My kids are 8 and almost 3. I'm not the best at having fun with my kids, so I really need some help. I'm on leave from work, so I need some low cost ideas. Indoor and outdoor activities....it's 98 outside today, so we are definitely staying indoors.
Thanks
2007-07-09 02:35:47 · 16 answers · asked by Mel 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
So far...you have all given me such great suggestions, but I think the best one was probably to plan out the day...the day before. Keep them coming...we will appreciate them so much this summer. Thanks again.
2007-07-09 04:18:14 · update #1
Indeed yes I can. I have several ideas here, first you can invest in a plastic pool, which is always a welcomed relief for the young ones, and a plastic sandbox as well. The sand is pretty reasonable, at least it is where I live. Children love playing with sand and making things. You can purchase a cheap plastic pool and sandbox at your local Dollar Store; toys and things for children are very cheap and reasonable there as well.
Next, you could make a trip to your zoo for a day; animals are fun. Put your 3-yr. old in a stroller and have your 8-yr. walk. Get them both a little backpack filled with water and a few little munchies, as they probably will be hungry and thirsty as well. Spending the day at the zoo is most satisfying to the children; they love it! And some zoo's have the I-max theatre, which is super, and free as that comes with your ticket purchase. They have some great nature films; animals, the rain forest, etc. May be a bit too much for your little one, but your 8-yr. will enjoy it.
Got a library close? Take a day for a library run. It's fun choosing books and just being there for a few hours. Sometimes they have story-time with a reader and a puppet show (ours here does). Give them a call first, or check them out on the web for their schedule events.
You can always go to your park and have them play. Take along a friend, that makes their day go by faster and they love having one of their playmates with them.
For more options, your local swimming pool. That's another treat that the little ones like. And, your video store where you can have your kids pick themselves out a movie to watch (especially on the days where it's just too dog-gone hot to go out to do anything, or if it's a rainy day). And talk about a rainy day, as long as it's not producing any lightning, having them play outside in the rain in their swim suits is a real treat; I used to do it myself as a child. (just something different and quite fun).
If you have a big tree in your back yard, making a homemade swing is great. You may need to have help on that, though. But it sure would be fun for your little ones.
For a day filled with activities, invest in some cheap crayons and coloring books, modeling clay and even sidewalk chalk and have those items on hand when your little ones are somewhat on the bored side. Coloring is always good, and modeling clay is fun to play with as well. Just use your old cookie cutters and press out the clay and just let them be creative with it.
Don't forget the bubbles. Who doesn't enjoy those? I still do to this day, and just love blowing bubbles on a windy day to see how far the wind will take them. (the Dollar Store is cheap on those, but I've noticed Wal-mart has the 1/2 gal. size pretty cheap with a big bubble blower inside).
For some craft ideas, you could give them some some yarn's, buttons, scrap paper, old egg cartons, glue, stickers, glitter, crayons, and magazines to cut out things such as animals, clothes, cars, food, etc. and have them put together a collage. Also, you could cut out a triangle piece of paper and with yarn or a string, have them make themselves a kite. They can decorate it anyway they want.
A good idea here is, a quick trip to your local library to check-out a craft book for kids would be recommended for other ideas in which you have the supplies to help them make other craft items. Old shoe boxes are good, and panty hose are great. For the pantyhose, take the hose and cut them off at the ankle. Then have your kids put pieces of old broken unused soap in them. Make a knot after you have filled it, but don't fill it full. Then they will have their own personal soap ball for the bath or even to play in their own pool. Watch your little ones' eyes in splashing.
Take a day out to bake and decorate cookie or cupcakes, that's always a big hit. And, if they like pizza, get some English muffins; sour dough is good, some tomato paste, and of course your ingredients; cheese, pepproni, and the veggies they like and have them make their own little pizza's.
You could also do an ice cream treat and could invite a few of their little playmates over and have them make their own. Have some sprinkles on hand, choc. chips, a few flavors of ice cream toppings, don't forget the cherries, you could add some banana chunks; just be creative and let them have fun! There's always something you can do with children. Plan each day out the day before and just "go for it," it will be a most enjoyable and productive summer that will last in your memory forever.
