Attention: Grandmas. Need ideas for little ones

12 years ago

So many Grandmas here, I thought we might share ideas for playing with the kids. Here's my contribution. By the way, mine are 2 and 3.

They love the salad spinner. Put small toys in and make them go around and around.

On youtube, Super Simple Songs are so charming and sweet I like listening to them myself. Hickory Dickery Dock is funny, Row Row Row Your Boat is so gentle, good for a last listen before a nap.

We had a "Toy Wash" on the patio. Put 3 riding toys out (Cozy Coupe, etc.) with a small pan of water and some paint brushes and rags. I didn't get the hose because I didn't want them getting soaked. They washed the toys and dried them with rags. They also like to write on the patio with chalk. I make them lay down flat and trace around them, then draw in the clothing, hair.

Oh, by the way, when there are squabbles over toys, I get out the timer and set it, when the timer rings, it's the other one's turn. That way it's the timer in charge, not me.

Any other ideas?

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Comments (13)

ivamae
12 years ago
Super ideas!!!!
MiMi
12 years ago
If it's nice and warm outside get them a bucket of water and an old paint brush and let them paint the heck out of the drive way, sidewalk etc... They really do love it.

Take a empty water bottle, probably 16oz or smaller would work. Cut the bottom out of the bottle and duct tape an old sock over the cut end of the bottle, leaving and inch or two of the sock hanging off . Take a bucket and make a mixture of water and dishwashing liquid. They dip the sock in the water and blow thru the top of the bottle, it makes hundreds of bubbles. This will keep them busy for a long time it's so much fun.
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socks
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, firewife.

Love that sock/water bottle idea. Does it need to be a thinner sock, like nylon? I'm thinking a cotton sock would be too heavy.Will definitely try that. Sounds foolproof compared to the wands. DH bought a battery run bubble machine, but it clogs too much.

Actually I started them "painting the patio" and it morphed into Toy Wash.
jeaninwa
12 years ago
get a stool, about 3 inches of sudsy water in the sink, and plastic dishes. Let them "wash" dishes.
susanjf_gw
12 years ago
we made a book one day...taught 2 of my 9, to maje English muffin pizza, and took pictures as we progressed...printed them off on the computer and they took the "book" home...their nana went one better and made on studier paper for an activity she shared with the girls...

oh funny story...the one dgd is now in 5th grade..she and her gf ran in to say hi when they picked up dh...she says gma do you still have a certain book? I did..she took it home! her mom says oh we cab give it to your youngest cousin...told her mom no! it's mine!..lol...
eileen101
12 years ago
Go to pinterest.com and under my "boards" I have many, many ideas for grandkids. The board is actually called Grandchild Ideas. When you go to pinterest, search for eileen foley lamparelli and you'll find lots of things for keeping the kidlets happy!
sheilajoyce_gw
12 years ago
Make Flubber and give them cookie cutters and rolling pins. Flubber is Elmer glue, borax and water. The recipe is on this site somewhere.
threejs
12 years ago
I have cheated a few times and will buy a couple of Pillsbury cookie dough tubes, when I don't have any homemade stuff in in the freezer. Their attention span I find does not last the length of time it takes to make the actual cookie dough, not to mention the mess and the step stools in the way and if there is more than one child the bickering of who's turn it is to do what. Sit them at the table and let them make their cookies. A long time ago I purchased a toaster oven at a yard sale, almost brand new, which we have used for all the kids as their own "easy bake oven" beats the heat from the regular stove and while they are playing with the dough at the table the oven doesn't have to be on waiting for them. The kids each have their own basket in the cabinet with their names on them, in addition to the ones that have craft stuffs, and one for the bath, rubber duckies and funnels, plastic squirt bottles etc. The kitchen one has their aprons, cookie cutters, kid size rolling pins, and the last one for lost n found items, that I usually find after they go home. They sort through it when they come back and make claim to what is theirs.
MiMi
12 years ago
Socks... it doesn't have to be a thin or nylon socks. I just used a regular ole cotton crew sock...
socks
Original Author
12 years ago
OK, great everyone. Thank you so much. Yesterday we made a fort with blankets, and it was so much fun.

Eileen I'm on Pinterest but have never used it much and not always sure how it works. I did find your site and the Grandma ideas and selected to follow. Not sure what this means! Anyway, thanks for the ideas.
kathyg_in_mi
12 years ago
Get out the washable paints and have the kids go rock hunting.Then they paint them!
Easy peasy.
liz
12 years ago
sooo many good ideas!!
threejs
12 years ago
You mentioned a fort with the blankets, we did/do the "boat" thing sometimes for a nap but most of the time for bedtime. The kids all love it and even my kids still talk about the adventures we used to go on. It was our time to wind down and we did it most weekends, especially in nasty weather. The boat got supplied with books, snacks, flashlights, favorite toy and blankies, and a plastic placemat map that I had found. They would close their eyes and pick a place. Off we went We take a portable radio, to check the time and weather, They used their imaginations and could make up the best stories. I used blankets, quilts, sleeping bags and pillows, whatever they wanted to gather and the living room floor was ours. They also knew there was no tv and what was dragged out had to be put back or there would be no more adventures. There was never a problem with cleanup time. One benefit is you get to lie there and grab a some rest with your eyes closed and listen as they talk on.....one regret I didn't tape some of the conversations for them. My daughter got through a couple of long hydro outages using this same activity, said the kids were very content and she said it was fun.

Attention: Grandmas. Need ideas for little ones

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ivamae

MiMi

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Attention: Grandmas. Need ideas for little ones

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