VN Boards Archive

[VN Boards Archive]

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Topic: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions

Gaevren Title: Wat do? Posts: 18,183 Registered: Sep 15, '04 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 17,906 User ID: 967,012	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	I need some activities/crafts/games that my three year old can do supervised (i.e. me in the same room) but which she can do on her own. Also they need to be things that can be done at the kitchen table or elsewhere in the house. As little mess as possible is preferred. We have play-doh already, so that's one thing, and it keeps her busy for a while. She doesn't like to color much. I am just in desperate need of suggestions, it just seems like my brain can't come up with anything and I need something to keep her occupied while I get things done! We go and play at the park every day so she has a chance to run around and get in some good playing, and we do other things together in the house (reading, etc.) but I also have to get housework done and my college homework. And when I try to do anything, she is either clinging to me or otherwise interrupting me ("mommymommymommymommymommymommy") or she goes off to do her own thing which usually involves getting into stuff in the other rooms and making a huge mess or otherwise destroying things. That of course only puts me even farther behind. Halp! -----signature----- There are no automatic doors, just very polite ninjas
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-Poptart- Title: CAUTION: May be hot! Posts: 38,658 Registered: Feb 22, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 36,869 User ID: 69,820	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	What about having her making home made instruments out of paper plates and dry beans or paper towel rolls and construction paper (works as a drum w/o having a drum) as long as you don't mind the noise. -----signature----- http://www.chaosrpg.com/recruit.php?uniqid=zs1258764072
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Ah-Schoo Title: Fuzzy Caterpillar of Friendliness Posts: 71,317 Registered: Aug 11, '00 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 68,974 User ID: 39,247	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	We got a preschool game for the computer that kiddo loves. It's entertaining and educational. He can wander around and do games or redecorate the area with prizes from finishing the learning games. Jumpstart Preschool World it's called. Puzzles, blocks, Tinkertoys, HotWheels. Kiddo also likes to play with MS paint. He's also figured out how to navigate to the games on Tvokids.com. (The homepage on his computer. He's only ever on the computer when I'm sitting beside him on mine though.) -----signature----- . Opinion = fact. Anecdote = proof. Political label more important than either of those. Welcome to ACF, where debate goes to die. . "fascist totalitarian secular progressive Zionist intellectually challenged Christian puppets." - Aerlinthina
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Silverwuf Title: Have trike will babble Posts: 32,958 Registered: Jul 5, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 32,296 User ID: 225,902	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	We found something that Aime (age 3) absolutely loves to do and it keeps her busy from 30-60 minutes at a time. At Wal-Mart in the crafts section, I found these containers of thin foamlike shapes that have peel off and stick backings. They are only about 5 bucks apiece for a fairly large container and they come in different shapes and colors. Aime has sea life shapes, flowers, letters and assorted shapes. I then bought her a large container of various colors of construction paper and then let her go to town. I did spend a little time with her (maybe 15 minutes) showing her how she could layer the shapes and use different shapes for different effects so everything would have a nice 3 dimensional effect that she likes. The containers are clear with a corded handle and are roughly the size of large oriental takeout containers. They also have a container of large plastic beads and cord that, if you trust your child not to swallow them when unsupervised, are great fun for them as well. Aime never has been very interested in putting stuff in her mouth so we don't worry as much. I looked for them online at walmart.com but was unable to locate them. You'll find them in the same aisle with kids scissors, paints, markers, crafts, etc. In our store, it's near the crafts. Here's something else I found in my searches that may help. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8589336 Edit: Aime also loves to do Starfall at www.starfall.com Silver -----signature----- Women who behave themselves rarely make history. My Give-A-Damn's Busted. http://www.thewufs.com/2003venture/motortrike.htm
