I'm so bored!

[cheltzey]

I'm a SAHM with a 3-year-old and a 2-year-old and I feel like I have run out of ideas to entertain them. You know how some people are just naturals at "playing?" Well, I'm not. I hate to have them watch movies all the time (I try to limit TV to 1 or 2 times a week), so I need your suggestions! What can I do with them that doesn't cost a fortune or hours of preparation or cleanup?

[aggiefamily]

I have one of those rolling plastic drawer thingies that I keep in the hallway. I fill one drawer with paper, coloring books and workbooks, the next one had crayons, washable markers, color pencils and the last I usually put art stuff I find at the dollar spot at Target. I just roll it into the dining room and they get their own supplies out and color. They know to put the supplies back in the drawers and roll it back to the hallway.

Right now it is empty because I am cleaning it out and replenishing for school.

Oh- Paint by Water can keep mine busy for at least 45 minutes. It is easy to clean up as long as they don't spill their water!

I will also make a fort for them and they go "camping" with their stuffed animals.

[meems]

i feel your pain as I am sooo not a playful parent.

got this idea from another mom: indoor snowball fight using cotton balls.

or just go out for a walk?

make some cookies?

[Chels85]

i feel your pain as I am sooo not a playful parent.

got this idea from another mom: indoor snowball fight using cotton balls.

or just go out for a walk?

make some cookies?


Cotton balls.... LOL

[Chels85]

for my neice and nephew, when they are bored, i hand over my point and shoot camera to them and have them have fun taking pics and i always like to see the results!

Now i have a point and shoot which is a 'back up, purse camera, hand over camera" or whatever you like to call it and i have the DSLR- which is a NO TOUCH for kids, but the point and shoot, i don't care as long they dont break it

Oh and i even scrapped the pics that my neice took a while back...

ok....enough rambling lol

[robinforman]

Summer means we are outside.... park visits can take up an entire morning. We are lucky because we have several within walking distance, but I am sure there are some around ya somewhere!

[mrs_jb]

LOL... I'm not a natural at playing either! My kids (7 & 4) do play on the computer together (mostly nickjr.com) and they will play some light sports games in the house like hockey (with mini sticks and a nerf ball) or basketball. Both of them also like to "scrap" with me and I'll make them new inserts for their tumbler cups or cards for family and friends.

I'm lucky in having two boys, that they like the same things and they really help to entertain each other.

I try to limit TV, but sometimes it's inevitable, but I usually opt for things like Noggin or Playhouse Disney.

[mcardall]

Noggin is like preschool 24 hours a day seven days a week... or at least that is what I hear blaring from my TV for HOURS everyday. I will admit it. We are a tv family. When we aren't even watching it, it's on for noise. Right now, Hannah is playing with Polly Pockets & Ainsley is "reading" a book, but it's still on. It helps fill the "between" moments. My greatest fear is that the tv will die one day before we can afford to get a new one!

Hannah has a craft cart, too. She is also learning her letters, so we have ABC workbooks which she has to work on every morning. She has chores to do everyday, too, so that takes up a chunk of our morning. She helps with dishes and sweeps the kitchen floor. Sometimes she mops, too. I generally have to do it again when she isn't paying attention, but it keeps her busy & teaches her how to work. They love to play hide & seek, too. We go to the park when it isn't quite so hot. We also have a baby pool on the back patio that they splash in sometimes. Hannah LOVES Play-Doh. And I make them help me "work" in the garden, too. They have to throw the weeds in the garbage bag & hand me tools and help water the garden. My hubby grew up in Albuquerque so I'll have to ask him if he remembers anything fun. I am not a creative parent or a playful parent. I didn't like playing when I was a kid! :)

[cynthia1900]

I love to play...just a big kid here. I recommend you get a couple of books from the library to give you ideas - you can try different ones to find ones that you and your kids like. There are activity ones, arts and crafts ones, ones about ecology etc. I have found tons of really fun and educational things my kids like. Some of their faves are using a box for a tv (don't forget to make a remote so you can turn them on and off LOL) and they put on shows, playing mailman (create stamps with labels, create letters, wear a mailbag, create the mailbox and then deliver the letters), making books of pictures that tell a story, having treasure hunts (I draw map after map after map and they hunt for little treasures). My 2 year old loves dancing and making music and having parades around the house. She also loves "cooking" with pots and bowls and I put some macaroni or beans and a big spoon for her to stir. Play dough and painting are also faves. I put a big splat mat on the floor and let them make a mess on it - it washes off and my table is saved. Hope some of these help.

[DawnMarch]

My kids are a little bit older, but we used to spend a lot of time at the library where they had toys and storytime. Or fill up a kiddie pool with a couple inches of water (we have our on our covered back porch so they aren't in the sun too long). Or sometimes I'd give them paint brushes and a bucket of water and let them paint the back porch. We also have one of those sand and water play tables and they could play with that thing for a long time.

In desperation, one day, I did indoor sack races -- which I blogged about here (http://dawnmarchantphotography.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/03/mommy-tip-of-th.html).

[Sarah8914]

these are all good ideas! I try to play some with the kids and then let them play themselves for a bit too (they are almost 2 and almost 4). They love playing board games--like Candyland and memory. Even my 2 year old has fun without knowing what she's doing. Hullabaloo is also a great game they can play by themselves.

I just read a great idea I will try with my girls when it's cooler (way too hot now!). Mix equal parts water and cornstarch and add a little food coloring and you have sidewalk paint that's totally harmless. My girls would love it. But of course, that's something that requires some supervision, but it would be easy enough. Anyway, if I have more ideas, I'll let you know.

Paint with water is a great idea--my dd LOVES that and really would do it forever. The only problem is we ran out of paper too fast! :)

[cheltzey]

These are such great ideas! I think I just got into a rut today, because it usually seems like we have a lot of fun. But today was just one of those days! I think we'll be going to the library after naps...