What the heck am I supposed to do with these kids?!
We've all been there. Maybe it's a rainy Sunday and the kids don't feel like watching Finding Nemo again. Maybe it's a snowday and the kids don't feel like making snow angels. Maybe your five year old pleaded stomach ache and is home from school. However it came to pass, you now have the weighty responsibility of entertaining your kids with a fun activity that doesn't involve live bait. Here are some of my favorites.
Five Activities Using an Old Bedsheet
The old bed sheet will be your ace in the hole. No matter how bored or whiny your kids are, dragging out the old bedsheet and putting on some fun music will be sure to make everyone happy. Be warned though, this activity is contagious. When my kids get going I can't help but join in.
1. Parachute : Remember the thrill you felt in Phys Ed class in elementary school when the teacher would get out the parachute and everyone would grab a side. I remember thinking there was nothing better in the world then when it was my turn to sit in the center while everyone made waves around me by shaking the parachute - then again, I was a really dumb kid. The way I like to play is to have my two kids sit on the floor, the I put the bedsheet over them and wave it up and down from the side. Make sure to make lots of noise like "Woooooo" and they will laugh hysterically. Another way is to have each child take a side and shake the sheet while a ball bounces around in the center. Or, let your kids sit on the sheet and shake the side for the aforementioned wave action. You will be suprised how much mileage you can get out of this one.
2. The Indoor Sled: This one works best in a large room with hardwood floors. One child sits on the sheet while the other one drags him around. Or let a couple of children sit on the sheet while you drag it around. Be careful not to strain your back and be warned that if you get going too fast, that your baby might going flying.
3. Living Room Campout: This one is the best. Take four of your dining room chairs and put two of them next to each other, then put the other two behind them with the backs facing. Make the two rows at least three feet apart and drape the sheet over the tops of the chairs for a tent. Make sure you use a large sheet so that the front and back are completely covered. Encourage your children to make a sign for the front like, "No Bears Allowed." I like to put on one of those New Agey nature sounds tapes while they are inside. There is no limit to this activity. Serve them lunch inside. Put a couple of mats in and let them nap in there. Give them crayons and tape paper to the floor and let them color. This may occupy them so long that you may get to sit down and read a magazine for awhile (or not).
4. Tunnel Vision: Make the tent described above, except pull the front and back of the sheet up to form a tunnel. My kids love to get on riding toys and go through the tunnel. Encourage them to yell, "Beep, Beep" and "Vroom, Vroom." The kids also like to push toy cars through. Be sure to monitor this activity for a baby safe speed limit. I clocked my two year old doing sixty in the living room once. Poor cat never saw it coming.
5. Foot Print Artistry: I am cheating here because this is really an outdoor activity. Oh well, report me. This really is fun for all involved so I recommend getting the whole family to join in, even grandparents. Fill aluminum 13x9 pans with Tempera paints. Encourage everyone to take off their shoes and step in the paint, then to make foot prints on the sheet. Have a hose or a bucket handy in case someone wants to change colors, and lock the patio doors so forgetful Daddy doesn't accidentally go inside to watch the game and make foot prints on your oriental rug. Ask everyone to identify a foot print and then you write their name next to it with a sharpie marker. These can make great recreation room wall hangings or they can go right in the trash once everyone heads home.
Two Fun and Easy Necklaces
My daughter loves to string beads and make necklaces, but I hate the mess. Also, I can't always sit there to make sure she doesn't swallow something she shouldn't. So here are two easy necklace crafts that are sure to please your little preschooler and be easy on you.
1. Classic Cereal Necklace: This is an oldie but a goodie. Give your child a bowl of their favorite cereal that has a whole in the center. Fruit loops make a nice colorful piece of jewelry, or go for the "always in fashion" Cheerios. Lately, we have been crafting our jewelry out of Apple Jacks. I find that my daughter has the easiest time with this when I give her a Chenille stem with one end bent. She likes to do several of these, so I give her several colors and a big bowl of cereal. When she is done, I either twist two together at the ends for a necklace or form one into a circle for a bracelet. Don't expect this edible art to last long. She loves to take these to preschool to show off her handiwork at snacktime.
2. Straw Lovelies: Take five or six colorful drinking straws and cut them into one inch pieces. Take a colorful piece of yarn and tape one end to the table. Take a piece of masking tape and wrap it around the other end then pinch to form the "needle". Let your child thread the straws onto the yarn. You can then tie the ends to make a necklace, but my daughter enjoys taking the straws on and off.
Homemade Sewing Cards
I taught my daughter how to "sew" and she has been asking to do this project ever since. If you vary the paper used and the shades of the yarn, then you can get some pretty fridge decorations. The basic idea is the same. Take construction paper or cardboard and punch a bunch of holes in it with a hole punch. Next, cut a length of yarn and tape one side to the back of your sewing card. Take masking tape and tape around the other end and pinch to form a needle. The first few times you do this, you will have to sit with your child and show her how to put the needle through, turn the card and pull the yarn all the way through. I don't give my little one any kind of a pattern, but older kids might enjoy it. Here are a couple of other ideas for spiffy sewing cards.
1. Vary the card background: Instead of using plain construction paper, paste a colorful wrapping paper to a small piece of posterboard and let dry over night. You can also print out clip art of your childs favorite characters and use them in the same manner. I have even printed out digital family photos onto typing paper and pasted that to poster board and let her sew it. You could do one of your inlaws and then send it to them as a gift. This is also a great way to make use of your child's artwork from school. Note: Ask your child's permission before hole punching their little Picassos.
2. Add other mediums: Have your child dot a little glue around the finished product and sprinkle on some glittler. We have also glued on cotton balls for a wintery scene. My daughter is a sticker maniac so she likes to stick on stars and hearts when she's finished. Take craft sticks and make a little frame for her work of art. Be sure to display prominently in the living room.
Play with Your Food
Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with your food? Thank goodness mine never did. Snack time can be a great way to get their creative juices flowing or just have some plain fun. So off to the kitchen and bon appetite! Note: This is an excellent time to teach your children about proper handwashing.Even so, I wouldn't recommend eating anything they might make.
1. Do the twist: This one involves a little effort, but it is well worth it. Go to your favorite cookbook and whip up a batch of pretzel dough. Give each kid a ball of dough and a cookie sheet. Encourage them to make different shapes. Some kids will want to make animals and some kids will just want to make crazy squiqqles. Smaller kids will just want to squeeze the dough into lumps. It's all great! When they are done, give them clean paintbrushes and show them how to brush egg white onto the pretzels. Give each child a shaker of kosher salt to sprinkle on the pretzels. Supervise closely unless you like your pretzels extra salty. Bake and have a pretzel party.
2. Yummy Dips: Give each child a sheet of waxed paper. On the table put several bowls of different types of fruit like canned pineapple or apple wedges. Take a can of whipped cream and spray a smiley face on each sheet of waxed paper and encourage the kids to take the fruit and dip away. For smaller kids, take a spoon and put a few chunks of fruit on their paper and let them use their fingers. For older kids, show them how to use toothpicks. Be sure that all of the foods are age appropriate and not choking hazards. For added fun, sprinkle some sprinkles onto the whipped cream.