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Let's Pretend
Children have amazing and wild imaginations.
The next time you hear "I'm bored" or "What can we do",
give them a few household items, or let them make their own and watch
them expand into endless hours of fun and entertainment. The following
are just a few ideas to get the fun started and be sure to use your
imagination too!
Make an Obstacle Course
Obstacle courses can be a lot of fun, spark creativity and also be great
exercise for the little ones. These can be set up in and out of doors.
Pillows, chairs, tires and stools are just a couple of things that can
be used to be climbed, jumped and skipped over, through, around and
under. Time each child as they scramble their way through and have a
race. Best thing about these is that once they've done everything they
can think of with the first one, it can be torn down and set up again
another way. Have each child take turns in choosing the way it's set
back up.
Let's Play Dress Up
Don't give away all those old shoes, shirts, pants, hats, gloves and
costume jewelry! Set aside a special drawer or box for these item to
play dress up. Have children act out their favorite play, television
show or put on a fashion show. You'd be surprised exactly how cute she
really looks in your old high school prom gown. Be sure to take snap
shots or keep the video camera rolling!
Kid's Café
Set up old card table and let the children play restaurant. Have children
make up or use play money and menus. Children that can't write yet can
draw the food items on the menus. Give them some paper plates, cups,
plastic silverware, a little notebook and they're open for business.
Take turns being waiter, customer and busboy (or girl ).
Go Camping
This too can be played in or out of doors and the possibilities are
endless. If you have a smaller pop-up tent, it can be set up in the
living room. If you're taking this activity outdoors, you can hang an
old sheet over a clothesline securing with rocks at the bottom. Have
children draw or cut out windows if you're using an old sheet. (Remember
to keep for the next camping trip.) Set up some lawn chairs around your
faux fire and tell stories, sing songs, make smores in the microwave
or any other favorite camping activity. Go all the way and sleep there
tonight!
Movie Night
Go to your favorite video rental store and have your child help pick
out a movie for the whole family. Have children make tickets for the
show, play money, popcorn, baggies of dried fruit, paper cups of juice
or any other favorite snacks. Set these items up for "sale"
and have each family member "purchase" their tickets and munchies.
Then sit back and enjoy the show!
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Anita DeFrank is a Work-At-Home mom and publisher of Mommy's
Helper. With the Mission to provide the best resource for all that
are working at home and to make the dream of working at home a reality
to those who wish to.
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