I need some activities/crafts/games that my three year old can do supervised (i.e. me in the same room) but which she can do on her own. Also they need to be things that can be done at the kitchen table or elsewhere in the house. As little mess as possible is preferred.

We have play-doh already, so that's one thing, and it keeps her busy for a while. She doesn't like to color much. I am just in desperate need of suggestions, it just seems like my brain can't come up with anything and I need something to keep her occupied while I get things done! We go and play at the park every day so she has a chance to run around and get in some good playing, and we do other things together in the house (reading, etc.) but I also have to get housework done and my college homework. And when I try to do anything, she is either clinging to me or otherwise interrupting me ("mommymommymommymommymommymommy" or she goes off to do her own thing which usually involves getting into stuff in the other rooms and making a huge mess or otherwise destroying things. That of course only puts me even farther behind.

Halp!

 

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What about having her making home made instruments out of paper plates and dry beans or paper towel rolls and construction paper (works as a drum w/o having a drum) as long as you don't mind the noise.

 

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We got a preschool game for the computer that kiddo loves. It's entertaining and educational. He can wander around and do games or redecorate the area with prizes from finishing the learning games. Jumpstart Preschool World it's called.

Puzzles, blocks, Tinkertoys, HotWheels.

Kiddo also likes to play with MS paint. He's also figured out how to navigate to the games on Tvokids.com. (The homepage on his computer. He's only ever on the computer when I'm sitting beside him on mine though.)

 

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We found something that Aime (age 3) absolutely loves to do and it keeps her busy from 30-60 minutes at a time. At Wal-Mart in the crafts section, I found these containers of thin foamlike shapes that have peel off and stick backings. They are only about 5 bucks apiece for a fairly large container and they come in different shapes and colors. Aime has sea life shapes, flowers, letters and assorted shapes. I then bought her a large container of various colors of construction paper and then let her go to town. I did spend a little time with her (maybe 15 minutes) showing her how she could layer the shapes and use different shapes for different effects so everything would have a nice 3 dimensional effect that she likes.

The containers are clear with a corded handle and are roughly the size of large oriental takeout containers. They also have a container of large plastic beads and cord that, if you trust your child not to swallow them when unsupervised, are great fun for them as well. Aime never has been very interested in putting stuff in her mouth so we don't worry as much. I looked for them online at walmart.com but was unable to locate them. You'll find them in the same aisle with kids scissors, paints, markers, crafts, etc. In our store, it's near the crafts.

Here's something else I found in my searches that may help.


http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8589336

Edit: Aime also loves to do Starfall at www.starfall.com

Silver

 

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Oh, neat.


My kid likes doing the craft stuff too but it's still fairly interactive. The dollar store has been great for supplies though. Him and Mommy made finger puppets the other day.

 

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my kids love blocks, puzzles, pretend cooking, coloring, painting, play-doh, dolls, that sort of thing. they also have this magnetic paper doll set where they can dress the models and it's all done with magnets so the bits don't all fall off.

 

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http://www.crayola.com/


Lots of fun ideas there.


Nic also loves the coloring books with activities in them. She's 3 and does real good with them.


Try the library! I have a bunch of books on crafts for different age kids.

 

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Thanks guys, there is some good stuff there

I think I'm going to add an hour of "table time" to our daily schedule...an activity she can do by herself but under my eye while I'm accomplishing other things. And I think I'm going to put in a weekly rotation so she doesn't get bored of any one thing. So...play-doh once a week. Magnets once a week (I totally forgot I have a bunch of those traveling magnetic boards, I need to find them). I haven't yet let her have any computer time but that would probably be a really good idea as well. I'm just drooling and imagining all the cool things I'll get done in an hour's time haha.

 

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About once a month, I'd let my children "finger paint" on their table with shaving cream. I know it sounds weird but it cleans like you would not believe, even removing magic marker from tables. After they "painted" on the table a while, take a wet rag and just wipe the table down. You'll be surprised how clean and shiny it is.


A kindergarten teacher passed on that trick to me.

 

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Home-made play dough >> brand name stuff.

If you want a recipe I can get my wife to post it.

 

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