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Ah-Schoo Title: Fuzzy Caterpillar of Friendliness Posts: 71,317 Registered: Aug 11, '00 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 68,974 User ID: 39,247	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	Silverwuf posted: Aime also loves to do Starfall at www.starfall.com Silver Oh, neat. My kid likes doing the craft stuff too but it's still fairly interactive. The dollar store has been great for supplies though. Him and Mommy made finger puppets the other day. -----signature----- . Opinion = fact. Anecdote = proof. Political label more important than either of those. Welcome to ACF, where debate goes to die. . "fascist totalitarian secular progressive Zionist intellectually challenged Christian puppets." - Aerlinthina
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-Accident- Title: Waiting to happen Posts: 16,541 Registered: Aug 24, '00 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 16,161 User ID: 41,169	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	my kids love blocks, puzzles, pretend cooking, coloring, painting, play-doh, dolls, that sort of thing. they also have this magnetic paper doll set where they can dress the models and it's all done with magnets so the bits don't all fall off. -----signature----- I realize now I do not fear death. I fear my daughter will not be free when I die. - NR, #iranelection
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Varece Posts: 46,015 Registered: Jan 7, '02 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 44,985 User ID: 598,676	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	http://www.crayola.com/ Lots of fun ideas there. Nic also loves the coloring books with activities in them. She's 3 and does real good with them. Try the library! I have a bunch of books on crafts for different age kids. -----signature----- I am no longer young enough to know everything Knowledge is Free America's Libraries "You embrace that which defines you" "If you tell the truth, you don't need a good memory" We're not perfect...we're parents
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Gaevren Title: Wat do? Posts: 18,183 Registered: Sep 15, '04 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 17,906 User ID: 967,012	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	Thanks guys, there is some good stuff there I think I'm going to add an hour of "table time" to our daily schedule...an activity she can do by herself but under my eye while I'm accomplishing other things. And I think I'm going to put in a weekly rotation so she doesn't get bored of any one thing. So...play-doh once a week. Magnets once a week (I totally forgot I have a bunch of those traveling magnetic boards, I need to find them). I haven't yet let her have any computer time but that would probably be a really good idea as well. I'm just drooling and imagining all the cool things I'll get done in an hour's time haha. -----signature----- There are no automatic doors, just very polite ninjas
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Darshawn Title: Proudly, Mrs. Arch Magi Posts: 27,975 Registered: Jun 4, '02 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 27,297 User ID: 685,655	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	About once a month, I'd let my children "finger paint" on their table with shaving cream. I know it sounds weird but it cleans like you would not believe, even removing magic marker from tables. After they "painted" on the table a while, take a wet rag and just wipe the table down. You'll be surprised how clean and shiny it is. A kindergarten teacher passed on that trick to me. -----signature----- "That's pretty amazing, winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Ironically, his biggest accomplishment as president so far ... winning the Nobel Peace Prize." ~~ Jay Leno ACF......like playing Twister with amputees.
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Ah-Schoo Title: Fuzzy Caterpillar of Friendliness Posts: 71,317 Registered: Aug 11, '00 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 68,974 User ID: 39,247	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	Home-made play dough >> brand name stuff. If you want a recipe I can get my wife to post it. -----signature----- . Opinion = fact. Anecdote = proof. Political label more important than either of those. Welcome to ACF, where debate goes to die. . "fascist totalitarian secular progressive Zionist intellectually challenged Christian puppets." - Aerlinthina
