Easy At-Home Kids Activities

		Easy At-Home Activities

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Color Index:

Indoor Activities

Outdoor Activities

Anywhere Activities

Activity Name:	EDUCATIONAL "I SPY or I SEE"
Submitted by:	Samantha, Mom of Travis (8) and Alison (5)
Date:	02/25/10
Materials needed:	Imagination
Age Group:	Kinder +
Duration:	However long you want!
Description:	Like playing I spy.. but instead of "I spy something red".. it's " I spy something with the answer to 3+3 on it". (Could be a billboard with 6 people on it, or could be a license plate with the number 6.) or "I spy something that moves electricity" (could be a power line overhead or could be a light switch).. Anything would work that makes them think outside the box!!!!
What you like about it:	Similar to the traditional "I Spy" game... But in this version the I spy is always part of the answer to a problem :)
Additional Comments:	Inside/ Outside or great driving game.

Activity Name:	GUESS MY EMOTIONS
Submitted by:	Carmen, Mom of Kevin (5) and Anthony (2)
Date:	02/14/2010
Materials needed:	3 x 5 cards with pictures (you can either draw or cut out faces for this) and names of emotions, i.e. angry, happy, frustrated, confused, etc...
Age Group:	2-10
Duration:	10 min.
Description:	Each participant gets gets a card with a picture of the emotion and without the other participants knowing what's on the card, pretends to have that emotion i.e., confused. The other participants guess the emotion.
What you like about it:	Children really like knowing how to show what they feel. Even a young child can mimic what's on the card, and an older child can read the word as well after the emotion has been identified by other players. The game can also have other levels such as saying the emotion in sign language or in other language, such as Spanish or French.
Additional Comments:	My two boys have learned a lot using this game and my two year old actually uses the word "frustrated" when he can't get an activity done right away.

Activity Name:	BIRDS AD BUGS AND CRAWLY THINGS
Submitted by:	Sunshyne, Mom of Two (9,4)
Date:	02/14/10
Materials needed:	Internet, a Camera, and a love of learning.
Age Group:	Any
Duration:	1 hour. Can take all day if you want to!
Description:	We "hide" on the deck and watch and listen for living creatures. We take pictures and try to guess what they are called. Then we upload our adventure to the laptop and search for their real names.
What you like about it:	The kids learn about wildlife without having to leave the confines of our backyard. It can be really cozy when we're hunkered down trying to get the perfect picture.
Additional Comments:	We do this with plants as well, and take our adventures to parks/lakes in the warmer months.

Activity Name: PUDDING ART

Submitted by: Leslie, Mom of Rebecca (1)

Date: 02/08/2010

Materials needed: Vanilla Pudding, Food Coloring

Age Group: 6 months+

Duration: 30 min.

Description: We make the pudding and put food coloring in it to make it look and feel like finger paint!

What you like about it: We have been doing this since about 6 months old. The best part is that you don't have to worry about your little one eating it. It's edible art!!!

Additional Comments: Sometimes we "paint" while sitting in the high chair, or sometimes I even let her go crazy on the kitchen floor! It's super easy to clean up and doesn't seem to stain her clothes. (I always let her do it on the day I have to mop! Haha)

Activity Name:	MY LITTLE "WISH" BOOK...
Subbitted by:	Samantha, Mom of Travis (8) and Alison (5)
Date:	01/14/10
Materials needed:	Construction Paper, Old Magazines, Glue, hole puncher, yarn or ribbon, crayons or markers and Scissors.
Age Group:	Pre-K and Up.
Duration:	As long as it takes to make the books.
Description:	Have the child pick out a theme. (Ex: What I want to be when i grow up, my big Alphabet book, my animal book, or my big car/ truck book.) Let the child pick how many pages they want their book to be and the colors of the construction paper. Allow them to pick and cut out pictures, words or letters that go along with their theme. Then let them have fun while creating their own book. Then have them write a short sentence describing their page.
What you like about it:	The kids can use their imagination to create a book using pictures and letters in a magazine that match their theme.
Additional Comments:	My oldest has his laminated and put up in his room. He did his on Spanish foods and items while learning the language in Kinder; HAVE FUN!!!!

