Keeping Kids Busy

[Leigh]

This morning, I gave the kids 2 bowls of water on a towel on the kitchen floor. They've spent over an hour playing car wash with Matchbox cars, and are still at it! They only go outside for about 10 minutes at a time this week, because they're all "too hot" (I heard the heat index is expected to be around 120 today).

What do you all do that keeps the kids enthralled for long periods? There have been no fights, no crying-just cooperative playing together (even the littles!). I need more ideas like this!

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

nice! definitely a win for you happyface
I switched out toys this morning and included some new stuff in there. So they played fairly well this morning. I have an extra school ager here which adds another dynamic to my day..
We went for a walk, did music and movement, parachute, played play doh. lunch and now they are all asleep except the SA who needs a nap the most! Oh and the 8 week old is snuggling with me

[Josiegirl]

Hmm, things that can keep them busy that long?
When I make a fresh batch of playdoh and add out of the ordinary things to it. We have usual stuff but they love it when we have googlie eyes, chenille stems, fake flowers, buttons, anything different you can scrounge up from your already available stash.

Your group must be pretty good. Give this group bowls of water and an hour later, #1 has tried drinking it, #2 and #3 have soaking wet clothes because #1 poured it all over them, #4 and #5 have taken water to the play kitchen and drank it out of the tea kettle or feeding it to each other, #1 has hit #2 and #3 over the heads because they're crying about being wet, #6 is telling me everything all the others are doing as if she's a future sportscaster. Water can be a dangerous fun activity in my house.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

So we are getting ready to start our "Water Play Fridays" in the coming week or so. This week we are going to replicate an activity I did at a recent community event I was invited to. Its called Dinosaur Eggs. Its just as easy to do inside as outside. Check it out and let me know what you think.

[Leigh]

Hmm, things that can keep them busy that long?
When I make a fresh batch of playdoh and add out of the ordinary things to it. We have usual stuff but they love it when we have googlie eyes, chenille stems, fake flowers, buttons, anything different you can scrounge up from your already available stash.

Your group must be pretty good. Give this group bowls of water and an hour later, #1 has tried drinking it, #2 and #3 have soaking wet clothes because #1 poured it all over them, #4 and #5 have taken water to the play kitchen and drank it out of the tea kettle or feeding it to each other, #1 has hit #2 and #3 over the heads because they're crying about being wet, #6 is telling me everything all the others are doing as if she's a future sportscaster. Water can be a dangerous fun activity in my house.

:: They're not usually so good! That's why I'm looking for more things that keep them interested! Play Doh is usually a fight and a huge mess. Bubbles cause tears every time. So many activities, they just can't all be on the same page. This kept kids 1-5 interested for SO long!

[Leigh]

So we are getting ready to start our "Water Play Fridays" in the coming week or so. This week we are going to replicate an activity I did at a recent community event I was invited to. Its called Dinosaur Eggs. Its just as easy to do inside as outside. Check it out and let me know what you think.

I think they would LOVE this!

[Mike]

Hmm, things that can keep them busy that long?
When I make a fresh batch of playdoh and add out of the ordinary things to it. We have usual stuff but they love it when we have googlie eyes, chenille stems, fake flowers, buttons, anything different you can scrounge up from your already available stash.

Your group must be pretty good. Give this group bowls of water and an hour later, #1 has tried drinking it, #2 and #3 have soaking wet clothes because #1 poured it all over them, #4 and #5 have taken water to the play kitchen and drank it out of the tea kettle or feeding it to each other, #1 has hit #2 and #3 over the heads because they're crying about being wet, #6 is telling me everything all the others are doing as if she's a future sportscaster. Water can be a dangerous fun activity in my house.

::
Won't be a boring day anyway.

[hottie8962]

I have frozen a bunch of toys in a plastic tub that fit in the freezer and gave the kids those fake toy tools (some broke after)and some spoons .They had a good time breaking the ice to get the toys out.i also added food coloring,I put the huge ice into the water table .

[Josiegirl]

What about making potions? You can put out whatever spice shakers, spoons, eyedroppers, cupcake tins, anything you can think of that they could pour, shake, stir together. Add some magical glitter, then work spells on each other. If they have lots of battles try to have enough for everyone.

If they're old enough to use scissors, I get out old magazines, and tell them to cut out anything that they want to. Then hand out glue sticks and a piece of construction paper to put it all on. Some kids can be kept busy for quite awhile with this.

Lots of activities putting frog tape on the floor. You can make roads and use blocks as garages, etc. You can make shapes and have jumping games on and off all day long or until they peel the tape off.
We've had snowball fights in the house with balled up paper. It's something you can use often throughout the day.
I made a bunch of activity ideas they pull out of a lunch bag one at a time. Depending on their ages, you can do activities such as hop on 1 foot, crawl to 1 end of the house to the other, find 2 things that are red, etc. It takes involvement from you.
Make a big tent or bear's cave and let the bring books inside it. If you're will to replace batteries, hand them flashlights.
It's hard to come up with something foolproof that will keep them entertained for that long. Just when you think you've found a hit, they start yelling and screaming. If the water is working, use babies and doll clothes next time. Or whatever needs washing. Some kids love to clean so hand them wet rags.
Someone from here shared a Fairy Dough recipe. My dcks absolutely loved it! I do remember someone saying for them it was not a hit. And we did do it outside, using flowers, grasses, etc. because it was super messy but lots of fun.