any ideas on how to occupy 3 children???

Question

Anybody got any pratical ideas how to occupy 3 children under 5, I do love my children but they drive me mad. I also have depression which does not help either. I do take them for walks/Parks and picnics in the garden I need some other ideas as they are so young.Which doesn't got much either. I don't have any other friends/family to help in the week. So pratical help would be great.

nice answers please!! or CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.

wow i like to thank you all for your great answers. I do most of them anyway but thanks just needed a little pick me up. Thank you all.

Answer 1

I have a four year old son he loves to do crafts, actually cutting paper is what he really likes. also playdoe. i let him think he is doing the dishes he loves to play in the water. I lay a couple towels down in front of the sink an get a chair out for him to stand on get out some plastic dishes and just let him do his thing, he likes to pour water from cup to cup and that usually keeps him occupied for a good half hour. I'm also guilty about TV time he gets a little lore when i am having a bad day. i also suffer from depression and a condition called fibromyalga so i can relate.

Answer 2

I understand.
First, I'm wondering whether you sought treatment for the depression. There is no reason why you should suffer with depression. Go get that dealt with or switch doctors.
Next, I think all parents who are isolated, as you seem to be, feel a certain amount of detachment from the adult world. You have three, under 5! That's huge! I applaud the efforts you're making now, and the fact that you want to do better. I think that's great.
Are there any programs at the library where you live? They usually have story time, and it's free. They are also a great resource for any community programs that may be available for you and the kids.
Kiddie pool in the yard. Do some finger painting, in the yard, hose them babies down before you bring them back into the house!
I'm not a huge supporter of advocating TV as a babysitter, but I think programs like Bear in the Big Blue House will serve you well. Flash cards, you may not get a lot of cooperation at first, but it's good to start working on colors, and numbers early.
Get some C.D's with kids songs, and and have sing along time.
You may not be a church person, I'm not, but they do alot of things for kids, so you should call them and ask.
I really think you should try to meet up with some parents who are in your same situation, so that you can hang out with them, and let your kids interact with other kids. Kids need the social skills, and you probably could use the combined total of 10 minutes worth of adult conversation you may get out of a two hour play date! Maybe you can advertise for play dates at the library, or talk to other parents at the park.
Good luck, I'm sure you're doing great, it's just hard to know that you're great when no one over 5 years of age is around to tell you!

Answer 3

The truth is your children need to join a play group. Many mothers are in your same situation and they need to get out and meet other people. Play groups help children interact with others, and it gives you a chance to help a mother with only one child who has no one to play with. It is a good way to meet mom's who have children the same age as yours so that when they start school you will have already developed a relationship that would allow you to trust one another with ride sharing and other activities.

Another idea is let them play "house". No it is not tv. The children dress up like mom and dad and pretend. Let them use your old stuff: purses, scarves, old shoes. You get to be the audience. It is great at helping them to learn dress yourself skills.

Another idea is let them play "school". This is where the older children teach the younger children what it is like in kindergarten. They can play in the afternoon when the older children get back from school. This might be good for next year. They will need coloring supplies and note paper.

Maybe they should be in preschool for a couple of hours a day to give you a much needed break.

This age group is great for do-it yourself stuff. Let them help you with household chores like dusting and doing dishes. Maybe they could put away the silverware which would help their matching skills. They can sort clothes between darks and whites and mediums. They could trade days so each has a turn. Be sure to praise them for being "mommy's little helper".

Even very young children are good at "fetch". Would you bring mom the newspaper, the mail, the broom, etc. etc.

Teach them how to help each other. They can play "beauty parlor" and comb each other's hair.

But most important of all is read to them. Everyday is story day.
Read all the classics.

I suppose there isn't enough internet in all the world to write all the stuff my mom did for me.

Answer 4

Depends on what type of children your children are if they're

Outdoorsey: Slip n slide, make mud pies, scavenger hunt, race in the backyard, water balloon fight, planting a garden, golf, baseball, football, soccer, dancing

Indoorsey: make home-made play dough, dress up, learn a dance, tea party, read a few books and draw a scene from the book, let them be little chefs and make a pizza, TV, music time and they can dance and sing a long

Take them somewhere, like Chuck E Cheese, the grocery store, and they can help you find things and be mommy's helpers, or to a museum, some museums are free on certain days for families. The zoo is sometimes free too on Holidays!

Answer 5

If it's nice get the paddling pool out, keeps mine amused for at least an hour, just getting in and out is great for the 15 month old! Then you can sit in a chair near them and just watch without having to do anything. A bucket and a toy watering can and they'll be well away. I know how you feel with the depression, it makes it harder to think about anything. When the holidays are over see if you can find any groups to go to. It will get better! LOL

Answer 6

How about baking cakes. In the hot weather you can get some paint brushes and paint the patio with water, then it dries up and you can start again.
If they are boys ball games are usually good.
You could get some kiddy music and sing and dance.
You could dump them in front of the tv.
You could feed the ducks at a local pond.
You could feed apples and grass to horses.
You could roll down big hills, provided there is no dog mess about.

You could wonder if it was a good idea to have them all so close together as well!
If all else fails, just sedate them.

Answer 7

If the weather is good try building them a den in the back garden where they can pretend its a house should keep them occupied just some chairs and a blanket and they can bring some toys outside.and they can picnic there at dinner time.
Tv is good if you are depressed i know i can get like that and just want time to be quiet and do nothing.
in the good weather a paddling pool does wonders as well.
Papers ,crayons and get them drawing.

Answer 8

Anything messy! Painting, Plasticine, collages etc. Depends how young they are. It's not easy I know. When my daughter was younger I would set her treasure hunts in the garden & in the house.

It's a difficult, epecially as you have 3 under 5. 1 under 5 is enough!

Roll on the end of the school hols!

Answer 9

Well, I don't have any children, I have little experience, but I thought I'd put my two cents in anyway. Well, it seems to me that small children like to be creative & sometimes messy! Maybe you could buy some different craft things. Paints & things & let them go at it like crazy, however they want to. It would be quite a mess later but they might stay busy for a little while. I hope you find some good answers!

Answer 10

crafts are a wonderful way to keep kids occupied and can be inexpensive. depending on how well your children eat there is always ants on a log..celery sticks,filled with peanut butter and raisins on top...or teeth and lips.. apples quarters with peanut butter and marsh mellows...nutritious and fun to make together using spoons. there is also dancing to the radio...you get to exercising and having fun as well as helping the kids learn rhythm and coordination. Then there is always the stand by sesame street, Dora ...etc. but that can get addicting for them and if you don't want them attached to things like that when older it is better to not get it started.....You didn't says what gender your children were so I gave a few ideas for all....little girls like dress up and little boys like worms and bugs..make a cake with gummi worms or bugs, let them stir....there is always play-do, non toxic,....or even clay, .....paste and tape and scissors for the older ones when the younger ones are napping...I wish you luck! I too had a few little ones together so I have had the same quandary. Luck to all mothers!!!!