Links To Entertaining On A Budget
Keep small kids busy on a cold day
Things to keep your kids busy on a cold day?
1) Go on an indoor camping trip-Just because its 23 degrees outside doesn't mean you cant go camping. Want to know how to have an indoor camping trip? Transform a room in your house into the coolest campground ever! Set up a small tent for your kids to play in. If you don't have a tent on hand, create one using sheets and blankets. Create a simple lean-to type tent by draping the sheet from the back of the couch to the floor so that the couch, sheet and floor make a triangle tunnel which your kids can crawl through. Get flashlights out to play with. Cut stars out of construction paper to hang around the room. Place pillows in a circle on the floor outside the tent for everyone to sit on while they tell stories. Sure you won't have a fire to cook on, but you can still eat like you're camping. Warm up some hot dogs. and don't worry about skipping the s'mores. Something tells me fresh baked chocolate cookies will suffice. Take the time to talk about all the things you love about camping. Even if you can't actually do them on your indoor camping trip, at least you will know what your kids enjoy about camping and you can start planning your next real camping trip, complete with their favorite things. They will love it!
2) Go on a scavenger hunt-Another good indoor activity is a scavenger hunt. Everyone loves scavenger hunts. The excitement of what your hunting builds as you find each clue! The prize at the end doesn't have to be big or expensive. A few new books, a board game, an art project could be very exciting to find (and since they will immediately want to play with their new treasure, you have gone and offered them something else to do that does not require plugging in). Start the scavenger hunt by handing your kids a clue. The first clue should introduce them to the game; let them know there is a treasure at the end, and where to look for the next clue. Each clue should be a riddle. The key is to make your kids use some brainpower during this game. Be mindful to make the clues age appropriate and easy for your children to read. Attach clues to your kids favorite toys; hide them in cabinets, under their beds (if there is room). Make the clues fun by using rhyming words in your riddles, use a person as a clue holder in which your kids have to perform something to receive the clue (i.e. 10 jumping jacks, sing a silly song, etc.).
