|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 13, 2016 15:15:41 GMT
I am watching 3 kids this summer and I am gathering up some of my craft supplies to take over to their house for us to work on while I am there.
I thought I would do a bingo style pick. I am splitting the bingo numbers into 2 containers I will paint them 2 different colors. 1 container will be for the days we stay home and the other container will be for when we have adventure days. Which I am going to have Monday, Wednesday and Friday will be stay home days. I need stuff to fill about 10 hours of time without being over whelming. I figure I will put time limits to each activity but as we do the activity we can decide how long we want to do it so we don't always have to do something for an hour or 2 hours we say we pick the number for coloring we will chose how long at that time we will color. then when pick another number after we clean up the coloring mess.
So I need some ideas for easy to do crafts and other activities for kids 7 boy, 8 and 9 girls.
They love crafts.
I have
1. Painting small bowling pins (they can paint them any way they want) 2. writing in a journal 3. scrap booking (The adventures we go on this summer) 4. coloring 5. planting a plant and taking care of that plant everyday 6. watch a movie 7. Play a board game 8. play video games as a team (I did this with Amanda and she thinks the kids will like this) 9. We have a WII and I thought it would be fun to do the sports stuff with the kids. 10. reading at least 1 hour a day. no matter what we do. 11. make something out of a box of miscellaneous craft stuff. just random stuff I will put in a tote. 12. fuse beads 13. pony beads 14. something with yarn. I don't knit but I do have those knifty knitter looms and we have too much yarn. 15. painting anything on canvas and or paper I have water colors (daughter can't use them so I thought I would take them over there and use them with the kids)
I don't know how many numbers are in bingo but I can give the activities more than one number if need be.
We are going to add in there some math and other school related study kind of activities. Just to keep them thinking.
My friend and I are trying to give them some kind of structure during the day and keeping them busy is a big thing because they do live at a motel (mom is the living in Manager) They don't have much room to play outside except in the parking lot. So that is where Tuesday and Thursday comes in with adventure days. They need to get out and run and play but I told mom I will not be having them outside in the parking lot when I am watching them. They do have a small area around the side we can go out and do some activities out there. The son is into sports so mom is thinking of getting him into some kind of sport this summer but she is still thinking about it.
|
|
|
Post by nlwilkins on May 13, 2016 16:15:31 GMT
latch hook is something that could occupy their minds and hands How about learning new language? That could be fun if handled the right way. Get some tapes or watch videos. Make everyone use that language for a certain time period each day. A larger paint by number painting would last longer than simple projects. Plus those kits provide everything that is needed. Of course, it all depends upon the age of the children. But, I would hesitate to have them do things that end up making junk that is never used again or ends up in the trash. Larger projects can give them pride and a sense of accomplishment.
|
|
|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 13, 2016 16:38:38 GMT
I thought about doing larger projects. and that might happen in time but the boy is not that into sitting for long periods of time doing the same thing. He wants to do something for a few minutes and then move on. One of the girls can sit and read for hours. The boy doesn't like to read at all and the oldest daughter will read only when told to. So that is one thing we are needing work on.
I am trying to keep all the kids doing the same thing at the same time.
I like the idea of latch hook rugs they can pick them out and we can make them and they can hang them on their bed room walls. But those take a long time. and money to buy them. The big goal on the crafts is to use my craft supplies I already have That I don't use.
I don't want to do paint by numbers because I want them to learn how to do different techniques I learned in water color painting. I had so much fun in the classes I took I thought I would share that with them. Plus I have a tote full of water color supplies and a bunch of water color tablets.
|
|
scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
|
Post by scorpeao on May 13, 2016 17:59:03 GMT
On one adventure day you could go out in search of smallish (egg sized) flat rocks that on a stay at home day you can paint. Then, next adventure day you go out and abandon the rocks in various places.
|
|
|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 13, 2016 20:28:12 GMT
On one adventure day you could go out in search of smallish (egg sized) flat rocks that on a stay at home day you can paint. Then, next adventure day you go out and abandon the rocks in various places. Awesome idea
|
|
johnnysmom
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,682
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
|
Post by johnnysmom on May 13, 2016 20:44:39 GMT
10 hours a day? All summer? In a motel room? Do they have a lot of toys available for free play? That's a LOT of time to fill! Is there a park nearby that you can walk to each day?