Enjoy your children. They grow up so fast. Make their childhood one of fun, excitement, memorable and loving!)
2007-07-09 03:20:55 · answer #1 · answered by JoJoely 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a 3 and a 5 year old, both step children, I know your pain... I have found that when money is tight and there isn't really anything going on that chalk and bubbles can be a lot of fun! We draw pictures together and tell stories with them, or i'll draw a train or a boat or something and we'll take a pretend trip somewhere. They also love going to the playground in our neighborhood. I let them help me with things too b/c at those ages helping mom out is a big deal and it makes them feel very important, so i'll bring a stool over and let them help me put clothes in the laundry or help me mix ingerdients for our dinner or something.
2007-07-09 07:00:50 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could try swimming,soccer,football,foose ball and lots of other stuff and try out slip n' slide thats always fun!
for indoors you can try out scrap booking,and try making a fort out of blankets and tell storys!,puzzles,making dominos fall over and fun stff like that! any thing you pick will always be fun in there eyes.
Well good luck on finiding something they love
2007-07-09 02:40:15 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Write a book together. Let each one come up with part of the story and actually write it down or record it. Its a great bonding tool and will bring lots of memories. Have water fights outside and let them help you cook. Little things can make kids very happy.
Good Luck
2007-07-09 02:46:00 · answer #4 · answered by Candygirl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know of a good place to take them too if you can afford it... It's not a bad price and plus if it's in your state or area... check out this website http://www.incrediblepizza.com/
I took my niece and nephew to meet with my friend and her daughters. The youngest is 4 yrs old and she said it's better than chuck e cheese.. And truthfully it is better and cheaper.. It will cost you $6.99 plus $0.99(drinks w/refill) = $8 plus tax.. 8 yrs old will cost $4.99 plus $0.99(drinks w/ refill) = $6 plus tax... 3 yrs old is free... You only paying altogether for the 3 of you a total of $14 plus tax which is really not bad... yet alone at chuck e cheese you would probably be spending double or more..Just a thought... It's indoor... Take them to the library... Good luck!!
2007-07-09 02:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by lilrose 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, on nice days me and my dad would go picture taking. Its a low- cost, fun way to enjoy the beautiful day. They will also develop good camera skills. Its a good hobby to have.
It can also teach them the beauty of nature, help them to relax, feel pride in something they have helped to create (the photo).
You can also enlarge and frame the photos for even more pride in thier work. (This is also a good cheap way to decorate your walls)
2007-07-09 03:11:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Buy green trash bags for 4 bucks and buy either some Dishwashing soap or some shampoo .. and pour it all over the bags and spray them down with the hoes.. and you will have a slip and slide It alot of fun..
2007-07-09 02:41:11 · answer #7 · answered by kazapim 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to a baseball game.
Have a picnic in the park.
Fly a kite.
Go to the zoo.
Create art (crayons, etc.)
Go to the beach.
Subscribe to a parents magazine for more ideas. Better yet, ASK THEM what they would like to do.
2007-07-09 02:39:14 · answer #8 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi, I'm 9 years old and my mom said I could answer your question:
if you stay inside then u can color,paint,etc.little kids (like me)like to make stuff like pictures that are made of different things. if you have things like buttons yarn ribbon or things like that and colored paper too. one time we we made magnets we had these glass bead things about the size of a quarter.then we had google eyes stuck them on there and made a smile with glue and glitter.then we put a magnet on the back.
2007-07-09 03:24:15 · answer #9 · answered by MissLib-R-T76 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
water balloon fights in the back yard to keep cool
finger paints (use your feet for fun!)
make a tent out of sheets and have a sleep out or picnic
play hide all the stuffies and go on safari (inside or out)
outside chalk on sidewalk or porch is great fun
hide and seek
catching fireflies! (my fav)
see how many wildflowers you can find
Ohh-BUBBLES
2007-07-09 02:42:16 · answer #10 · answered by punxy_girl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