If you wander into a Toys R Us or stroll down the aisle of any major store, you might think that kids these days need battery-operated light-up noise machines in order to be entertained. If you watch commercials with your kids *shudder* you will find yourself being told that they need the latest and greatest toys to keep them entertained, occupied and happy. Let’s all say together what we know to be true: They Are Wrong.
Actually, I have found that the things my kids find most engaging tend to be the cheapest and easiest forms of play. Often their favorite toys are things that were never intended to be toys in the first place. Allowing our kids to play and use their imaginations is so valuable, as is teaching them that they don’t need stuff to be happy. So, I thought I’d share with you some of my daughters’ favorite cheap and easy forms of entertainment. (Bonus: Many of these things can be done alongside you as you work in your house. That means you don’t have to wait until naptime or bedtime to go on an all-out cleaning frenzy!)
1. “Washing” dishes in the sink. This is a huge hit with my 4 year old. A couple of inches of water, a squirt of soap, a few dishes and she’s good to go. Yes, her shirt usually ends up soaked, but it’s only water. And, it is a good pre-rinse for dishes while I’m preparing dinner. Washing vegetables is also loads of fun.
2. Cutting up…anything. Obviously, this is only for kids old enough to use scissors, but the older crowd loves to cut once they figure out how. Clipping coupons? Give them the ones you don’t want and let them have at it. My daughter’s current cutting obsession is fabric scraps. She loves to make “dresses” for all of her imaginary friends using my smallest sewing scissors. (Under my supervision, of course!)
3. “Cooking” while you cook. Here is one even the little guys can do. While your cooking, give them a bowl and spoon of their own to use. (Hint: metal spoons and bowls make a better sound than plastic ones.) If you’re feeling brave (and if they won’t eat too many) give them a handful of dried beans or rice to stir in their bowls. Yes, you will need to sweep afterwards, but you will also get to cook with 2 hands.
4. Actually cooking with you. Again, this is not something wee ones can do, but my preschooler has been cooking with me in some form or fashion since she was around 2 1/2. I’ll admit that it takes a little longer and usually makes a bigger mess, but she loves helping stir and dump and measure. I know that when she is grown we will both cherish the memories of cooking together and I can’t wait until my youngest can join in.
5. Wiping off furniture with a rag. Whenever I dust or clean windows or such, the girls love to have their own rags to clean with or, on special occasions, the fuzzy little duster thing we own. Along these same lines, giving kids a little brush and dustpan is also a great idea. They are very cheap and fun, even if no actual gathering of crumbs takes place.
6. Digging in dirt and planting things. Not the cleanest of activities, but kids wash up pretty well. Invest in a little garden spade and rake and watch them go. Both our girls are enjoying helping us with the garden this year. It is a very cool thing to see their eyes when the seed they planted actually grows into a plant! And seeds are cheap : )
There are tons of other fun, easy, and cheap (or free) activities that will entertain your kids for hours. Simple Mom has a post with some great ideas and I’m sure you have some of your own, so please share!
