Looking for new activities that different-aged kids can play together

[ajrsmom]

My kids are 3 and 8. It's getting to be a real challenge for me to find new activities for them to do together.(with me too )

Here are some of the things that we have been doing or are going to do:

We color in books

We use modeling clay

They play with squirt bottles, spray bottles and paint brushes to "paint" outside.

We are going to make bottles of sand art using salt

I'm thinking of doing a paper mache project so they can make their own banks.

We have boards games that my son will give in and play too--Memory and Candyland.

We spend a lot of time reading and going to the library.

They love to ride their bikes and scooters but since the weather has been so hot and humid, nobody feels like hanging out outside.

I need to keep the cost of these ideas to minimum too.

What is everyone doing with their kids this summer?

[ajrsmom]

I'm still looking for other tried and true things to do.

[JoanneTravelMom]

I love crafts, and I think they are a great way to get kids to work together, at least side by side, if not on the same project.

You already mentioned painting and drawing and those are good, but I wonder if you can add some other projects they might be able to work on "together"? Like maybe your younger child could be decoraiting a bag to use as a puppet, while your older child could be using the same supplies to make a picture frame or a more complicated drawing?

Here's a great site with craft ideas for every holiday and lots of other themes: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/

Hope this helps!

[ajrsmom]

Originally Posted by JoanneTravelMom

You already mentioned painting and drawing and those are good, but I wonder if you can add some other projects they might be able to work on "together"? Like maybe your younger child could be decoraiting a bag to use as a puppet, while your older child could be using the same supplies to make a picture frame or a more complicated drawing?


Hope this helps!

That's a really good idea. We are going to try scratch and sniff painting today.

2 TBS flavored Jello
2 tsp. water

Mix in a small container--I have sm. Dixie cups that we are going to use. If you use plastic containers, the mixture can be refrigerated and saved.

Paint a picture (going to try coloring book pics), let dry, scratch n sniff!

I will report back to let you know if this works or not.

Tami

[DeBora4BobbyL]

Tami, the thing that always kept my DS busy was blocks. It doesn't matter whether they are tinker toys, lincoln logs, legos, or whater. You might be able to find some here and there at garage sales. The kids could mix and match the blocks and use their imagination to make whatever they want. You could even have a competition as to who can make the best creative project.

[ajrsmom]

Originally Posted by DeBora43

Tami, the thing that always kept my DS busy was blocks. It doesn't matter whether they are tinker toys, lincoln logs, legos, or whater. You might be able to find some here and there at garage sales. The kids could mix and match the blocks and use their imagination to make whatever they want. You could even have a competition as to who can make the best creative project.

We use these too! They have the wooden blocks that are different shapes. I would draw each one of the a picture and then they would have to building the "building" to my specs. We had a lot of fun, lol!! I think that I was the one who was more challenged because I had to draw the shapes so that they could recogize them. My drawing skills are very minimal! They had a lot of fun laughing at me too!!

[yministry101]

Check with your local craft store many offer family saturdays where the kids can go and make a craft together either free or low cost.

Trip to a park for a nature hunt is always fun

Check into some of the cranium games many of them are good for multi ages

Many theatres such as regal cinemas of a free day once a week during the summer to go and take the kids to a movie

Home Depot and Leowes offer free kids clinics at least once a month where they can both go and build something together.

Hide and seek is also another fun one

Tie Dyeing a shirt or other article of clothing

[ajrsmom]

Check with your local craft store many offer family saturdays where the kids can go and make a craft together either free or low cost. I had forgotten all about crafts stores offering projects like this. There are a couple of stores not too far away from us.

Trip to a park for a nature hunt is always fun

Check into some of the cranium games many of them are good for multi ages

Many theatres such as regal cinemas of a free day once a week during the summer to go and take the kids to a movie I have looked into this one too but it would have to be a planned trip because there isnt a theatre real close to us. This is a good one though that many people do not know of!!

Home Depot and Leowes offer free kids clinics at least once a month where they can both go and build something together. Was planning on doing this one---I think that most stores hold the class on the first Sat. of the month. I totally forgot about it.

Hide and seek is also another fun one

Tie Dyeing a shirt or other article of clothing. I have been thinking about trying this too. Even the reverse Tie dye. FC has a couple of good articles on this subject!


Thanks for all of the tips!

BTW, Welcome to FC. I hope that you are enjoying it here!

Tami

[DeBora4BobbyL]

My drawing skills are very minimal! They had a lot of fun laughing at me too!!

It sounds like we could have a contest to see who can draw the worse. lol

I remember how wonderful blocks were back when my children were younger. They were the only thing that my DS couldn't destroy! lol

[ajrsmom]

Originally Posted by yministry101

Home Depot and Leowes offer free kids clinics at least once a month where they can both go and build something together.

I have read that our Home Depot is making fire trucks for their kids craft on Oct 1!

I always forget about this activity!! I have a big sign on my computer for this one.