Hands off activities

amother

OP ↓

Fri, Jul 26 2024, 12:06 am

Hi,
I will be having my kids (1.5-8) home for the rest of the summer, and I am looking for ideas to keep them entertained without heavy parental involvement/supervision (gotta get stuff done too).
Aside from sprinkler and videos, any other ideas of activities that can keep them entertained for a good while without my active involvement?
TIA!

amother

Copper

Fri, Jul 26 2024, 12:13 am

I also have 3 kids home - 1.5yr old, 4 yr old and 8yr old. Bh my 4 yr old can play nicely with my 1.5yr old for quite awhile. She plays dolls or kitchen with her and likes to be the mommy.
But it's really hard. Even with all the activities, crafts and games I plan, there are still so so many hours in the day. The two big ones are on screens way too much
Some things that have been good
Lego
Kinetic sand
Craft bin from walmart
Making paper airplanes
Building things from cardboard boxes
Water table
Digging in the backyard
Making a tent with chairs and blankets
We go to the library at least once a week and take out tons of books
I let them help me cook sometimes, even though it takes twice as long.

amother

↑ OP

Fri, Jul 26 2024, 7:01 am

amother Copper wrote:

Yes! Gosh, I didn't want to vent, just wanted ideas.. but this felt so validating to read!
My challenge is if I tell my kids - it's playing with toys time, or outside time they'll resist. They want to do something. Particularly one is constantly wanting fancy trips and experiments etc. On their own time, if they get in the mood, they can entertain themselves nicely for hours! (It just isn't necessarily at the time I need them to..much more likely when I'm not around...)

Love the cardboard box idea. I can let them craft from the recycled bin.

Any suggestions of things to cook together with them? I was going to make another thread about that.. but may as well here!

Thanks!