A few ideas: Do they have lots of legos? Print off general lego instructions for building different things Have them take turns planning/cooking dinners DS just brought home a paper for an online summer book reading (like they have at libraries, but it's online, maybe see if there's something like that around there) A mini indoor veggie garden kit
|
|
|
Post by Linda on May 13, 2016 22:04:33 GMT
jigsaw puzzles
card games (Skipbo, Mille Bourne, Uno, Old Maid...)
collages (random assortment of stuff or old magazines to cut up and let them design a picture - you can give guidelines "design a flower", "use different shades of a single colour" or let them go wild)
make mobiles (use a wire coat hanger)
definitely reading time
storytime (you read to them)
charades
make puppets and put on a play (paper bag puppets are fun)
I don't know what it's called but I remember doing it in school at that age - you cover a piece of paper with rainbow stripes using crayons and then cover the top with a black crayon and scratch designs in the black (the rainbow shows through)
fingerprint designs - you can either use paint or ink and either make designs like a flower using the 'dots' from the fingerprints or you can use a pen/pencil to add details for example turn a fingerprint into a spider by drawing on the legs
make a flag for Flag Day or 4th of July with construction paper and foil stars (or die cut stars)
|
|
|
Post by Linda on May 13, 2016 22:06:33 GMT
I would suggest some indoor exercise as well - running in place, jumping jacks, situps, pushups, planks, my 9 y/o likes to do the 1-mile walk away the pounds with me.
|
|
|
Post by pmm on May 13, 2016 22:43:56 GMT
I didn't read all the replies. If you have parks close by, I would go to the park every morning.
When my kids were young, we would get up every morning have breakfast and clean up. We were at the park by 9. We played until 1130-12 and then went home for lunch. Then nap time.
Our park was within walking distance and there was always a bunch of kids and parents playing. I met some of my best friends at the park and I wouldn't trade that time for anything.
|
|
|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 14, 2016 4:11:39 GMT
10 hours a day? All summer? In a motel room? Do they have a lot of toys available for free play? That's a LOT of time to fill! Is there a park nearby that you can walk to each day? A few ideas: Do they have lots of legos? Print off general lego instructions for building different things Have them take turns planning/cooking dinners DS just brought home a paper for an online summer book reading (like they have at libraries, but it's online, maybe see if there's something like that around there) A mini indoor veggie garden kit No they are not in a motel room they are in a 3 bedroom apartment attached to the office. Yeah I am going to sign them up for the summer reading at the library. That is some where we can go on our adventures. They all three like reading but the youngest girl loves reading like Amanda did when she was a kid. Heck Amanda still loves to read. They have a small garden area outside their apartment they can plant a plant. They already have a veggie garden going. I got an idea tonight when i was there visiting after getting my car back. The boy brought out some nails, a hammer and a piece of wood. He wanted to hammer something really bad. but mom was busy and he had homework. so I thought I would have them make a birdhouse.
|
|
azredhead
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,755
Jun 25, 2014 22:49:18 GMT
|
Post by azredhead on May 14, 2016 4:52:14 GMT
HomeDepot does classes for kids. Here's the website and they're free. HomeDepotKidsI know my SIL's have done this a few times with their kids and they love it! If you have one in your area. Felt projects are also big with my neices and nephews. There's loads at the craft stores. Coloring books - there are so many different ones with the new trend or even print some on Pintrest.
|
|
wellway
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,760
Jun 25, 2014 20:50:09 GMT
|
Post by wellway on May 14, 2016 6:19:32 GMT
Plain white plates and mugs and different coloured sharpie pens to decorate. Then "cook" in the oven to set. If they like to draw you could get a large roll of plain paper and let them draw a syscrapper/mansion/palace/sports stadium, floor by floor. If they like soccer, you could follow the Euro16 contest this summer, make it a geography type exercise, then select a country to support, let them research some facts to share with the others, make flags, learn a few phrases (google translate is your friend). In fact, they could make their own type of top trump cards. Make a blanket tent in the garden and have a picnic with food/drink they have made. They could make bunting, pompom garlands, windmills etc. Check out this book on pom poms, who knew you could make such amazing looking pompoms, striped, hearts, day of the dead skulls! www.amazon.co.uk/Pompomania-30-cute-characterful-pompoms/dp/1849496749/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1463206139&sr=1-1&keywords=pompomaniaBe Romans for the day, make clay pots, (you roll the clay out like snakes and layer up, then let air dry) Make swords, shields, helemts, togas etc. Eat like a Roman. Make mosiacs, you could use small squares of coloured paper. Check out "minute to win it" types games on Pinterest. Fun and cheap.
|
|
|
Post by utpea on May 14, 2016 7:16:16 GMT
Make beach candles (Google "How to make candles at the beach"). It's inexpensive & makes a fun souvenir.
|
|
TankTop
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1,871
Posts: 4,767
Location: On the couch...