Activity Name:	KITCHEN FUN
Subbitted by:	Amanda, Mom of Austin (10 mo)
Date:	11-30-09
Materials needed:	Pot, wooden spoons, empty cabinet in kitchen
Age Group:	9mo+
Duration:	As long as you're in the kitchen
Description:	This was our first Thanksgiving as a family and with company and cooking I had no idea what to do to entertain Austin. So I decided to set him up with an activity in the kitchen. I emptied a bottom cabinet and put a pot I wasn't cooking with, 3 wooden spoons and a small mixing bowl in the cabinet. I sat Austin down in front of it and viola! Instant entertainment! My Dad even got in on the fun and sat down and played with him!
What you like about it:	Keeps children close so they can be carefully watched. Teaches spacial properties and sounds different materials make. I plan to leave this cabinet like this for him.
Additional Comments:	Make sure the pots, spoons and bowls are age appropraite and don't have any small parts! Safety first!!
Images:	Austin with Grandpa.

Activity Name:	BOWLING DICE - MATH GAME
Subbitted by:	Susan, Mom of Nick and Nate
Date:	11-30-09
Materials needed:	Large Foam of Fuzzy Dice
Age Group:	4-6
Duration:	10 minutes
Description:	Take a set of dice and roll them by themselves against a wall or towards some milk cartons. Once thrown, the player counts the dots on each dice. Ex. 4 dots + 2 dots = 6...each time they add the 2 sets of numbers correctly they get to place a sticker or rubber stamp on their arm.
What you like about it:	Dice Bowling teaches early addition skills.
Additional Comments:	Great reason to purchase fuzzy dice...you know you want to.

Activity Name:	SILLY SENTENCES
Subbitted by:	Thereesa, Mom of Christina and Joshua
Date:	10-26-09
Materials needed:	None
Age Group:	4-99
Duration:	5-30 minutes
Description:	The first person says the first word of the sentence, any word. The next person adds a word. And so on with each person adding another word. It needs to form a sentence, but not serious one!
What you like about it:	It can be kept simple for young ones and more conplex for older ones. The sentences are always silly and make us laugh.

Activity Name:	GOING TO THE STORE
Subbitted by:	Veronica, Mom of Destiny (4) and Gabriela (3)
Date:	10-22-09
Materials needed:	Things around your house, calculator and plastic HEB/Walmartbags.
Age Group:	1-99
Duration:	As long as you want.
Description:	You place the items on a table and allow the children to play mommy and daddy while shopping at the store. I always play the check out clerk and then we take turns. We even make signs for sales and prices.
What you like about it:	It gives them the independence to pretend to buy what they want. I always use items that I usually do not let them touch such as laundry detergent (empty of course) or boxes of macaroni. You can pretty much use any items.

Activity Name:	TREASURE HUNT
Subbitted by:	Paula and Kids (ages 4 and 5)
Date:	10-14-09
Materials needed:	Tupperware, small toys (that you buy at the dollar store), homemade map
Age Group:	1-10
Duration:	15-20 minutes
Description:	1- You put together a "treasure," which is a Tupperware full of small toys. 2- You can either bury it in the back yard or hide it somewhere in the house. 3- Make a treasure map. Make the kids take 15 steps to the right, go around the shed, go under the table, down the slide... You get the picture. If you soak the paper in coffee and let it dry, it will look like a real canvas map!
What you like about it:	My kids have a blast doing this! You can do it indoors and outdoors; during cold weather and warm weather; at home or at the park...
Additional Comments:	It helps them with following directions, working in a team, counting, and opens up the door to their imagination.

Activity Name:	PAINTING THE DOOR
Subbitted by:	Jenny, Mom of Cody (3), Tanner (1)
Date:	10-11-09
Materials needed:	Washable paints, paint brushes.
Age Group:	1 and up
Duration:	As long as you want.
Description:	We take washable paints put them on a paper plate, and paint the outside of the sliding door. Then when your done just take the hose and spray off the door and the kids.
What you like about it:	The kids can go crazy painting as much as they want. The hose cleans up everything.
Additional Comments:	If you have a screen door take it off for this activity!

