When Brenna first came home from the hospital, we were in a "survival" period, where we were just trying to keep our heads above water as we learned how to care for her at home. (Unfortunately there are still a lot of "survival" periods in our house with her constant health problems.)
I knew it was important to keep Connor engaged when I couldn't always be there playing alongside him or reading him a book, and I always feel total guilt at plopping him in front of the TV (although some days are much more full of TV shows and the occasional Disney movie than others, and that's OK!)
But I continually strive to find fun activities or projects for Connor to keep him busy and having fun when I have to tend to Brenna or other things around the house. For this week's For Me Friday post, I thought I'd share some of his favorite simple activities (and I just used things around the house to put them together!)
1. Duct tape road. I got the idea from this blog that I follow, and though she said her duct tape didn't leave a residue on the floor, I was skeptical...so I put in on our living room rug that we're planning to replace soon anyway. (And just for the record, it actually didn't leave a residue or mess up the rug!)
I made quite the adventurous track and used a black marker for the road marks, and Connor had a blast for several days driving with his hot wheels cars...
2. Bean scooping and pouring. Probably the simplest project ever, and one that Connor just loves. I just take some different kinds of beans and rice, put them into various containers, give him some scoops/spoons and let him have at it! By the time he's done, they're usually all over the floor, but it's a quick clean-up in exchange for a good half hour of whatever I need to get done.
3. Edible peanut butter play-doh. I got this idea and recipe from one of my favorite blogs, moneysavingmom.com. Connor absolutely LOVES play-doh and this turned out to be a less messy, more edible version of a great activity.
I used the recipe that called for 1 cup flour, 1 cup peanut butter and 1 tablespoon honey - super easy! I also gave him chocolate chips that he used to make "little footprints" in the peanut butter or hide and then dig out.
4. Toothpick and marshmallow creations. A huge hit!
Now this is fun reading! I just wonder if he has a playhouse or cabin or something of that sort, out where the action is but isn't... a retreat to your cabin with a picture book is calming. God bless you all this weekend.
ReplyDeleteHe will all ready for preschool!
ReplyDeleteGood ideas! We have five kids (four boys and a girl spread over 19 1/2 years)and all of them had horrible airborne allergies and asthma, so they had to stay inside a lot during the spring and fall. One of my boys loved tractors, so I filled up shoe and clothes boxes with Rice Krispies and Cheerios so he could "dig" to his heart's content. He is the same one that learned all his letters and sounds at age 2 because we played with magnet letters while he was having his twice-daily breathing treatments. He's 24 now and a police officer, but he still recalls having so much fun with the tractors and the letters. Bless you for being such a wonderful young mom to both of your children.
ReplyDeleteWhen the girls were little and I wanted to get some house cleaning done, I would give them rulers or sewing tape measurers. They would "measure" everything in the room I was working on. And when I was dusting they always had a dust cloth in their hands too. Maybe it was "child labor" but I was a big proponent of them "helping me" with chores - folding clothes, setting the table, dusting, organizing their toys, straightening their books and games on the shelves, etc. And we were always in the same room, working together. Conner might be too little and it is definitely quicker to do those things yourself. It can also be some "time helping mommy" and makes little kids feel useful and needed.
ReplyDeleteRosemary
That must be why I hate dusting now...... Haha
DeleteLove these ideas Courtney! And love the pictures of your adorable little man even more!
Theresa
If your worried about duct tape, use painters tape! Thats what we use. Goes up and down walls, on coffee tables for bridges/ It goes every where!!1
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas Courtney- plan to use them for my 3 y/o when big sister goes to school next week-thanks!
ReplyDeleteJulie Atalla
this is awesome courtney. I have two rambunctious boys that I am always looking for things to occupy their time and attention with. I definitely love the duct tape race track and peanut butter play doh....
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to say thanks for this! I personally have a lot of very complex health issues and a rare disease of my own to deal with. This will be awesome for me to keep the kids occupied when I have to sleep or rest! Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteYou are a superstar!
ReplyDeleteTrying to think of all the things I did with my kids, we had 5, 3 girls and 2 boys, as they were growing up. Off the top of my head I would have to say that building forts with cushions and blankets and chairs was what they did just about everyday. One day they got a hold of some of my yarn and made a spider web maze in their bedroom. It started out small and grew for about three weeks. Needless to say I couldn't get into their room but they could by crawling on their tummys. It was tied to everything! We eventually had to take it down, but what fun they had. Another thing I let them do was play in the kitchen sink. They would stand on a chair and wash all the tupperware I had. Just a little water and lots of bubbles kept them busy. Not to messy of a clean up. I'm sure I could write a book on the many things we did, so if you need more ideas just let me know.
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Great ideas! I use to do sand, bean & rice with playgroups I did. They LOVED it . I used water toys for them to scoop and sift. So simple yet they enjoyed it so much. I'm going to have to try the marshmallow & toothpick with my 2 years old.
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas! I use to do sand, bean & rice with playgroups I did. They LOVED it . I used water toys for them to scoop and sift. So simple yet they enjoyed it so much. I'm going to have to try the marshmallow & toothpick with my 2 years old.
ReplyDelete