Jun 28, 2014 1:52:46 GMT
|
Post by TankTop on May 14, 2016 17:15:20 GMT
Geocaching Scavenger hunts Random acts of kindness challenges Volunteer work Card making for seniors or soldiers
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 3, 2024 4:52:27 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on May 14, 2016 19:29:21 GMT
A summer pass to omsi? Is there a bus to get there from where you are?
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
May 3, 2024 4:52:27 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on May 14, 2016 19:40:58 GMT
One thing I did when my kids were that age ( I also had home daycare kids their age plus a couple of toddlers). Was nature bracelets. Wrap a wrist in masking tape, sticky side out. Go to different parks, nature areas, then the kids can collect different things (mini pine cones, flowers, grasses, small rocks...) and stick to their bracelet.
I'd check Pinterest for ideas. I wish I'd had that resource when I had home daycare..
Good luck!
|
|
|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 14, 2016 20:39:14 GMT
I love puzzles. Amanda and I have been doing 1000 piece or more since she was 5. She was 2 and doing 100 piece puzzles. I know these kids can do 1000 piece puzzle with little issues. We can set it up and do it as the bingo numbers fall.
The collage idea is great. I can get a bunch of old magazines to cut up.
I like the idea of the rainbow scratch page.
I also like to take wax paper and crayon shavings and flowers, leaves or what ever we find out on our park adventures. Then you place the flower and or leaves on the wax paper. Take the crayon shavings and place them along the edges of the wax paper as wide as you want the frame to be and then place a second piece of wax paper on top and then take a warm iron and melt the crayons to the wax paper. Then let them cool with a book or something flat and heavy on the edges with the crayons so they stay flat and don't lift or curl. After it is cool hang it in front of the window and the sun will shine through the wax paper and you have a pretty picture.
|
|
quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,696
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
|
Post by quiltz on May 14, 2016 20:47:02 GMT
Seems like you have many plans. Don't make it too much like school for the boy.
Go to a park and play some soccer. Ride bikes to expel some energy.
|
|
|
Post by Basket1lady on May 14, 2016 21:03:28 GMT
One thing that I did with my kids every year was set a theme for the summer. We would see movies about the topic, read books, go on field trips, etc. We did space one summer, the revolutionary war, pioneers, gardening, etc.
We also chose 1 book for another family member to read. For example, DS would choose a book for me, DH, and his sister. It had to be a book that we thought the other person would like (and that we liked, too.) We went from Junie B. Jones to the Magic Tree House to A Little Princess to Percy Jackson and then the Hunger Games.
When my kids were that age, they loved group games that we had played outside as kids. Capture the Flag, Kick the Can, Red Rover, Flashlight Tag, Simon Says, bubbles, jump rope, marbles, hop scotch, etc.
And be sure to include down time in the summer. Time to hunt for interesting rocks, read for far too long, play outside and just be a kid.
|
|
|
Post by katiejane on May 14, 2016 21:07:27 GMT
At those ages they still need free play. And at 7 lots of physical gross motor skills. Boys can still find sitting for a period of time developmental tough at that age. Physical activities like the wood working will help. Maybe using cardboard boxes and other recycling and tape to make their own creations outside in the yard area. Den building or obstacle course making.
|
|
|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 14, 2016 22:35:31 GMT
The reason I am doing the bingo thing and having so many choices is because I want it to be different everyday so they don't get bored. I have education along with games and hobbies. They all three like crafts and playing all kinds of games.
I can't do much walking that is the reason why I am only planning 2 adventure days a week. We are also going to be going out on family adventures with mom and the three kids and Amanda and I one day of the weekends. That was planned before I decided to watch them and I am not going to go back on that.
The theme of our adventures are learn places around the Portland area.
|
|
quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,696
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
|
Post by quiltz on May 14, 2016 22:48:23 GMT
The reason I am doing the bingo thing and having choices is because I want it to be different everyday so they don't get bored. I have education along with games and hobbies. They all three like crafts and playing all kinds of games. I can't do much walking that is the reason why I am only planning 2 adventure days a week. We are also going to be going out on family adventures with mom and the three kids and Amanda and I one day of the weekends. That was planned before I decided to watch them and I am not going to go back on that. The theme of our adventures are learn places around the Portland area. Can you walk to a park & let the kids run around / play soccer / tag / red robin while you watch. Blowling bubbles or going to a splash pad will release much energy. Is Amanda looking for a job this summer?
|
|
|
Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on May 14, 2016 22:53:06 GMT
Amanda has a job. That is why she isn't watching them.
I have to drive to where we go If I am going to enjoy myself when I am there.
|
|