Activity Name:	"SNOWBALL" FIGHT
Subbitted by:	Norma, Mom of Vesuvius (7)
Date:	10-03-09
Materials needed:	Any Paper.
Age Group:	Any
Duration:	Until we're tired!
Description:	When its raining, like today, we crumble strips of any kind of paper or newspaper and pretend they're snowballs. We throw them at each other and the one with the most hits gets to select their favorite treat after the game is over.
What you like about it:	My 7 year old is very active and this game can wear him out, especially because he's laughing so hard. Its can get physical.
Additional Comments:	The paper isn't hard enough to hurt anyone or anything. It helps kids with dexterity and aim. After the game, we toss the paper in the recycle bin.

Activity Name:	SILLY DRAWINGS
Subbitted by:	Vanessa, Mom of Jasmine (9), Jillian (5), Elissa (3) and Gordo (2)
Date:	10-01-09
Materials needed:	Poster Boards, Washable paints, Colors, Color Pencils & Markers.
Age Group:	Any
Duration:	All Day Long.
Description:	We buy large poster boards and we sometimes tack them on the wall or right on the floor. We ask the kids to draw their family doing silly things. They really put effort into the imagination and come up with some really cool and silly drawings. It so much fun because they have fun.
What you like about it:	They really put some thought into it and get their mind working. And at the end the pictures are so colorful and funny.

Activity Name:	GUESS WHO / WHAT
Subbitted by:	Traci, Mom of Austin (5) and Tristan (1)
Date:	09-26-09
Materials needed:	Just your minds!
Age Group:	4 and up
Duration:	As long as you like.
Description:	The person who is "it" thinks of a person, place, or thing. Everyone else takes turns asking questions and trying to guess what the person is thinking of. The person who guesses correctly gets to be "it" next.
What you like about it:	It's fun, educational, doesn't require any materials, and we can play it anywhere. It's a great game to play when we are at a restaurant waiting for our food or in the car.

Activity Name:	INDOOR SCAVENGER HUNT
Subbitted by:	Marisa, Mom of Emmy and Sebastian
Date:	09-26-09
Materials needed:	Brown bag , stickers, crayons, markers, paper.
Age Group:	Any
Duration:	Depends on how long your list is.
Description:	I let my kids decorate a plain paper bag while i make a list of small items to search for in the house. I make separate lists for my older son than my younger daughter because of their reading levels.
What you like about it:	They like to play this when we have all their cousins over and they can't play outside. It also helps them with their reading skills.
Additional Comments:	I also have each child make a ribbon out of paper, one child for 1st, another child for 2nd and so on, so that everybody gets a ribbon at the end but not always the one they made.

Activity Name:	SHAVING CREAM SILLINESS
Subbitted by:	Vanessa, Mom of Jasmine (9), Jillian (5), Elissa (3), Gordo (2)
Date:	09-22-09
Materials needed:	Shaving Cream Bowl, Finger Paints, A Drop Cloth or old Blankets.
Age Group:	All Ages.
Duration:	As long as you want.
Description:	My husband usually on weekends likes to BBQ. And the kids like it, but you know kids, they get bored after a while. So we put shaving cream in large bowls and drops of paint in the mix. The kids play tag with it. Well it starts off as tag and then they just run around and try to paint on each other. They have so much fun, they love it. They will do that for a while, then sit and start painting on the poster boards we have outside for them with the cream and paints. They really have fun all day running around with the shaving cream and paint.
What you like about it:	They have fun and get really creative with the stuff. It entertains them all day!

