[wish41more]

I can't stand to sit in the house and either can my kids! Besides going to the park, out for walks, or chuckie cheese, what do all of you do to keep busy? I'm running out of ideas and find that most days my 4yo is asking over and over, "what are we doing today". I feel so bad if I have nothing planned!
Any ideas?

[MamaTo6]

Wish41more...first off congratulations on your pg. Twins ! wow! How wonderful.


Things to do...library for story time or craft time.

Craft time at home...maybe in the yard at the patio table weather permitting. Lots of craft ideas on the internet.

Call your local recreation centre and see what they have to offer for kids. Here they have everything from swimming to dance lessons to cooking for kids...and it's really inexpencive too.

As the end of summer and early fall come around and you are heavy with children, you may want to have your little one doing things you can observe and not have to participate in.

Also not too far from our home is a public park with a free wading pool. There is also a life guard on duty. I drag my lawn chair and a picnic lunch and we spend a few hours there atleast once a week during the warm weather.

Anyway hope I have given you atleast one idea you hadn't thought of.

Warm wishes...MamaTo6

[Tudu]

We have a family membership to the zoo. It is very inexpensive and lasts for a year.

You can also look for free things to do in your city online. We have an ice cream factory that is free one day a week and you get to taste the different flavors. Alot of local museums are discounted in the afternoon.

[shy_bear]

I am trying to come up with more ideas myself with summer quickly approaching, but in the past my girls have always loved going to story time at the local library; it is free.

Is there a MOP's group in your area or if you attend church do they have a mom's group that meets weekly?

I agree with the rec center idea. They have mommy and me swim classes, mom groups, etc.

Do you have a children's museum by you?

[hdallas]

I can't wait to have this question. I am dreaming of having a flower and vegatable garden and teaching the children about growing things and watching the progress of a seed become something beautiful and useful (flowers/vegetables). There is a little something to do in the garden everyday (water, weed, pick flowers, etc.).

I think also doing jobs around the house (age appropriate of course) are great for teaching tools and also gives a child a sense of accomplishment and self esteem(I made the chocolate pudding, etc).

Making the most out of a daily routine is great!!!
We have a free conservatory in our area....do you. Walk through the huge greenhouse and look at the different varieties of plants.
Just a few ideas of what I am looking forward to.
Have fun and enjoy.

[bjhv5]

We love the park and are getting a pass to the zoo as well.We also have parks with water play areas. Of course with Hilly we do alot here at the house outside.
If I were you I would get somethings(craft, movies,etc) that when you are BIG with babies you can sit back and let them just have fun.Have you thought about the finger paint that only shows on the special paper so you dont have to worry about carpet,walls each other! LOL

[fourbeauties94]

How about doing a weekly good deed or service project. There are always many volunteer opportunities in every community but some examples are: visiting a nursing home or veterans home, walking dogs at the humane society (this is the favorite of all of my kids ), visiting shut-ins from your church, or delivering meals for the Meals-on-Wheels program. May as well take advantage of your son's ambition and help other people.

[momofmykids]

Wish,
My jaw dropped when I saw your sig line!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! How exciting!!!

Glad to see things are going better with little G.

Sorry I didn't read the other posts...got too excited about the twins. Did anyone mention board games? Your four year old would probably enjoy Candyland or something like that.

Again, CONGRATS ON THE TWINS!!! I'm so happy for you.

[healingmachine]

Ideas to keep busy:

*I know someone mentioned the zoo and memberships aren't that bad, but check and see if they have a free day. In my county, residents get in free on Mondays from 10-noon. Check it out, might be worth it!

*When I babysat my goddaughter and her sister, they loved to collect "things" from outside and create art projects (pine cones, dandelions, etc.)

*sidewalk chalk. 'nuff said.

*I second the good deed with Humaine Society...other local rescue groups may need your help as well

*Local baseball team? Seasons are starting with daytime games...

*can create a scavenger hunt outside...pick out things ahead of time and how many to find....a big adventure!!!

*sprinkler/water toys/balls

Hope some of these ideas help...maybe you can plan for four days and have your son plan the fifth day. He might really enjoy that or at least give you some good ideas of what he's interested in.

[phantaja]

Does your city have a Childrens Museum? Science Center? A nature center? Many of those offer free or nearly free days. When my boys were in the four-ish range we would go to those regularly.
We also belonged to MOPs and a SAHM group. Seeing different kids (and their toys!) was always something to look forward to. Gymboree got pricey after a while, but about once or twice a month gave them a day to look forward to on the calender.

[TexasJingles]

How about flying kites? Riding bikes?

We have a park not far away where we do these things, and when it gets warmer, it's also a sprinkler area.

We also have a "Family Brain Cell Development" time everyday (or as many days as we can). It's a fancy phrase for homework (T would have a cow if you mentioned homework, but he'll do the same work during FBCD time! go figure!). The kids can do homework, read a book, write a letter, play educational games (leap pad) and other approved activities.

At 4, you could make cleaning the house a huge game! "What are we going to do today Mommy?" "We're going to move all the furniture out, make a fort (great rainy day activity even if you're not cleaning), and see how much "treasure" we find!" Isn't that fun?!

[wish41more]

I am overwhelmed with GREAT ideas! I think I'll make a list of things to do so I have stuff to choose from. Thanks for all the congrats posts! Dh and I braved the infertility Dr. once more and it paid off! Our family is about to grow, BIG TIME!
Lets keep this thread going. It's great to hear new ideas!

[Snugglebug]

I like www.rookiemoms.com it has over 200 ideas of things to do with the kiddos, big and small.

[shycar]

Texas Jingles-- I love love the moving furniture idea. I have to start spring cleaning soon, especially since the girls will probably be staying longer (I think the family got spooked) so we need to rearrange things around. Great way to include the kids.

I have my kids color on the sidewalks with chalks. We live in a townhome and they love to leave messages for the neighbors. If its warm enough I take them to the park close to us with a basket full of water balloons and throw it at eachothers and I have water bottles we fill up. We also have a huge area they can run and we have different kinds of races. Or hide treasure aroung the neighborhood and have them try to find it. I also have them bathe the dog or wash the car together.

Congratulations on the twins. I love twins.

[Happy123]

My wonderful therapist (for the kids) told me that kids need to have down time and some days to schedule nothing. I just tell them that it is a lazy home day. I do not do this that often, but we have them. The kids are learning how to entertain themselves. BUT, I do love all the activities that are suggested. I do a lot of them too.

Happy123