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Silverwuf Title: Have trike will babble Posts: 32,958 Registered: Jul 5, '01 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 32,296 User ID: 225,902	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	FINGER PAINT 3 tablespoons sugar 1/2 cup cornstarch 2 cups cold water Food coloring (variety of colors) Liquid dishsoap Med. sized saucepan Muffin tin or 4 to 5 sm. cups Mix sugar and cornstarch in saucepan over low heat. Add water, continue stirring until mixture is thick. Remove from heat. Spoon into sections of muffin tin or cups. Add a drop or two of food coloring (a different color for each cup) and a drop of dishsoap to each portion. Stir and let cool. May be stored, covered, in an airtight container. HARDENING SALT CLAY 2 cups salt 1 cup + 2 tbsp. water 1 cup cornstarch Mix salt and 1/2 cup water in heavy saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until salt dissolves. Remove from heat. Combine cornstarch and remaining water and add it to the salt water. Cook over low heat until mix is thick and smooth. This happens quickly. Spoon the clay onto table or board to cool. Store air tight. It will harden in the sun and can be painted. HOMEMADE MODELING CLAY 1 cup flour 1 cup salt 1 tablespoon powdered alum (opt.) Water Mix just enough water to make it smooth and workable. If clay gets dry, mix in a little more water. Store tightly covered. HOMEMADE PLAYDOUGH 2 cups flour 1 cup salt 1/4 cup salad oil 3/4 - 1 c. water Few drops of food coloring of your choice Mix flour, salt and oil. Then add food coloring to the water. Finally add water to flour, salt and oil. Knead until it no longer sticks to your hands. Baggies may be used to store playdough in so it doesn't have to be divided every time it is used. Seal with plastic tie strings or coffee cans. If dough gets too hard or dries out, add more water. If dough gets too oily, add flour. EDIBLE PLAY DOUGH 1 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar 1 1/4 cups powdered milk 1 cup corn syrup 1 cup peanut butter Mix until dough reaches proper consistency for molding. Let children mold all kinds of creatures and decorate with Cheerios and raisins. Can eat when they are finished. PAINT WITH BUTTER Melted butter or margarine Food coloring Bread Paint brush Mix desired color of food coloring with melted butter or margarine. Give child an unused paint brush and a slice of bread. Have them paint the bread, using several different colors, if desired. Then put bread in toaster until brown. A masterpiece to eat! PAINTBRUSH COOKIES 3/4 cup butter 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 1/2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt Mix shortening, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder and salt. Stir together and chill 1 hour. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Roll out 1/8 inch thick. Cut in desired shapes. Place on ungreased baking sheets. Paint with egg yolk paint. Bake 6 to 8 minutes. EGG YOLK PAINT: egg yolk 1/4 tsp. water . Divide mixture and add food coloring. Paint designs on cookies with paint brush. If paint thickens, add few drops of water. PAPER PASTE 1 cup flour 1 cup sugar 4 cups water 1 tablespoon powdered alum 3 drops oil of clove Mix flour and sugar, then add slowly 1 cup of the water. In the top of a double boiler, bring remainder of water and the alum to a boil, then add flour and sugar mixture, stirring constantly. Cook and stir until fairly clear (about 1/2 hour). Remove from heat and add oil of cloves. Makes 1 quart of paste. Paste will keep a long time in air tight jar with small wet sponge on top of paste. SALT & FLOUR CLAY - DOUGH 2 cups flour 1 cup salt 1 cup water Mix flour and salt together. Slowly add water and stir until it forms a soft dough, all of the water may not be needed. If too gooey, more flour may be added. Roll out on a flat surface to make bread dough cookie ornaments. May be painted with food coloring while still moist. Can be air dried (about 2 days) or baked 1-2 hours at 200-250 degrees. Baked ornaments are less fragile than those which have been air-dried. SAND SCULPTURE CLAY 2 cups sand 1 cup water 1 cup cornstarch Mix in pot over low heat until thickened. Let cool and mold into shapes. Decorate with shells. Dry. Can be painted. PASTE 1 cup boiling water 2 cups flour 1 tablespoon powdered alum 2 cups cold water 1 heaping tsp. oil of cloves Oil of wintergreen (optional) Add alum to 1 cup boiling water. In separate bowl mix flour and cold water until smooth. Pour flour mixture into boiling water and cook until it has a bluish cast, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in oil of cloves. SIDEWALK CHALK 1/4 cup plaster of paris 2 tablespoons water Liquid Tempera paints (enough to color bri Mix all ingredients, pour into small 3 1/2 ounce Dixie cup. When mixture hardens (about 30 minutes), peel off paper cup. Makes 1 large chunk of chalk; washes off sidewalk with water. Makes 1 cup chalk. -----signature----- Women who behave themselves rarely make history. My Give-A-Damn's Busted. http://www.thewufs.com/2003venture/motortrike.htm
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Ah-Schoo Title: Fuzzy Caterpillar of Friendliness Posts: 71,317 Registered: Aug 11, '00 Extended Info (if available) Real Post Cnt: 68,974 User ID: 39,247	Subject: Toddler activities/games? Need suggestions
	Yup, it's in there. -----signature----- . Opinion = fact. Anecdote = proof. Political label more important than either of those. Welcome to ACF, where debate goes to die. . "fascist totalitarian secular progressive Zionist intellectually challenged Christian puppets." - Aerlinthina
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