Activity Name:	DANCE PARTY
Subbitted by:	Liza, Mom of Angelina (3) and Carmela (9 mo)
Date:	09-15-09
Materials needed:	CDs w/ player or music channels
Age Group:	All ages.
Duration:	As long as you want.
Description:	We start with techno music pretty loud and dance wild around the house. Next we turn on classical music and dance like ballerinas. Sometimes we sing too! We let the 3 yr old pick the style of music.
What you like about it:	This activity gets my entire family moving around, teaches my kids rhythm, different styles of music, and good indoor fun

Activity Name:	PRESSED LEAVES
Subbitted by:	Carolyn
Date:	08-30-2009
Materials needed:	Wax paper, leaves from trees, iron, kitchen towel.
Age Group:	3+
Duration:	30 minutes
Description:	Collect colorful leaves (and different types) lay out a sheet of wax paper-waxy side up. Then kids put leaves on wax paper in any order. Place another wax paper, same size, on top- waxy side down. Carefully move to an iron board, cover with kitchen towel and iron on low-medium. The wax paper should adhere together. Hang up in a window. My kids like to hang up on our sliding glass doors.
What you like about it:	Its fun and easy! And it reminds me of how beautiful Fall can be.
Additional Comments:	USE IRON WITH CAUTION AROUND CHILDREN!! If wax paper doesn't adhere, then try turning up iron a little at a time until it does.

Activity Name:	HOME-MADE QUICK SAND
Subbitted by:	Debbie, Mom of Six (6wks - 12yrs)
Date:	08/27/09
Materials needed:	Box of cornstarch, water, food coloring, plastic tub
Age Group:	Any Age, Parents enjoy this too!
Duration:	Hours of Messy Fun!
Description:	If you do this indoors be sure to do it in the garage or a place where you don't mind a mess. Or put plenty of newspaper down. Take 1/4 of the box of cornstarch (4 oz) and add a half a cup of water to the plastic tub. Mix with your hands. Continue adding the cornstarch and water in small amounts while mixing it around with your hand until it has the consistency of honey. You can easily double or triple this amount for more kids in a bigger tub. Add the food coloring for fun and make it colorful. But use something to stir in the food coloring so you don't stain your hands. Once it's mixed in, it won't stain any hands. Now go ahead and punch the mixture! As hard as you can, it's amazing, it is a solid and a liquid at the same time. Add some small toys and watch them sink, now try to get them out. It's tough. You have made your very own quicksand. Have your children run across the mixture if the tub is long enough and you have enough mixture. Try a wrapping paper container!
What you like about it:	This activity provides hours of fun and is CHEAP!
Additional Comments:	WARNING: Do not pour this mixture down the sink, toilet or any drain, it will ruin your pipes!! Make sure to dump it in a trash bag when you are done and seal it up. We did this for a science experiment one year! FUN!!!

Activity Name:	INDOOR MINI SANDBOX
Subbitted by:	Derri, Mom Four (2, 5, 7, 9)
Date:	08-25-09
Materials needed:	Large Plastic Bin with Lid, Rice, Sand Toys
Age Group:	2-5
Duration:	No set time.
Description:	Use a plastic bin like the kind that fits under a bed. Make sure it has a lid! Pour in a few pounds of long-grain rice. Add some toys like shovels, trucks, cups, ect. and let the kids have fun.
What you like about it:	It's a fun activity that is easy to clean up. Kids love to play in the sand, and this mimics it well. It's also portable; the bin can be moved from one room to another, or outside.
Additional Comments:	Put your own twist on it by changing the size of the bin, adding a container of water for the "beach", or using brown rice instead of white.

Activity Name:	LOCKS AND KEYS
Subbitted by:	Patty
Date:	08-24-2009
Materials needed:	Padlocks, Keys
Age Group:	3-7
Duration:	10-30 minutes, or longer!
Description:	Obtain several padlocks and put them together, locked, along with the keys. Your child will figure out which keys go to which padlocks. If you have some lockable containers, throw those in as well.
What you like about it:	This activity keeps my kids entertained for enough time for my to get chores done: laundry, dinner, basic cleaning. You can find padlocks of all sizes at any hardware store.
Additional Comments:	Helps little ones with their fine motor skills. Great to bring along on a long drive. Just put everything into a small box or large gallon ziplock!

