Keeping young kids entertained can be quite a challenge. They are constantly on the move and their attention span leaves a lot to be desired. But here are some fun ideas that will keep your little one busy for hours on end.
Blow bubbles!
Keep bubble solution on hand as a delightful solution to little people’s boredom. Use a variety of objects as bubble wants – berry baskets, pipe cleaners bent in fun shapes or cookie cutters. Make your own bubble solution to save money. Blow them outside and catch them
Let Them Paint
Give your preschooler a paint brush and a bucket of water and let them “paint” the porch or sidewalk. They can also paint in the bathtub.
Make a Necklace
Let them string large beads or buttons onto yarn. Tape the end to make it easy to thread. Plastic cording used in camp crafts is perfect for stringing beads. Make sure they are old enough not to put the beads in their mouth. You can also string macaroni.
Scissor & Cutting Fun
Preschoolers love to cut and paste. Help them cut or precut magazine pictures and let them use a glue stick to glue them into a homemade notebook. Purchase plastic safety scissors with rounded tips designed just for young children to avoid injury.
Make a Person
Trace your child onto a large sheet of butcher paper or newsprint and let them color and draw their clothes, hair and features. Glue on yarn hair, fabric for the clothes or even real shoelaces in the shoes.
Fingerpaint is FUN
Let them finger paint with shaving cream on the kitchen table. Another idea that works great in the bathtub and cleans the tile too.
Read a Book
Read to your little one. Children love being read too. Make sure you have baskets of books at their level to enjoy so they can “read” too.
Mess Free Painting
Purchase paint with water books for mess free painting. Just a paintbrush and water and they will spend hours making their own masterpieces. You can find these in any department store.
Milk Jugs & Clothespins
Give them a clean, empty gallon milk jug and some clothespins. Show them how to try and drop them into the top of the milk jug. They will spend hours doing this. Simple and old fashion often works the best.
Water Play
Let them play with water. Fill the dishpan with warm water and let them “wash” lids, toy dished or spoons. Place a rug under the chair at the sink for easy clean up of any leaks or drips.
