When bad/cold/rainy weather sets in our normally happy, content children can turn into cranky, whiny children. Tempers are short, children are bored and the fighting starts. Avoid that by planning ahead for bad weather days. You can assemble one or more imagination stations to pull out for your children. Most of the supplies can be purchased inexpensively at a discount or dollar store. You may already have many of the things desired. Choose the ideas below that would work best for your child. Collect the supplies and store in plastic or cardboard boxes until needed.
All of these ideas are media-free!
Art kit. For the budding artist, have on hand a supply of paper in all sizes, colors, and textures. Supply markers, colored pencils, crayons, finger paint, tempera paints and water colors. Include scissors, glue, material and felt scraps, yarn, ribbon, buttons, sequins, and chenille sticks. Add playdough or modeling clay, tools, and any other items that might be of interest to your young artist.
Carpenter kit. For young carpenters, include blocks of wood and sand paper to sand them. For older children, include a small-sized saw and hammer, nails, and pieces of wood. You may want to purchase a simple woodworking kit that allows your carpenter to create something for himself. Supervise as needed.
Collectibles kit. What does your young collector like? Pennies, rock, shells? Supply an assortment of rocks, coins, shells or whatever your child most enjoys. Provide illustrated books that will help your child identify his collection. Included trays, boxes, books, or some way for your child to display the finished collection.
Cooking kit. For young children keep on hand a box of small-sized or unused cooking utensils. Provide measuring cups, wooden spoons, cookie cutters, plates, bowls, and pans. Supply dry cereal or playdough to use for food. Spread a blanket or sheet on the floor and let your child have a picnic with her stuffed animals. Allow older children to prepare a simple food such as pudding or jello for the family.
Design kit. For your future architect or fashion designer, fill a box with the tools of the trade -- art pencils and erasers, colored pencils, markers, rulers, protractor, T-square, triangle, compass, graph paper, tracing paper, tag board and white paper. Include simple how-to books or magazines for ideas. Encourage your young designer to build her creation out of card board boxes or to try her fashion designs by making paper clothes for a paper doll.
Doctor kit. A toy stethoscope, syringe, bandages, and a pile of “sick” stuffed animals will delight your would-be doctor or nurse. Include tongue depressors, cotton balls, toy thermometer, and doctor bag. Don’t forget to include a tablet of paper and pencil for writing notes and prescriptions. Add a white shirt or jacket for a uniform.
Grocery Store Kit. Save cereal, pudding and other boxes and food cans for this kit. Add a calculator, coupons, and play money. Provide paper and pencil or pen so your child can write her own grocery list. Older children can be kept busy cutting coupons out of the paper for you to use on your next shopping trip. Have them figure how much you save by using coupons.
Office kit. A young child is fascinated by office supplies. Let him set up his own office by supplies a stapler, ruler, paper clips, paper, stamp pad and stamps, note pads, envelopes, stickers (stamps) and file folders. Include appropriate dress up clothes and a toy phone. If you have an old typewriter, even a poorly working one, your child will be delighted to get to use it. Supervise a child who may put small items in his mouth.
Repair kit. This kit can be as simple or elaborate as your child needs. For the young child, fill it with toy tools, a workman’s apron, measuring tape and other supplies. For the older child, include real tools and simple items to take apart and put back together such as a clock or small appliance. Review safety rules before your repairman begins his job.
School kit. Supply pencils, crayons, markers, paper, stickers, note pads, stamp pads and stamps, small chalk board and chalk, and a bell. Then watch your young teacher teach her siblings or dolls. For older children, include workbooks, reading books and activities for their grade levels. Word search, maze, dot to dot and crossword books may be a hit.
Science kit. Include a magnet and items to test. Add items to test for buoyancy. Include a book of simple science experiments and the supplies needed to perform them. Go over safety rules with your young scientist before she begins her work.
Writing kit. This kit can consist of stationary, post cards, envelopes, and stamps for your child to write letters to friends and relatives or it can include a notebook and pens for your freelance writer. Include color pencils or markers for your child to illustrate her stories. Young children can be encouraged to draw pictures for relatives or to write the letters and words they know.
Lots of game time this week.
Playing Scene it
Playing Scene it
