My (almost) 3 year old is finally to the age where he is enjoying things like crafts, imaginary play, and artwork. He has been a work in progress. His whole world the past 2 years has pretty much been balls, parks, bikes, and cars, which is great, don’t get me wrong. But its just fun lately to see his little hands working delicately, and seeing his mind start really start to open up and create.
Since summer ended a couple months ago, both of my boys (as well as myself) have had a bit of cold weather blue’s. It’s so easy to haul the kids outside when boredom or fussiness starts, but cold weather is not so cooperative, so we were finding ourselves indoors A LOT. Playing with toys, reading books, and helping me cook is great, but not day-in and day-out for 13 hour day’s. I think we all needed a change.
I started by setting up a kids table with 2 little chairs in our kitchen. I thought this could be their very own creativity center. After finding a few ideas online, we made a trip to Walmart and bought our supplies (pipe cleaners, cotton balls, crayons, markers, papers, string, popsicle sticks, etc, etc). Just cheap little trinkets that they can have fun with. Then I set them to work. And what do ya know, even my little 1 year old got into it. Some things they like better than others. Crayons and markers hold very little interest for them, but my 2 ½ year old could work on a foam sticker board all day, and my 1 year old just goes crazy for Rainbow Rice!
So here is my first post of some of our favorite stay at home activities. I have so many more I am so excited to post, so check back soon!
Since summer ended a couple months ago, both of my boys (as well as myself) have had a bit of cold weather blue’s. It’s so easy to haul the kids outside when boredom or fussiness starts, but cold weather is not so cooperative, so we were finding ourselves indoors A LOT. Playing with toys, reading books, and helping me cook is great, but not day-in and day-out for 13 hour day’s. I think we all needed a change.
I started by setting up a kids table with 2 little chairs in our kitchen. I thought this could be their very own creativity center. After finding a few ideas online, we made a trip to Walmart and bought our supplies (pipe cleaners, cotton balls, crayons, markers, papers, string, popsicle sticks, etc, etc). Just cheap little trinkets that they can have fun with. Then I set them to work. And what do ya know, even my little 1 year old got into it. Some things they like better than others. Crayons and markers hold very little interest for them, but my 2 ½ year old could work on a foam sticker board all day, and my 1 year old just goes crazy for Rainbow Rice!
So here is my first post of some of our favorite stay at home activities. I have so many more I am so excited to post, so check back soon!
Rainbow Rice
This is so so cool! Pretty much just think -sandbox- but much for fun, clean, and colorful. Originally I thought I would make a bunch of this and put it in our sand table outside, but I ended up using a large, “under the bed” container so we can use it indoors. We have been playing with it in our kitchen so when we are done, we just put on the lid and slip it under the bed (we have a downstairs bedroom). Sometimes there are spills but we just sweep it up, easy as pie. There are so many possibilities with this. Let them put on gardening gloves and use fake flowers and gardening tools to make a beautiful colorful garden– give them cooking supplies and let them make a Rainbow Rice feast — let them make car tunnels and Rainbow Rice roads — hide cut out letters and make them say the letter when they find it, etc etc etc. (ps... thank you Pinterest for this idea!)
How to make Rainbow Rice:
Measure 4 cups of rice and put into large Ziplock bag, add about 2 tablespoon of food coloring and about 1 ½ tablespoons of rubbing alcohol. Close the bag and shake to mix then spread on a pan or large plates and set outside in the sun until dry. Repeat with different colors as many times as desired.
*Note: The only issue we had with this is that my son thought it was “stinky” at first (from the alcohol). I sprinkled a bit of baking soda over it and the next day we did not have this issue. Although I am guessing the alcohol smell would have vanished after a day or two without the baking soda.
Pipe-cleaners and a Strainer
I saw this idea on a blog No One Has More Fun Than The Adams. Such a cheap, simple, totally entertaining idea! My oldest thought it would be fun to turn the strainer right side up and use the pipe-cleaners to make a giant Spiderweb, he then proceeded to "trap" his action figures inside..... Boys right?!
Touch-Boards for Toddlers and Babies
I have gotten into a habit of saving anything that has a unique feel to it. All you need are some household objects, some heavy duty glue, and a piece of cardboard/wood/plastic. Try, chains, locks, coins, soft things crinkly things, squeaky things, etc. So fun for the little ones and so economical!
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