Activities

Fun Activities: Keep Your Kids Busy

Distract your kids with stuff you already have around the house

By Barbara Rowley, Parenting
 
 
See Also
Our favorite organization ideas submitted by moms like you - Parenting.com
This intrepid mom discovers what it really takes to make the everyday easier - Parenting.com
Head to the park or your backyard and become one with nature with these outdoor activities - Parenting.com
Weekend Fun - Parenting.com
Getting your kid ready for the dropoff playdate - Parenting.com

Magic pictures


What you'll need: Masking tape, paper, markers or crayons
Best for: 18 months and up
  • Make a house or letter of the alphabet by putting strips of tape on a piece of paper. Have your child color the entire page.
  • Once she's colored the whole page, carefully remove the tape to show her the picture beneath.

Mythical creatures


What you'll need: Kid-safe scissors, catalogs, glue stick, paper, crayons
Best for: 2 and up
  • Have your child cut out pictures of people and animals. (You'll probably do the cutting for a toddler.) Cut heads off bodies.
  • Your child can mix and match heads and bodies and glue them to the paper, or draw his own bodies after gluing the heads.

Little weavers


What you'll need: Six rubber bands, sturdy cardboard or notebook, pencils, kid-safe scissors, paper
Best for: 2 and up
  • Place the rubber bands around a piece of cardboard. Toddlers can "weave" pencils over and under the rubber bands.
  • Preschoolers can cut strips of paper and weave these into the bands.

Polka-dot masterpiece


What you'll need: Paper punch, paper, envelope, glue stick
Best for: 3 and up
  • Punch out a few dozen holes and put them in an envelope for your preschooler. She can glue the circles onto another piece of paper.
  • When she's done, tape the paper with the punched-out holes onto another piece of paper; let her use it as a stencil by coloring in all the holes.

Barbara Rowley is a contributing editor to Parenting.


< PREV 1
2


PRINT
Quick Poll

How comfortable are you discussing your sex life with your man?

Totally. We're open about everything.
As comfortable as explaining s-e-x to my kids.
Why would I do that?!


ADVERTISEMENT
Popular on Parenting.com
Popular on Parenting.com
 
Photo Galleries

2009 Halloween Costume Contest Finalists

Check out the finalists of the 2009 costume contest - and find out which costume won!

promotion
 

Blog: The Daily Fave

Shawn: "Sure, it helps to know what a mucus plug is, but mostly guys need books that offers simple, streamlined, practical info that doesn't get bogged down with a lot of 'medical diagrams' or 'compound sentences.' Well have I got the book for you, Pops." Updated frequently.

Blog: The Parenting Post

Mighty Maggie: "I have been in charge of the family finances for about a year now and I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM DOING." Updated Daily!

The Best Toys of 2009

We're giving away over $900 worth of toys! Enter BOTH giveaways once a day until December 14
Birthday Parties

31 Amazing Birthday Cake Designs

Sweet! The easiest, cutest cakes for boys and girls