Bored Kids? Fun Ideas To Help Parents Entertain Young Children
69"Mom, I'm soooo bored!"
The ability of those words to push a mom's buttons is legendary. More than one mom has been known to spontaneously combust when measuring a bulging toybox, mountain of library books and brand new, very expensive video game against the weight of that simple phrase.
One of life's greatest mysteries is how our children can tire so quickly of all that we give them. If your child is becoming lethargic and uninterested in reading, coloring, bike riding or playing with toys this summer, here are a few remedies and resources for dreaded Bored Child Syndrome.
Board games are boring -- but not when you play this way!
Tired of the same old board games? You can recharge a child's interest by creating a life-sized version of the game! Most children are enchanted by the idea of becoming life-sized playing pieces on gigantic playing board.
Older children often find it fascinating and challenging to use a package of construction paper to create squares for a board game. Once engaged, they'll spend hours arranging and rearranging the paths the board game takes to create interesting twists and turns. Part of the fun is creating all the elements needed for the life-sized game. Dice can be created out of cardboard boxes. Paint the box or simplify things by guing on white paper colored with a black marker to create dots.
Preschoolers will need a simpler project. ChildrenRFirst, a great parenting resource based in Richmond VA, suggests entertaining preschoolers by using colored chalk and the driveway to create a life-sized version of the familiar and beloved Candyland Game. This project is more than just fun for young children; it fosters developmental and learning skills as well!
Owner Kristi Stilson has some other fabulous ideas for entertaining preschoolers with exceptional learning activities on her web site, and includes an Activity of the Month to keep parents supplied with fresh inspiration. Be sure to check out her web site at:
These Fairy Princess crafts will put a sparkle in her eye!
Do you know a certain little princess who could use a bit of extra sparkle in her life? She'll love making her own Fairy Glitter Gel and Glitter Play Dough!
Making Glitter Play Dough is as easy as mixing vegetable oil, cream of tarter and a few other pantry items together and adding a little ultra-fine cosmetic-grade glitter. Glitter Gel may require a quick run to the drug store to pick up a few ingredients; it requires aloe vera gel and glycerin.
Who knew it was so easy to create such magical products? I discovered both of these charming craft projects on a fun blog titled "Life's Little Treasures," where you'll find the complete recipes by following this link:
www.lifeslittletreasures.wordpress.com/2009/02/25/fairy-crafts
I do highly recommend using an inexpensive cosmetic-grade glitter product available at CVS and Walgreen drug stores. It's sold in the cosmetic aisle, under the Wet & Wild cosmetic line. It's available in hues of pink, white and lavendar. I have used this particular glitter product for years and have never experienced a problem.
Now that the princess has her own Glitter Play Dough and Fairy Glitter Gel, why not help her make a Fairy Princess Goblet? It's easy to tape together two paper cups and decorate with pretty ribbon, stickers or markers. You'll find instructions for this project on our Ask The Party Fairy web site, where we offer party planning tips and advice to parents planning home birthday parties. Here's the link:
www.askthepartyfairy.wordpress.com/Fairy-Craft-How-to-Make-a-Fairy-Princess-Goblet
You'll find some other enchanting projects for a summer afternoon on our Ask The Party Fairy site, too. Children adore building Fairy Houses in the back yard, and it's actually very simple to do, using natural products such as sticks, leaves, acorn tops, moss, pebbles and more. Fairies turn up their noses at plastic and synthetic materials -- so be sure to keep everything green.
We've also included simple instructions for twisting together a fun Fairy Floral Crown from pipe cleaners, pony beads, curling ribbon and a flowers removed from a tropical lei.
janice 20 months ago
These are great ideas for when we're at home. I've tried a few and the kids love them! When I'm away from home though, and I'm having trouble keeping my little one still, I give them my cell phone with a childrens game on it which they can play with. The Droid game 'Lenlen goes to the zoo' kept my boy entertained while I waited in a bank queue for 30mins :P