Hi, I have 2 preschoolers, 2 k-gradeners, & 1 5th grader and her friend today, all unhappy,screaming, fighting, board, and driving me crazy!
I believe that getting them out of the house would be a good idea, but when the zoo, the aquaium, & the emaginariem is not an option...What do some of you do on days like this?
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your answers, I ended up taking them down to McDonalds to play for a bit. That was the kind of day where I had already tried all of the fun indoor games and painting, I think they had cabin fever. On Sat. we took the dog for a walk and everyone had to walk on their tip-toes :0) we had fun making up stories on our path.
I plan on trying some of your other tips in the future, Thanks!
I don't live in your area so I don't know of any out of the house places but when my kids get really bored I always pull out the playdough and or paints. I know they are messy but the kids love em.
We love swiming, nature hikes, and bird watching- everyone has to be quiet to keep from scaring away birds!
I would totally make it an arts and crafts kind of day. Moon sand, play doh, finger paints, glue and cut outs, coloring books, tactile boxes with dried beans or pasta and cups and spoons, go to nick jr.com or pbskids.com and get some crafty ideas for kids of all ages.
Or you could have them all help you bake some cookies with each one having a special role to play, and then you could pop some popcorn and watch a kid friendly movie.
Build a great big fort out of all the blankets in the house and let them have some fun exploring their imaginations together may be another option. Good luck! You are one brave woman!
Hi J.! I'm J.. I have to laugh at what you are going
through, because I had four kids in five years and I had to
determine to stay sane, so I got busy, just like you are doing
and found ways to keep my little ones BUSY during the day.
First, I went out and got a "personal" trampoline (one of the
small round ones-- like $40 ) and every time one of my older
ones did something that irritated me, I would force myself to
invite that one to "have fun jumping on the trampoline". It
was a WIN/WIN situation. By the time they finished (once they
get going, they don't want to quit!), I was in a better mood
and they had gotten all the beans out of their britches!
Then, the other thing I did was get a big roll of butcher block paper (I think you can find it at Costco) and I
COVERED our diningroom table with it and let them color ALL
OVER it. Sometimes, I would draw something and have them
try to draw the same thing, or I would introduce them to
their ABC's, etc. Once they saw ME drawing on the paper, they
wanted to join in the fun, and because the paper was all over
the whole table, they didn't have a chance to make a mess!
I eventually got really good at providing them little
projects and activities to do...something like a pre-school
would do. Some days we would have a stuffed-animal parade
through the house, and I have some really cute videos of those
parades, which now my kids love to watch. I always kept the
TV time limited, though, because it really hyped them up.
We lived on the top of a mountain, so sometimes we were snowed
in, but in good weather, I always took them for walks. We
had so much fun!!! You will too. Just get creative and
have a good time with your kids and don't get too freaked
out about the mess.
Hope that helped. Feel free to write back.
:>) J.
Bless your Heart with two sets of twins!! I have two kids 5&1, My husband and I are trying for our third. I'm praying that we have twins. Anyway to your question... There is not a lot that I do to get out of the house other than a park, or you can take them to Mcdonalds and let them loose in the play area you can set back and just keep an eye on them. I hope this helps! Have a great day!!
drawing with the children is great idea.going to the park .going for a ride in the car. looking around at the mall .or going out for ice cream is great .going to a movie.or just popping in a video and sitting back is good to do when the weather is bad outside.going and visting family or friends always cheers my girls up.
What's the emaginariem?
Wow! I can see that you have your hands full! It sounds like your kids have a lot of energy, so a trip to your local park or to the library a wonderful - and free - options.
Try Googling the Oregon City Website for information on several activities and places to go that would be of interest. For example:
1. Oregon City's beautiful parks, many equipped with playground and sports facilities.
2. The library has story time hours and helpful librarians who are great at helping kids and their moms find books, games, magazines, and activities. The library is in the same building as Danielson's grocery store.
3. Oregon City Swimming Pool has swim classes for all ages, and open swim times too.
4. Historic homes to tour to learn more about the city where your children are growing up.
There's also the End Of The Trail interpretive center, and community classes for all ages.
Each quarter of the year Oregon City sends out a pamphlet with a map showing the parks, classes available, a swim schedule, and information about special activities. I think the next one should come out in the spring, so look for it in your mailbox, and save it for those days like this one! :-)
Hope this helps!
If you like to cook, that's a fun way to keep them busy. Make cookies and decorate them with colored icing, pull taffy, (that was my fave when I was a kid) make ice cream by hand, make fruit salad with everything chopped into tiny bits...can take an hour :-)
Also. some times when I have a bunch I give each a dollar and we go to the Dollar Tree. Everyone has to buy something that they can play with someone else. They can get anything as long as it's something to play- hair bobbles and play salon, puzzles, toys, art pens. Then they play! Woo Hoo.
Bless your heart! I have two year old twin boys. But two sets. :) You need a mommy award. :) I'll see if I can think of a few ideas but you've probably already thought of them.
1. sledding
2. www.pbskids.org
3. http://www.toddlertoddler.com/archivedactivities.htm
4. Barnes and Nobles train set and then share a cookie afterwards.
5. The library. I know there are activities for kids.
6. Not super cheap but we tried it once and its great. Artic Gymnastics has an open gym time. Lots of great stuff to play on. $5. Kinda spendy though if you have more than one kid.
7. McDonald's play area.
go to the park. or to the play place in the mall. or to the library to get books
Carls Jr. The kids can let it all out there. I go there to relax as the children yell and scream and wear themselves out. You'll love it. It's safe but bring some hand sanitizer!!! I live in Wasilla also so with this wet weather we cant go sledding or anything outside. Carls Jr. saves mine and my 2 boys lives!!! LOL
