Mini Maids

Toddlers love to "clean." It is so sad that this trait usually disapears by the time they are old enough to be productive at it! ;-) It is still good to encourage this clean behavior, but you don't want them handling any chemical cleaners. Luckily they will be just as satisfied with a clean spray bottle (new and not previously used for chemical cleaners) filled with water and a rag. Set them up in front of some low level windows and let them go crazy. A word to wise, though. I discovered that my 3 year old son could spray out all of the water of an entire bottle in about 2 minutes flat - drenching anything in his path, even electronic equipment, much to my dismay!

Kitchen Helper

Since the children are usually hanging out in the kitchen while dinner in being prepared, why not put them to work. Even young children can be taught to set the table. An easy way to do this is by creating table setting placemats. Trace plates, glasses, and silverware onto a placemat-sized piece of paper in their proper locations. This can be a fun craft project to do with the children. Let them color and decorate them with stickers. When your masterpieces are complete laminate or cover them with contact paper. Now, even toddlers can set the table by matching the silverware and dishes to their shapes. Please hold back the knives and do these yourself.

Cook's Assistant

Do you have a little helper every time you make dinner. Let them join in by making them the "Official Cook's Assistant." Give them an apron just for fun and let them practice pouring. Water, uncooked rice or dried beans are great for pouring from one measuring cup to another.

Artists in the Tub

Tired of your pint-sized Picasos making messes? Let them do their art and get clean at the same time with Bathtub Paints!
Here is a recipe from Preschool Education that you can make easily yourself:

Bubble Bath Finger Paints

Need:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt,
food coloring,
bubble bath (not the foamy type),
water

Directions: Mix water with the flour until you get a paste. Add food coloring and bubble bath until you get the thickness you like. This works well in the bath tub. They can paint themselves or the walls and it washes right off. It may turn the water the color of the food coloring but it won't stain the child.

Indoor Sand Box

Rainy day? Kids sad they can't go outside to play? Create an indoor sand box!

In a jelly roll pan place 5 cups of:
crushed graham crackers
rice krispies
uncooked oatmeal
cornmeal

Then let the fun begin! Be sure an take advantage of this perfect opportunity to show your little ones how to make their letters and numbers. First you trace a letter in the crumbs and then shake the pan and let them try. Learning and fun all wrapped up in one!

Finger Paint

Finger painting is a blast! Kids love it and it is even fun for us adults to join in the mess. There is something very gratifying about the sensation of squishy paints between your fingers.

Get creative! Instead of using store-bought paints,
try using:
pudding (chocolate is my fave!),
jello,
whipped cream (make several colors using food coloring),
yogurt
or cooked cereal.

If you are feeling ambitious, make your own paints. Here is a recipe from Creative Kids at Home:

Home-Made Finger Paints
Ingredients:
1/2 cup cornstarch
3 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups cold water
food coloring

Directions:
In a medium pan, mix all the
ingredients together to make the finger paint. Cook over low heat 10 to 15
minutes. Keep stirring the finger paint mixture until it is smooth and thick.
After the finger paint has thickened take the pan off the stove and let the
mixture cool.
After cooling, divide the finger paint into storage containers
depending on how many colors you would like. Add a few drops of food coloring to
each container. Stir the coloring in to the paint to determine the shade of
color. You're ready to finger paint! Cover tightly when storing.

Child's Play

I was cleaning out my craft room this morning and I discovered a notepad full of fun children's activity ideas I had collected over time. These were jotted down as I heard about or read about them various places so I could refer back to them for ideas for my own children. This began when I had one toddler under foot. Now, as a home schooling mother of four ranging in age from 11 down to 1, I realize that I have accumulated quite a few ideas and have opinions as to what works and what doesn't. I thought it would be fun to share some of these ideas here. Hopefully, there are those that will find this interesting and helpful!