9 Responses

1. stepharo

   November 22nd, 2009 at 4:55 am

   1

   My mom does this really fun activity with play-doh. You could even make your own to make more of an activity of it. Anyway, everyone has the same amount of play-doh and each a different color. Everyone divides their ball of play-doh in half and puts half in the center of the table. Then, using the other half, they sculpt something based on a theme (something you’d see in a garden, something you’d see downtown, etc.). Set a time limit (2 minutes is about right) and then when the time is up, without talking, everyone moves left one space. They now have someone elses sculpture in front of them. They try to figure out what it could be and then using the play-doh in the middle, add on to it. Do this again and again until each person is back in their original spots. Then, have each person talk about what they started to sculpt and what they now have. It’s really a lot of fun and a good activity for all ages.

2. Cat Loves Her Sabres

   November 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 am

   2

   Read to them and have them draw or make up stories as a group about the books you’re reading. Do little science experiments like building a baking soda and vinegar volcano. Coloring pages are goof for filler, just make sure you get cheapo crayons because kids destroy them at an alarming rate. Marble paintings are really fun and easy; you get a shallow box, paper, some acrylic paint, and marbles and you coat the marbles in paint, then put them in the box on the paper and tilt it all over to make designs. Pipe-cleaner animals are fun and easy; let the kids do whatever they want with the pipe cleaners and they’ll have a grand time. We used to play a game at Girl Scout camp where we were in two teams and each team had a set of oversized clothes (pants, shirt, jacket, gloves, hat) and they had to race down one at a time, “get dressed,” then race back and hand the clothes off to the next person. Teaching the kids songs and hand games takes up a lot of time, too. Look for online resources for early childhood teachers and you’ll find tons more activities; these are just a few that I remember or I’ve used in the classroom myself.

3. Jessie

   November 22nd, 2009 at 3:28 pm

   3

   Wow, there are so many ideas, but i cant name them off the top of my head!
   Umm,
   Popsicle houses
   Bracelets made out of beads
   You can tye dye t-shirts. Thats a lot of fun!
   Have a contest to see what team can make the best poster
   I’m sure if you google it, you can find more ideas
   For the little ones, you can do finger painting on a cloth that can later be a place mat.
   Hope i helped you!

4. emmasnw

   November 22nd, 2009 at 7:17 pm

   4

   There are a bunch of Craft Ideas and directions here:
   Craft Kits – http://www.craft-kits.net/craft-projects…
   Other ideas are to make pet treats
   Dog Treat Recipes – http://www.dog-pound.net/other-dog-treat…
   Or if you are into organic these are directions for organic recipes that could be a great craft.
   Organic Recipes – http://www.organic-items.com/organic-dir…
   Have fun!
   HTH

5. Mila Edgeworth

   November 22nd, 2009 at 11:13 pm

   5

   Beady-Buddies are always fun and really inexpensive…all you need are a lot of beads and string. http://www.beadiebuddysbonanza.com/FREEB…
   You can often buy kits at craft stores too. it’s really easy and fun!

6. woah_its

   November 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 am

   6

   Do a starburst wrapper braclet if they’re closer to 12 it’s super cool

7. collie

   November 23rd, 2009 at 5:39 am

   7

   My grand-children love making cards, stamping and sticking.
   also a bit of scrapbooking, keeps them busy for ages.

8. dre

   November 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 am

   8

   they have great ideas at crayola.com and michaels.com/theknack
   its where i get ideas

9. VicRae

   November 23rd, 2009 at 7:06 am

   9

   http://www.pburch.net/dyeing/FAQ/drinkmi…http://basketmakers.com/topics/beginners…http://www.momsminivan.com/article-cooti…
   Scout projects:http://www.ucpcug.org/ScoutingWeb/Progra…
   Color pages:http://www.coloringbookfun.com/dora/imag…http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:gAzv…http://www.boondoggleman.com/the_project…http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/braiding/str…http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/inde…http://www.freekidscrafts.com/http://makingfriends.com/
   You could make your own playdough; Make their own beanbags, learn how to jump rope and recite poems for jump roping, Playing tag, make cards for father’s day or mother’s day, birthdays.
   How to plan a party and then carry out having a party.
   Making a pinta, paper mache things.
   Make bubble solutions and have a contest to see who can blow the biggest bubble.
   This is just few things you could do. Hope I’ved helped you out.