How to entertain kids with NO TOYS

I have 12 nieces and nephews and I never know when they are going to pop in. I don't have children (yet) and I never have any toys to play with it. Yet, over the years I have become incredibly creative with finding ways for them to keep busy in my home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Any ordinary stuff around your house.
• A yard would be nice.

1. FLASHLIGHT: This is the holy grail of all non-toys that you can provide for children. If it is dark outside, they will go tramping out and entertain themselves for hours. The more flashlights you have on hand, the better. If you have an attic, they will tell each other ghost stories and scare themselves into giggles. Outdoors, they will have "laser sword" fights and play hide n seek.

2. BLANKETS & PILLOWS: This goes very nicely with the flashlights. Children love to make forts of any kind. Give them a kitchen table or some chairs to make the fort along with the flashlight and you may not see them for a few hours. I would check to be sure they are not playing "doctor" or some other inappropriate game that kids come up with.

3. PAPER: Quite honestly, every time I provide paper and pens I am lucky if this keeps busy for even a half hour. However, I have learned to challenge them with other tasks such as origami or even better: paper airplane contests. Tell them you will give a prize to whoever can make the best airplane that goes the farthest.

4. WATER: If it's not cold outside, children will entertain themselves for HOURS with water. Whether it's running through the sprinklers, having squirt gun fights or even water balloon fights. They do need to be closer monitored though in case of injury.

5. MAKEUP: All women have some makeup that are not using. Let them have fun in the bathroom (and be willing to clean up the mess later). Tell them to have a beauty contest and that you will give a prize to whoever has the best makeup. This can also provide the adults with a good dose of stifled laughs. If they can go outside, let them use the nail polish too.

6. FOOD: Kids love nothing more than to get their hands dirty. Before they arrive, pre-cook cup cakes and or sugar cookies. Get them lots of frosting and other tidbits to decorate with. Gingerbread men seem to calm kids down and make them more thoughtful about their decorations. They may need to be closely monitored by adults to prevent sudden sugar buzzes.

7. MOVIES: I keep a few kids movies in my home and have found that the classics such as Charlie Brown, Betty Boop, Popeye The Sailor really goes a long way. However, when the kid's are at aunties house, they really just want to play. Save the TV for last when they have tuckered out and are ready to settle down. Give them lots of popcorn and water.

Tips & Warnings

• Children are incredibly imaginative as well. Allow them to give you some ideas of things to do.

Resources

• Life on a small farm...

[2besure]

on 11/20/2008 Ahhh the good old days, when you made cut out paper dolls and played camp out with sheets and chairs!