another activity they love, is jumping on, as my daughter like to call it, the “jumpaleen” (trampoline). We’d spend hours as the orphans from Annie, following the Yellow Brick Road, or pretending to be the Von Trapp children. .-= Randa Clay´s last blog ..Monkey Boy =-. But i have many things to do aside from watching. Write them down on some paper, draw a question from the jar, and take turns answering honestly. Let them put their swimsuits on and use it as a pool (keep towels ready for the splashing.). http://www.patternsforcolouring.com/. Go window shopping 7. If it’s too hot we’ll have a cool bubble bath just for the fun of it. Invite your child’s friend over—this sometimes makes for an even easier day, because your kiddo has a playmate instead of asking you to play all the time. There are lots of fun, hands-on learning activities that secretly give kids extra practice in reading, math, social studies or STEM concepts. What Does it Teach. Go to the library – stay for story time 2. (Thanks for the idea!) The kids love it because they can act as silly as they want to, and they never want to stop playing. i live with my boyfriend, his mom, and his 6 year old brother (my boyfriend and i are 19). .-= Zoe´s last blog ..Flower Power =-. His step stool is placed on the “boat” as the captains seat, along with the paper towel holder as our anchor, the swifter broom stands tall with the kitchen towel tied on the top as our sail & imaginary shark & fish are swimming all around us. Lately we have been taking turns reading to each other from the same book, that has been fun. See our list of the 40 best books for kids ». With These Activities for Kids, Scavenger Hunts Turn Kids Into Little Detectives, 9 Boredom-Busting Kitchen Activities for Kids, 40 Fun Fall Activities for the Whole Family. Approved for CARES Act Funding. But if you're stuck indoors for an extended period of time, at point you're going to want to get something accomplished. She would sit and play with them for at least 20 minutes before the bubbles disappeared. And playing “find the hidden teddy bear.”. We homeschool and that means LOTS of extra time at home, which means more time to be “bored”. =-. (Here are 101 Picture Books that every kid should hear .) If you are looking for some fun things to do with kids while you’re stuck at home, here are some ideas. Get more ideas for scavenger hunt themes », Take out your old makeup, nail polishes, and hairbrushes, and "experiment" with a new style. Down time=room for imagination to grow, says I. But be careful, you don’t want kids to think that learning will always be fun. Bonus: You won't have kids turning up their noses and saying, "yuck" about the meal you've made. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. My youngest (18mths) makes a bit of a mess, but it’s easily swept up, and definitely worth it! Do things you'd normally do inside, like play board games or have a pillow fight. Brain Teasers – These free printable brain teaser cards from Teach Mama are perfect for a quick distraction, and these riddles and … I don’t have kids but am always looking for cool stuff to do with my friends’ kids when I am watching them. So glad you talked about boredom as a boon. We are never bored around here. Buzzword Junior. 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 reads everyday but it is not her favorite thing. See the Good Housekeeping Institute's picks for best family board games ». Grow a pet TIckleMe Plant from seeds and watch how the leaves fold together and the branches droop when you Tickle It! Next we will try painting or glueing. Do an experiment with paper shapes. We lived in an old farmhouse and every winter break she had us paint the inside of the home including all of the woodwork. Finger Knitting – This tutorial shows step by step instructions on how to dye and cut an old t-shirt … Wow.. Lovely ideas.. We love reading.. My toddler is developing a great love for books and I love nurturing this habit.. Trace letters together. The kids know they can pull a book off the shelves whenever they want. It’s fun to look back over the years and see all the new things we have tried and done. Thanks for sharing! LOVE the List! And, when those are all exhausted, there’s nothing wrong with hunkering down with a good book, movie, or TV show. We are going to write a letter today. One is 6 another one is 4. Thank you for this list! 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. I love those simple activities that entertain and boost creativity as well. We had so much fun doing it! Have a water balloon fight. I adore all of these great ideas! Now my 10 month old gets in on the act too! 