Activity Name:	MEASURE AND POUR
Subbitted by:	Valerie, Mom of Natalie (4) and Danielle (2)
Date:	08/08/09
Materials needed:	A Bucket of some sort, cups, spoons, bowls, etc. Rice, beans, water, etc.
Age Group:	Over 2 years, or above putting things into mouth.
Duration:	As long as the children stay interested.
Description:	Put whatever medium you chose in the bin/bucket and let the children measure and pour to their hearts' content.
What you like about it:	I like the ability to switch it up easily so the kids don't get bored. Also they are learning about quantities and measuring while playing.
Additional Comments:	Have Fun!

Activity Name:	LETTER OF THE DAY/WEEK
Subbitted by:	Claudia, Mom of Luke (3) and Anna (8m)
Date:	08/01/09
Materials needed:	Paper, Scissors, Glue, Pens, Collage Supplies of your Choice (old magazines, construction paper etc.), Ring Binder optional
Age Group:	2, Preschool
Duration:	15-30 minutes
Description:	Pick a letter to focus on, and create 1 page featuring that letter. Draw or glue the letter on the paper and the let your child help you decorate or color it. Then you can help him/her to cut out pictures from a magazine that begin with that letter and glue it on the paper. When your letter page is finished, post in on the fridge or wall for the day and look for the letter in books and billboards etc. for the whole day. When you're ready to move on to the next one you can store it in a ring binder so you can keep looking at it and refresh the memory.
What you like about it:	It's a creative and interactive way to learn letters. It's very hands on and kids can be proud to have a whole self-made letter book in the end.
Additional Comments:	Works with Numbers too!

Activity Name:	IMAGINATION STORY
Subbitted by:	Desiree, Mom of Madison(8) Mackenzie (4) Sophia (19m)
Date:	07/06/09
Materials needed:	Your Mind. Paper and colors if you want to draw your story. You can also act out your story as a play.
Age Group:	Anyone who can talk!
Duration:	As long as your imagination allows.
Description:	The adult starts a story with various characters and a simple plot. Each person has a turn adding their ideas to the story. We usually have the adult also end the story.
What you like about it:	The kids love to pretend they are the main characters of the story. You can see how each child has their own imagination. This also helps the adult use their imagination, sometimes we seem to outgrow our imagination.

Activity Name:	ANIMAL SAFARI
Subbitted by:	Cathy, Mom of Joe (6), Jake(4) and Lauren (2)
Date:	07/06/09
Materials needed:	Variety of stuffed animals, Safari "gear"
Age Group:	2-6
Duration:	We have played for as long as an hour.
Description:	Collect a large assortment of stuffed animals (most of us have more than we know what to do with anyway!). Select a space to play and hide the animals throughout the space. Don't let the kids see where you are hiding them. Our kiddos like to dress up like they are going on safari (hats, camouflage, cameras, binoculars, walkie talkies, etc.). Lead the kids on safari. Sometimes we collect the animals. After we have found all the animals, we often talk about the different kinds, characteristics, etc.
What you like about it:	This is a fun and easy indoor activity, which is great when it is 104 outside! The kids really enjoy it and they learn something at the same time.

Activity Name:	OOBLECK ICK!
Subbitted by:	Mindy, Mom of Lorali (5), Rylan (3), Branson (1) and Adalyn (4M)
Date:	07/02/2009
Materials needed:	Book Bartholomew and the Oobleck by Dr. Suess, 16oz. box of cornstarch, green food coloring, and 2 cups water.
Age Group:	3-7
Description:	This activity can get messy so do it outside of cover a table with newspaper first. To make the Oobleck mix 3 drops food coloring to 3/4 cup of water. Then in a large bowl add cornstarch and remaining water. Mix well and then add the water with the food coloring. Read the story and then let the kids play with the Oobleck. Younger kids love the texture and older kids can try to figure out if it is a solid or liquid. Another fun way for older kids is to give them materials such as cardboard, toothpicks, q-tips etc., and tell them that there is a planet made out of Oobleck and they have to design a space ship that can land on the planet without it sinking. The possibilities are endless!
What you like about it:	This is a great activity to get them thinking about solids and liquids and various textures. It is also a great opportunity for some teachable moments and creative inquiry.
Additional Comments:	Does get messy!

