We've seen a lot of snow already this winter and snow days are becoming an often occurrence. So mom and dad if you go stir-crazy like me, here are some ideas to keep the kids busy.
Now keep in mind, I try to keep the activities and crafts as simple and quick as possible because my kids are at ages where attention spans are virtually non-existent. We move quick from one activity to the next.
Sensory Bins
This one is new to me and I already love it! You grab whatever big plastic container you have and fill it with some rice, beans, popcorn kernels, sand, water or — if you want to get fancy — those little water beads. Then you throw in buttons, cotton balls, feathers, chickpeas, plastic letters, wooden blocks, fabric scraps or beads.
Add some tools and instruments like an ice tray, tongs, scoops, syringes, muffin tins, baby food jar, funnels and a few spoons, really whatever you have around the house. This is great for fine motor skills, imagination and critical thinking. The Dollar Store is a gemstone for this one!
But do put a sheet or tarp under these things. They are messy!
Make instruments and form a band
I use stuff I already have around the house, so it often ends up being:
- Kleenex boxes with rubber bands around them for a simple guitar
- Tape the ends of paper towel rolls and fill them with beans or rice
- Cans with balloons stretched over the top for a drum ... or a pan (but that's louder and more annoying)
Kool-Aid Playdough
it smells good and looks good. The trick is getting the kids not to eat it. I guess if they did it's fine though. Here's what I use:
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 package Kool-Aid (any flavor)
- 2 1/2 to 3 cups flour
- 1/2 cup salt
- 3 tablespoons corn oil
- 1 tablespoon Cream of Tartar (if i have it on hand)
Mix the Kool-Aid into the boiling water. Then throw in the salt, cream of tartar and oil and knead that with flour.
Paint trucks and cars
This is one my kids started on their own. I was putting some laundry away when I walked into a much too silent room with two boys. They had opened all their paints up and started on a few of their 1,000 cars. Lots of giggles and fun... and made for a more interesting bath time.
Bath-time
If you prefer not to fill them with paint-covered trucks, how about shaving cream, balloons, balls, Legos or a few fun things we always have on hand:
Build a Ramps
Maybe this is a boy thing, but we build ramps out of any left-over material around the house. Yesterday it was a box from some toy we had gotten. This one allowed us to make both a garage and ramp for their Hot Wheels. We painted the cardboard, drew on it and taped it up. The kids love the homemade creations much better than most of their store bought toys.
Paper plate masks
I usually play helicopter mom while Mav uses his kid scissors and a bunch of glue and odds and ends we've gotten from the Dollar Store.
Fort Building
This one is always a hit with my boys and we often do a indoor picnic in our fort with snacks or lunchtime.
Paint Snow
Mix water and food coloring in a few different spray bottles.
Make Snow Ice Cream
Use cups, bowls or waffle cones if you want to get fancy:
- 4 cups snow
- 1/2 cup of half & half or whole milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Stir it all together and throw some sprinkles on top.
SLIME
Slime sounds fun, but I'm not about to make that in my home. Not with my children. No thanks. The Dollar Store is a great place to grab a bunch of craft stuff and store it away for snow days.
If you have questions about how I'm able to handle a busy work and home life, join my Facebook Group - Brie and Baby Three to get involved in the conversation.
You can also reach me on my Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram. Or email if you prefer - brie.groves@koaa.com.
If you're looking for more vlog content, check out KOAA News5 on your favorite streaming device, here's how.
