Here is a few ways I've kept my children occupied! As usual, I've found that it often is not the fancy expensive toys that keep their attention the best!
Magazines - A few old catalogs, magazines, glue, and scissors, along with a little childhood creativity can be loads of fun. The floor may be covered with paper scraps afterward, but nothing a vacuum cleaner can't tackle.
Pony Beads - For children beyond the age of putting things in their mouth, pony beads are fun. I bought a large bag of multi-colored beads at Walmart. With pipe cleaners, string, and a few cups for sorting, there is endless projects. Try stringing a few beads on a pipe cleaner and see if they can make the same color pattern on their pipe cleaner.
Pasta - Similar to the pony beads, I mixed several kinds of dried pasta together (rotini, shells, macaroni, ziti) With muffin tins, spoons, and measuring cups, they pretend they are cooking, or sort the pasta in different bowls.
Play Dough - We all know this one. But sometimes I need a reminder!
Paper - I'm glad computer printer paper is cheap because we go through tons of it! Look on the web for ways to make little booklets. Add markers, crayons, paints, stickers, glue, sicssors, etc.
Paints - Speaking of paints - my in-laws gave our children the "Do-A-Dot" Paints. They are wonderful! I would never allow my children to paint with brushes and bowls of paint but these are almost mess free! The sturdy tubes have sponge tips. The paint is washable for whatever does miss the paper!Okay, that is my ideas! What are yours? I'll start a list for the next rainy day!
Cutting shapes and letters from felt and letting them make pictures. The felt will stick to flannel boards (flannel wrapped around cardboard). Making a stack of birthday, thank you, thinking of you cards to have on hand (huge hit with the receiver). Cover jars with small bits of colored wrapping tissue paper that has been dipped into 1/4 water and 3/4 glue. Add sand and a tea light or votive. Take packing or appliance boxes and cut out a window and a door (Be sure to leave the door attached on one side. Half the fun is in the opening and closing.). That is a huge hit! They can decorate the outside and inside with crayons and markers. :o)) My dd is almost 22 now and so miss those rainy day projects.
ReplyDeletegreat list!
ReplyDeleteMy kids like to have a tent for variation. Especially if I give them Cheerios and encourage them to play house with their food.
They also like to look through photo church directories or old photo albums from before they were born.
We play "hide the thimble" too.
And actually, on summer rainy days, I just send them outside for an hour or two and expect to change their muddy clothes at the back door before they come in. They usually have so much energy to burn!