| Are you constantly trying to come up with new | | | | their numbers and colors as well. You can give an |
| and exciting ideas for playtime with your kids? | | | | older child a sentence, then they cut out letters |
| Finding new playtime activities can be a challenge | | | | to make that sentence. Kids can be learning as |
| for any parent when it seems you've done every | | | | well as having fun.Finger Painting: Messy activities |
| activity in the book. There is good news | | | | like finger painting can be done with less mess |
| however- new playtime activities are more | | | | too. Just lay down an old shower curtain on your |
| numerous than you may think. Take a look at the | | | | kitchen floor to contain the paint splatters. Cut |
| following ideas. These can be done indoors, but | | | | open a few brown grocery sacks, bring out a |
| can also be changed into outdoor activities if | | | | few different colors of paint and you're all set. |
| needed.Obstacle Course: This first activity can be | | | | Kids love activities that are messy, and you'll have |
| set up easily in your living room, even if space is | | | | the mess fairly contained.Picture Hunt: This can be |
| limited. Just pull out a few chairs, bring out a | | | | used as a quiet time activity, and it is still fun for |
| stepstool, roll up a blanket, and lay down a few | | | | your child. Get a stack of your child's books and |
| pillows. You can also have your kids pick out a | | | | have them look for a particular picture in each |
| few items around the house to add to this | | | | book. You can time them to make it more |
| obstacle course. This activity is always a hit | | | | exciting for them.Guessing Game: This is another |
| because kids love crawling over and under chairs, | | | | quiet time activity but still fun. Just pick out a few |
| jumping over a blanket, stepping up and down on | | | | objects, have your child close their eyes, place an |
| a stepstool, bouncing from one pillow to the next, | | | | object in their hand and have them guess it. You |
| and running in a circle around a teddy bear. This is | | | | can even have your child pick a few objects and |
| an easy activity and fun for both you and your | | | | you close your eyes and guess. Kids always get a |
| kids.Personalized Placemats: Why not turn a boring | | | | kick out of seeing their parents play the same |
| coloring page into a personalized placemat by | | | | game.Other ideas: Making your own playdough, |
| laminating it. Better yet, add a few pictures of | | | | making puppets out of lunch sacks or socks, a |
| your child to make it a picture placemat. Also try | | | | toy hide and seek game- you hide the toy and |
| making a family placemat by having your child | | | | your child searches for it, doll or teddy bear picnic, |
| draw a picture of each family member, then | | | | building forts out of chairs and blankets. The |
| placing a photo of that family member next to | | | | possibilites are endless.The good thing is that all |
| each drawing.Musical Instruments: Making musical | | | | these ideas can be recycled, if an idea is a hit use |
| instruments out of household items is easy and | | | | it again in a couple weeks. A great resource to |
| inexpensive. For example, a paper towel roll and | | | | find new ideas are child-related websites. Go to a |
| some dry beans can make a long tamborine. A | | | | few different websites and jot down a list of |
| shoebox with a hole in the middle, and a few | | | | ideas to always have on hand.The main point is |
| rubberbands can make a guitar. An empty | | | | that playtime activities are numerous. You may |
| oatmeal container can be decorated and used as | | | | think finding new activities is a challenge, but use |
| a drum. Making their own instruments keeps kids | | | | the resources available and then be creative. The |
| busy and is a fun and creative idea.Scavenger | | | | most important part is to just have fun with your |
| Hunt: This activity just takes some preparation | | | | kids. If they see you having fun then they'll have |
| before you get your kids involved. Hide a few | | | | fun too- and isn't that the point of playtime |
| items around the house, write up clues for each | | | | anyway?This article has been brought to you by: |
| item, then let your kids find the items using the | | | | Smith is a stay-at-home mom of two toddlers, |
| clues you wrote out. This is a great idea for older | | | | with her third child due in May. She's created her |
| and younger children. Just make the clues harder | | | | own website called "Your Heart And Home", this |
| for the older kids, and easier for the younger | | | | website includes recipes, ideas, inspiration, and of |
| ones.Picture Scenes: Who doesn't have an old | | | | course shopping! You can find Stuff A Friend |
| stack of magazines and catalogs lying around the | | | | animal stuffing kits for your kids. Also Patty's |
| house? Put these dust collectors to work. Give | | | | Pretty Paper for notecards, notepads, and |
| your child a project by having them cut out | | | | stationary you can have personalized. Gift Can |
| pictures from these magazines and pasting them | | | | Builder is on her site too. This is a fun gift idea |
| on paper to make a scene. For example, if you | | | | where you can choose the gift can from a large |
| choose a zoo scene then have them cut and | | | | selection of themes, then choose from our huge |
| paste pictures of animals onto paper. Try a | | | | variety of fillers to make this gift truly unique. |
| number or color scene for younger kids, this not | | | | Come visit "Your Heart And Home" today! |
| only keeps them busy but can help them learn | | | | |