Get huge boxes to explore and create! This is every little kid’s dream. I went to Lowe’s and a furniture/appliance store for our boxes. We cut in half large refrigerator boxes that they were going to recycle anyways! The kids decided where they wanted me to cut the doors and windows and we even painted them. We also had a long rectangular box that we turned into a boat.
CLICK HERE for a Peanut Butter Play Dough recipe or CLICK HERE for a regular play dough recipe! Make sure you cook the regular recipe enough so it's not sticky but just right.CLICK HERE to try a Homemade Finger Paint recipe
CLICK HERE for a really fun and easy Puffy Paint recipe. The kids especially LOVE the puffy paint which is really easy to make and you just pop their creations into the microwave for 30 seconds and it puffs up! The nine and five year old were at it for at least an hour.  |
| Puffy Paint |
Write a letter or draw a picture for a friend. Teach them about envelopes and how to put on the stamps.
We had a blast creating a puppet show (maybe make the "stage" out of a big box) and design everyone’s “tickets”
Have a dance party! CLICK HERE to listen to Pandora’s “Toddler Time” station. We love listening to this while cleaning or just for dancing or while playing!
Put up a small tent and play inside! We even draped Christmas lights around it. 
Make marshmallow sculptures (out of mini marshmallows and toothpicks) or butter sculptures (out of a stick of butter and plastic knife)Have a Hawaiian luau – wear sunglasses, make homemade leis, turn up the beach music, do hula dancing, learn about Hawaiian foods, ocean life, and culture.
Build a fort and play or read books inside with a flashlight. You could let your children use all the sheets you are about to wash. Brayden loves rearranging the cushions on the couch to make a "hideout."
Act out a book you are reading – for example do some of the actions as you read the “If you give a mouse a cookie” book.
Invite a child’s friend over (maybe even the child’s mom too!)
Play “Restaurant” with homemade menus and a set table!
Follow a recipe together! Have your child wear an apron and “help” you with every step. My sister-in-law Sharalee even has aprons and chef hats for her kids to wear!
A Plate of Bubbles – put a few drops of dish washing liquid onto a paper plate. Add some water, and blow slowly with a plastic straw to create big bubbles!
Pirate Scavenger Hunt. “Bury” hidden treasure like gold coins, jewelry, or treats and give them a “treasure map” with clues to where treasures are.
Paper Bag Puppets
Flashlight Fun – take turns putting red, yellow, and blue uninflated ballons on flashlights. In a dark room, see the colorful lights and try overlaying two colors to show how to make new colors.
Have an indoor picnic or enjoy hot chocolate with marshmallows
Create an obstacle course.
Put your child in the bathtub without water and let him “paint” with chocolate pudding or shaving cream.
CLICK HERE for 20 Ways to Use Magnetic Letters at Home!
How fun! You're a super aunt and mom!
ReplyDeleteMindy--I love this blog. You have such fabulous ideas all in one places and I love knowing you know exactly where I'm at, because we have kids exactly the same age (give or take 3 months). I get all excited and want to try everything here and then swell up with panic and have to remind myself, hey, one step at a time, right? We did try the puffy paints though and Wally LOVED them. Thanks for taking the time to do it and thanks for being an awesome example! You're the one who showed me those cute soft baby shoes back in the wymount days. I've been making them every since. Thanks!!
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