[honu]

Hi everyone!

I'm watching my Godchildren this weekend and was wondering if you could suggest a few activities. We'll have a 9 year old girl and a 4 1/2 year old boy from tonight until Sunday night. We plan to go to a local mall to eat lunch, play in their child areas, see The Incredibles (movie), and shop for X-Mas presents, but that's about it. The rest of the time is open. I'm in St. Louis and the weather should be in the 60s this weekend, so maybe something else outside? They both have tons of energy and it will take one thing after another to keep them fully entertained. Plus I rarely get them for the weekend, so this is special and they realize they're gonna get spoiled. So, what ideas have you got? Thanks everyone and have a great weekend!

[pez collector]

Since the weather is going to be nice, do you know of a large park? If there is one with a large playground, even better. Fresh air is always good. It also helps to tire them out, so they will sleep better for you. Enjoy your time with your Godchildren. God Bless.

[stephieb4]

Do you have any Science museums, zoos or aquariums close?? I know I have a 10 year old and a 6 year old and they LOVE those! Good luck!

[crick]

Just wanted to say that the younger child might not be old enough to see "The Incredibles". While it's being marketed as a kid's movie, the themes in the movie are actually pretty adult. The mom dies in this movie, and a lot of critics are saying it wasn't meant to be seen by young children no matter how it's being marketed. In any case, you might go on line and read the plot and some info on it before making a decision.

On the activities note.....

My very active kids enjoy the park, rec center activities (swimming, basketball, free gym etc.), taking a walk to a nearby lake to skip stones, find bugs, climb trees etc., and really anything where they can just run off their energy. They'll shop for a little while but it's not a fun activity for them and would rather just run around. Plus I find if the day is too jam packed with stuff where they don't get to run off energy, they get a bit cranky and tired, but not tired enough to sleep.

Do you have a children's museum, zoo, bumble bounce gym, bowling alley, putt putt golf, etc. nearby? Those are fun and even the younger one can do these things.

In house activities - washable paints, coloring, leap pads, computer fun, videos, twister (you kind of make up your own rules on this one), legos, baking cookies and decorating them, body tracing (get big roll of paper and have them lie down, trace around them & then they color), playdough - love to make their own and it's easy, and I'm sure they'll have things to suggest to help you out. You could also check out some family websites that can offer more suggestions, games, crafts etc.

Have a great time!
Crick

[stephieb4]

Howdy... I just actually went and saw "the Incredibles" today. Not to give it all away.. But the MOM doesn't die. There was some adult humor (probably no more than Shrek 2), but I have a 3 1/2, 6 and 10 year old and they loved it.

[Support2Adopt]

Wow! Alot of great ideas already! To add to them, renting Shrek 2, getting a Play-doh set, arts and crafts kits, etc.
Here's a silly one all of my kids love; checking the weather on TV at the various places we have traveled to. We have DISH, so they are able to do this.
JJ

[Nina24]

Just a suggestion, but while you are having so much fun with them, be take some pictures! Then, if you pull out the arts & crafts things, help them each decorate a picture frame. It can be as simple as a cardboard frame that will fit around a 4x6 snapshot hung on the refrigerator or as elaborate as a cheap frame from a craft store so the kids can glue things on them & stand them up on their dresser at home. Once your pictures are in, you could mail them their completed frames as a momento of your special weekend. Woudn't that be special? Come to think of it, have them help you make a third one so you get to keep one too! Just be sure to put down a plastic tablecloth or something underneath, because a an Aunt to 9, I can tell you how messy even the simplist project can become! But those are the most fun, of course!!!!
No matter what, enjoy their visit,
Nina

[honu]

Thank you so much everyone! Last night we ate Sonic and watched Scooby Doo on DVD. Then of course we jumped on their bed and had tons of fun playing super heroes and beauty queens with towels wrapped around our necks. Today we're off to Purina Farms (petting zoo, lots of interactive stuff, etc.). Tonight I love the idea for the picture frames, so of course I'll take my camera to Purina Farms and hope to get some great shots. Tomorrow it's The Mills (a mall) to see The Incredibles, shop (because actually they do love to do this), and play because there are all sorts of play areas for kids. It's an awesome mall, you could easily live in there. Anyway, we also have some Play-Doh and more DVD's if necessary so I think we're fully set for the weekend. Thanks again everyone!!

I just wanted to add, if I ever had even an ounce of hesitation before about adopting, it's completely gone now. I was helping the younger boy with his bath last night and he was so calm and sweet and having so much fun. I can't wait to bring home our kids. I think after this weekend we're both truly ready for messes, broken stuff, loud nights, and all the other great things that go along with raising kids.

[Xx~*Melinda*~xX]

I would suggest going to the park and walking around, letting them play. Mabye going swimming or to an outside water pak. DVDs and movies are a good way to keep them entertained for a short while. If u buy toys at the mall they would probobally love that. I know my lil sister (ten years) (adopted) loves to go to petting zoo's and to fairs (if there is any around.) It sounds like you are going to have a fun week-end!

[Cobb]

Neighbors sent us some treats yesterday, a really cute autumn snack/craft. They put some chocolate frosting on the top third of a donut hole, rolled the frosting in toffee bits and inserted a broken piece of pretzel into the middle (the curved part of a twisty one). Looks like an acron. Easy, cute, and delicious!

For another weekend. My parents have started a great tradition with all their grandkids of "mystery trips". They plan a day of things as simple as lunch, the park, movies, etc. but make a big thing out of the surprise element - the kids never know what's in store for them, make a real game of guessing. They'll draw a map with the kids as they hit each site, take lots of pictures and have started a scrap book. One time the kids got together and with Grandmas help, turned the tables on Grandpa. He had to follow their driving directions to the final destination. Ice cream! He knew of course, but the kids didn't realize that and had great fun keeping the secret. It's the playful feel of the trips that make them special. What wonderful memories!

Have fun!
Cobb