Activity Name:	HOMEMADE KOOL PLAYDOUGH
Subbitted by:	Emily, Mom of Kaeden
Date:	06/27/09
Materials needed:	3 cups Flour, 1/2 cups salt, 2 Koolaide packages, 2 cups Boiling water
Age Group:	All Ages with Adult Help.
Duration:	We have played for as long as an hour.
Description:	Mix dry ingredients together. Add boiling water. Knead on floured board can add flour by sprinkles until desired consistency. This playdough will last for a long time when stored right.
What you like about it:	Who doesn't like playdough!

Activity Name:	PUDDING COLOR MIXING
Subbitted by:	Alyson, Mom of Quin (2)
Date:	06-21-09
Materials needed:	Vanilla Pudding, Food Coloring
Age Group:	2-5
Duration:	As long as your child's attention span will allow:-)
Description :	Read 'Mouse Paint' or another color mixing book with your child. Divide vanilla pudding up into three different bowls (for primary colors) and add food coloring to each bowl (red, yellow, blue). Use a plate, cookie sheet, etc. to combine two colors at a time to 'discover' a new color yellow+blue=green, red+blue=purple, yellow+red=orange, etc.). You can also simply place two tray or several small clear plastic glasses with water and have your child experiment with mixing two colors food coloring.
What you like about it:	It is so much fun to watch your child discover the world of color!!
Additional Comments:	Be sure to put on an old shirt, etc. because the food coloring won't come out...you could also have your child in his/her birthday suit.

Activity Name:	ROCK STAR
Subbitted by:	Jyl, Mom to Kaleb (2) and Kendall (5)
Date:	06-18-09
Materials needed:	A Good Imagination and Some Music.
Age Group:	Really Any Age.
Description :	My kids love to dance! When we play “Rock Star” the kids get dressed up in accordance with the type of music they’re dancing too. It could be big sunglasses and torn up jeans or a cowboy hat and boots. They get out their play guitars and microphones, put on the music and dance and sing like Rock Stars!
What you like about it:	It’s something fun they enjoy doing together and they really get to use their imaginations.
Additional Comments:	Play it with them! You can always sing background!

Activity Name:	ANIMAL PANCAKES
Subbitted by:	Patrick, Dad of 2
Date:	06-16-09
Materials needed:	Pancake Batter
Duration:	Breakfast
Description :	My son and me like to have a pancacke breakfast on Sunday mornings. He stands on a chair at the stove and helps me pour the batter into animal shapes or maybe just a cloud or whatever we think it looks like.
What you like about it:	It's fun for him 'cause he likes to help in the kitchen. And at the end you've got a good breakfast ready to eat!
Additional Comments:	Nice way to start the day.

Activity Name:	ART GALLERY
Subbitted by:	Claudia, Mom of Lukas (3) and Anna (6mo)
Date:	05-31-09
Materials needed:	Whatever type of Art you want to create.
Duration:	Your child's attention span :-)
Description:	My three year old loves to play "Famous Artist". We pick a medium (usually we just paint), and when it's finished we ceremonially add it to our "Art Gallery". We frame the art and display it at a prominent spot in the house. Our most recent one was a painting dedicated to his newborn sister, which is now proudly on display in her new room. We actually get a lot of compliments from visitors who assume it is some abstract art that we bought. So save some house decorating money and make your little artist feel very proud!
What you like about it:	It is a great way to turn a simple art project into something special. It's also a fun activity for rainy days or a gift idea. Besides, we actually really like our custom made art and the unique and personal look it gives our house :-)
Additional Comments:	Write the date on the bak. You'll be glad some day when your little ones are famous :-)
Images:

Activity Name:	STORY TIME
Subbitted by:	Kellie, Mom of Madison (2) and Grayson (1)
Date:	06-10-09
Materials needed:	Favorite Books.
Duration:	Several Stories.
Description:	Right after bath time, we gather in the living room with the Disney Story Time Collection book. They are short versions of the classic books and movies. The kids love the stories and love to sit in Daddy's lap for story time.
What you like about it:	We love it because it calms the kids before bed and we get some quality time with no TV or other distractions.