This week, we were feeling a little under the weather at the Millz hizzy. Thankfully, there was nothing of the voms variety {knock on wood to the ten quadrillionth power} but more of the sniveling, slight fever, yucky-enough-to-stay-home-and-miss-our-valentine’s-partay-while-we-laze-on-the-couch, variety.
Since I desperately needed to get a little work done, I pulled out the big guns. Which really, in retrospect, weren’t that big at all. They just felt that way since the kids are endlessly mesmerized by them. It had me thinking about the three consistently engaging and limitless activities around our home that we either keep coming back to, or are a great resource and learning tool for our children. SUPER simple, tried and true ideas that were initially given to us as gifts, and we just love to use with our little ones.
Some days, I’m one scream away from pulling out every single last one of my eyelashes. {After I dangle the offspring from their toes, of course.} So I thought I’d share three of these gift ideas, for beating down the winter doldrums.
1. Create an art bin. For Christmas, I asked my super creative mother in law for some art supplies. We were running low. The markers were dried out. And the clump-ability factor of the play doh population was a true tragedy. She always puts a lot of thought into her gifts, so when we received these seemingly simple art supplies for the kids, I knew they were thoughtful. I just wasn’t aware of how throughtful. These little plastic bins are jam packed with personalized, age appropriate art supplies for each child. From activity books and finger paints, to Play doh and water colors…opened at least once a day. I think the kids love having their own little personal containers. Rainy day? No problem. I simply remind them of their stash. I usually have to pry them away from the table to clean up before dinner. And we just keep adding to it…And who doesn’t love it when their kids are thinking critically through a worksheet or creating a beautiful work of art?
2. Simple design as teaching tools. When the super sweet Courtney of Lil Light O Mine generously sent us these awesome goodies, I was completely in awe of these adorable products. If there’s one thing we’re trying to teach our kids, it’s both of these valuable life lessons. We love the idea of working scripture into their every day lives with these adorable flash cards also cleverly designed in the form of the alphabet. We’re covering a different letter, learning them one at a time as a family, each week. The money jars are the simplest of concepts…the idea of saving up, and planning ahead: something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. We love these brilliant little products with a big impact, and think they make one of a kind, awesome gifts.
3. Lighten up. This may seem silly, but it’s truly the little things with us. We keep a huge {hidden} stash at our house. It may as well be likened to crack, and it’s composed of a never ending supply of glow bracelets and flashlights {per the tarjay dollar bin + dollar store.} But their worth is equivalent to gold at our house. They’re used for scavenger hunts, story time, camping sessions, bunk bed parties, bath time…the possibilities are oh so joyfully endless. When our friends come over, and the weather is warm, we sit on the porch and simply toss about fifty into the air and make the kids hunt them down in the dark. The adults can actually have a conversation…Need I say more?
So there we have it…three of our family’s favorite things when it pertains to my children, and the sweet little gift ideas that keep them occupied for hours!
So now it’s your turn. What are some of your tried and true methods you’ve used to entertain or teach your children around the home? Please do share some of your faves!
Anna @ agoodhome says
I LOVE those scripture memory cards! I’m definitely going to have to get a set.
I’d never thought to throw some glow sticks into the bath before. Genius! My girl and boy will go NUTS. Bath time is already their favorite thing in the world, this will just push it over the top. (Every time my son, who’s one and a half, goes into a bathroom, he starts trying to take his clothes off because he thinks there’s a chance he might be getting a bath!). Thanks, as always, for the great ideas!
Pamelotta says
I stumbled on this one totally by accident when I left some magazines out on the counter on a rainy Saturday. My kids got their scissors and started cutting away. Now, on occasion, I give them old magazines, kid scissors, glue and cardstock and they go to town making collages. It’s fun to see their personalities come out in their artwork!
Tennille says
Not much is working for us these days so these ideas couldn’t come at a better time! Apparently I need to organize my craft supplies and get each of my kids their own bin and then maybe they’ll spend more than 7 minutes at the table making crafts and painting. Any advice on how to get them to stay at the table and engage longer? My kids will do anything as long as I do it with them but the point of my kids being able to entertain themselves is so that I can get something else done right?! They don’t play with their toys much either. Any suggestions on how to get them to actually play in their playroom? i should send you a picture as I’m convinced it’s the layout and the fact that it’s cold and dark down there. Two things that do work for us are bubbles and painting rocks. I stock up on bubble wands of all types in the summer and keep them everywhere as quick gifts for bday parties, a solution to the lull in the day as well as when friends pop by with their kids and nobody wants to get along. When we go camping we send our kids into the woods to find the biggest rocks they can lift. They paint them and then we return them to the woods for future campers to enjoy. Thanks for the great ideas. Enjoy your weekend.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Tennille! I just wrote an entire response, and our internet blinked out. we’ve been having serious issues with that-anyway, I would have to ask, first, how old are your kids? because mine used to be like that, and I still have to monitor, simply because they constantly want to show me what they did, but I can sit at the table and work on my laptop while they go to town. ;} I think the own individual containers thing helps. Filled to the brim with versatile materials that you can switch out. stamps, sketchbooks, paint, play-doh, maze books with dry erase markers, etc. etc.
As far as their toys go, you may have tried this, but it worked for us: we switch out their toys. We put some in the attic, and then rotate them. It’s like christmas around here! I hope that helps!
I love the rock idea! That’s super cool. If we had rocks here, I would totally do that. We barely have trees. ;}
courtney defeo says
ashley! what a fun day to get onto your site. you are so sweet. you guys have been so sweet, so helpful, so encouraging as i have started this adventure. and including me on the week of giving was amazing! it was more than my pleasure to treat your sweet family and i’m thrilled to know they are working for your fam. xoxo. your site rules.
Lindsey Whitney says
I love those Scripture memory cards too — did you make them? Do you have a list of verses?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Lindsey! Check the links in no. 2 above for a place to purchase! ;}
amanda says
I’ve been living in China for about 5 months – without Blogs or facebook or hulu (I won’t bore you with all the other blocked websites in China) WHEN I was finally able to hijack some hardware and get on all these websites. I was SOOOO stinkin excited to get on the handmade home. Even my husband asked me if I was caught on “my favorite blog”??? It took me about 3 different evenings to go back and read all your posts since Sep. Your Disney posts were fun, sorry about the car wreck, and how AWESOME about your show w/ Nate (yep, I watched the clip;) So i’m not some weird stalker I just love your blog and your decorating style! This is great post and I loved the glow stick idea – i’m going home to visit America in April and I was trying to come up with some ideas to do with my younger siblings! Your the best – so happy I can read your blog now.
ashley @ the handmade home says
AMANDA! SO good to hear from you again! I take it everything is going well? You guys are in my prayers-and you just made my week. I would never think you were a stalker! Why else do I write these posts? ;} Bless you and your illegal hardware. I don’t know how I would survive without it! Be careful, and stay in touch! ;}
Heather says
LOVE the art bins. Genius. I wanted to offer you a word of caution on that particular brand of glow sticks. I bought some for the children to wear on our church parade float in December, and we had several sticks randomly snap. A few kids ended up getting squirted in the eyes with the glow goo, and it wasn’t pretty!! Be careful!
Kelsey says
What awesome ideas!!! I am in a major rut with my kiddos lately. They never sit still long enough to do a fun art project. I think your art bins is a great idea and I’m totally stocking up on glowsticks for bathtime next time I’m at dollar tree!!! Thanks again for the great tips! š