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. Three-year olds are often big fans of drawing. Go Indoor Skydiving. .-= Tashia´s last blog ..Busy Mom’s Planner =-. In fact she has gotten a lot of people including myself making a summer fun list every year and we post it on a Facebook site. Even when things are “messy,” they are still in order. As a child, I can’t tell you how many times my sister and I watched and then acted out musicals on our own. Thank you! this helped me soo much with my kindergarteners! Fantasy movies also deeply immersed me into the imaginative world of fairies and that extended into writing stories about fairies, creating fairy homes in the yard, etc. Activities for Father-Daughter Groups; Fun Games to Play at Teenage Sleepovers; Parenting. Pretend it is a cave. I don’t think all movies are bad. Here are 10 simple and fun activities for parents and preschoolers to do together: 1. 1. to watch dvd’s. Get recommendations for the best podcasts for kids ». StoryNory – lots to choose from here too! (No, the weather here is NOT always nice One of our favorite crafts is making paint with condensed milk and food coloring. 4. In our house (with a nine and ten year old) we have ‘Technology Tokens’ – each is worth 30 minutes of either TV or computer time and they get 2 of these on a school day and 3 on a weekend or holiday day. Oh, I should probably mention she insisted on cleaning naked…. You … Like most things, moderation is key! ... shared amazing ideas for kids. Discipline and responsibility, as well as learning etiquette and humility are the primary activities in our home. I will also definitely do all those activities on your list with my kids…, thanks soooooo much for this it is sooo useful Less Than 101 Things To Do With Your 10-15 Year Old Child « Growing Up Well says: September 21, 2012 at 10:53 am […] list is an adaptation of a larger list from Heidi, a guest blogger on Inspired to Action. My 3 year old is expert at doing the washing, emptying the dishwasher and making pasta. Oct 16, 2018 - Explore Cynthia Culp's board "Fun things to do with my granddaughter", followed by 135 people on Pinterest. TP bowling saved the day. DON’T FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUN, DAILY- NOON BEST (vitamin D and emotionally uplifting)! After my daughter finishes a book, I will sometimes read it, too, and then we have talks about the plot, the characters, the things that annoyed or delighted us. .-= Intentionally Katie´s last blog ..Learning from Natural Consequences =-. Oct 16, 2018 - Explore Cynthia Culp's board "Fun things to do with my granddaughter", followed by 135 people on Pinterest. My son loves to dance, as long as I dance with him. .-= Rana´s last blog ..We’re Back! I must have been 12 or 13 at the time and ever since then, I find myself repeating that exercise. Just linked your post to my Pinterest account to share with friends who also have toddlers. 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). The cardboard box idea is a great one, as it continues to entertain. I really like that you mentioned that’s it’s okay (even good) for our kids to feel bored. Keep a few handy, and watch your child’s imagination take over: a castle, a spaceship, a sailboat for an adventure to a new world. .-= Scott (simplefather)´s last blog ..Who Is Raising Your Children? Doh! Stencils, paint, solid tees — and go! It might keep her from bottling up. I’m having trouble finding things to keep my 12 yr old girl busy. .-= Shannon´s last blog ..Choosing Superfoods & Supplements =-. Otherwise known as indoor activities that make kids go, "Hmmm." My kids love that they have a cupboard full of metal bowls and 2 wooden spoons.. For more information read: Indoor Skydive Experience: Weightlessness in a Wind Tunnel. On Etsy, you can find customizable clue cards that you fill in and print yourself. One time, and I promise, you’ll never hear it again. Parents can have a blast helping their little ones to grow through play at this stage. under each chair has something, like a library,stuffed animals, and a kitchen with play kitchen set.they love it! Not only did I enjoy myself more than usual but the kids were entranced and made me do it twice! While I was making breakfast just this morning, my four-year-old daughter said, “Mom, right now I’m going on a walk at half past nine.”. Yes! Because they like the fact that some other kid will get to enjoy it, rather than it being “wasted” and going into the trash. I have a rug in my kitchen, this often becomes our “boat”.