Need some creative activity ideas!

ILoveBoys

So since my kids have been playing with the same bucket of toys for the past 4 months (since our things are still in storage for a while longer), and it's 90 degrees+ everyday now, and momma is big and pregnant lol, what are some things you do to keep your kids from being bored and/or sitting in front of the tv during the day?
     I DO take them outside, but only usually last about 30-45 minutes before I get really hot and need a break. We go to the swimming pool, but usually not until the evening when DH gets home. There is a park close by, but it's kind of small, and they don't like to go too many days in a row or they get bored. We read books for over an hour this morning, but past that, I had nothing. Help!
    Note: Louder indoor activities are partially out, my BIL works overnight and sleeps downstairs during the day. My SIL is a typical teenager and stays up late and sleeps all day....its 130 and she is still asleep. Her room is upstairs.

Dani123

My nieces LOOOOOOOVE scavenger hunts, and theyd be even BETTER for your kids age because theyre older...

I make a list of the same items or diff ones, you choose...give them theyre own list , or they can do it together as a team.

You can do it with a cart of some sort where they have to collect the items OR (what I do) its just a visual, they have to just FIND what I write and then when all are check off, I call them off and they tell me where they are.

For example, a purple dragon (is on a dueling dragons disney ride frame in LR), a pink pig is a magnet on the fridge, an orange X is from the alphabet mat on the floor, etc.  You can make it as easy or more complicated as you want!  Plus theyre outa your hair while theyre searching.

clp1027

Do they like crafts? My older DS always loved using scissors and glue when he was younger! He also enjoyed helping with any kind of cooking (pouring, mixing, measuring). I don't know about everyone, but we blow bubbles in the house. We have hard floors, so the mess is easy to clean up.

Read2Me

Feel free to check out my blog- I chronicle all the crafts and other activities I do with Eva:

https://littlelearnerslounge.blogspot.com/ 

dnagal

Kiddie pool in the backyard.  Set up a chair for yourself with a clip on umbrella on it and put your feet in the pool. 

Maybe set up the sprinkler too, get the lawn watered while the kids dash between the kiddie pool and the sprinkler.  

Maybe set up those floating pool target games in the kiddie pool (floating ring toss?)

 

ILoveBoys

dnagal:

Kiddie pool in the backyard.  Set up a chair for yourself with a clip on umbrella on it and put your feet in the pool. 

Maybe set up the sprinkler too, get the lawn watered while the kids dash between the kiddie pool and the sprinkler.  

Maybe set up those floating pool target games in the kiddie pool (floating ring toss?)

 

Those would all be awesome, except the way my IL's condo is setup, they don't actually have a hose in the back. Only in the garage. We aren't in our own place yet.

brightning

Just a few little things:

I freeze some of DD's little plastic toys in layers in a loaf/other pan. She plays outside splashing warm water on them to rescue the toys.

Outdoors in the morning/evening (or in the bathtub), I give DD a big pile of shaving cream and let her have at it! When she's finished, then I give her a bucket of water and sponges and she washes herself off (and my legs). I knew a little boy who was obsessed with cars and he would make elaborate roadways with the shaving cream.

Use painters tape to make roads on the floor and the boys can play with that. Fun for walking on, driving cars, having toy parades, etc.

In a similar vein, I cut out a bunch of footprints and would arrange them all over the house. DD had so much fun with this for days!

My DD doesn't love the park, either, but we often go right as it's starting to get dark and she gets to pick 3 things to do. It gets her out of the hosue before bedtime, for us it's only a short walk, and she likes it much better when we're there for just a short time.

My DD has lots of fun outside with a bunch of bowls of water. She pour, pour, pours to her heart's content. I give her sponges cut into quarters and a garlic press and she squeezes all of them dry when she's done.

If you can get a big long roll of paper (easel paper, we get ours really cheap at Ikea), you can make lifesize paper dolls of the boys and they can color those in, along with clothes.

We also do a lot of theme days. The other day was manatee day. We made a manatee mobile, had an underwater-themed lunch (I don't have the skills to cut out a manatee sandwich!) and I put a blue blanket on the floor and DD pretended to be a manatee for a long time.

And finally, when DD is getting super cranky and tired of being cooped up, we'll go to Subway for takeout and bring it somewhere to eat (as long as it's not home!). Sometimes the park, a friend's house, or even eating at the Subway.

GL! I think I'd be going crazy being cooped up like that!

eajanvrin

Does your local library have a storytime?  Usually it is a themed day with books and then a craft after.