Coming up with ways to entertain your kids can be hard, so we’ve come up with a list of activities to keep your little ones amused while also reinventing some games from toys you may already own!
Magna-Tile Jenga
One of the dad’s in a friend’s building came up with this idea. He and his 5-year old daughter built these fun Magna Tile structures and then each person took turns removing one piece at a time, Jenga-style. If the building falls while you’re removing the piece – you lose and are responsible for building an even “harder” building to take apart!
Magna – Tile Playhouse
If doll-houses are more your thing…
Build your characters a secret hideaway, or an extravagant castle out of Magna-Tiles and then come up with a storyline to act out!
Play hide and seek with tiny toys. Hide small toys inside your Magna-Tile creations and have your child find them.
Build – A – Band
Video via: Today’s Parent on Youtube
Video via: Today’s Parent on Youtube
With all of the toilet paper and paper towel rolls you may have accumulated, create your own musical instruments as shown in the videos above. Or try the following:
Make “spy glasses” or pretend binoculars and have your kids go on a hunt for objects around the house or garden.
Build a car and decorate it!
Make a series of tunnels like a subway for your small cars
Homemade Play Dough
Grab a little flour, water, and food colouring and have your little one mix, roll, and cook up all kinds of fun with their dough.
Picasso!
Is your little one an art enthusiast? Here are a few art projects to keep them occupied…
Blow up a balloon and draw faces on it, paint it, or make a paper maché balloon and fill it like a pinata.
On a white sheet of paper have your child draw images with a white crayon. When they’re done drawing, use watercolor paints to paint over the page and watch the images appear!
Have your child draw an image for each letter of the alphabet
Try making miniature doll food and accessories
Make your own sock puppets
Sidewalk/yard drawings with chalk
Popsicle stick people – Get creative! Use cotton balls, grass for hair, leaves, etc…
Make uplifting cards for your neighbors!
Draw and cut out images of animals and have your child draw/paint/build a scene for them to live in.
Make a fun mask based on a theme: i.e…Birds, Scary, Silly, mixed-up faces (eyes/ nose/mouth out of place)
The Architect
For the little builders in your life…
Lego competitions: pick a type of design (car, building, etc) and have everyone build and showcase their creations
Build a structure out of things from your garden! Use sticks, leaves, stones
Design a room out of a shoebox and items from around the house.
Make a maze for your little one to go through
Make an obstacle course for your car or ball
The Fashionista
Yasssss….Werkkkkk!!!! Let’s see how creative you can be!
Make a crown, mask, cape, cool belt
Make some jewelry (bracelet, ring, necklace)
Pick an era and dress to suit!
Silly outfit: Wear a piece of clothes in an unusual way. For example, use socks for gloves, skirt for a shirt, pants for a hat
Outfit swap: Dress like someone in your house
Create your own pair of glasses out of paper and bedazzle it!
Become a character from your favorite book
The Paleontologist
If your child loves to dig and explore…
Jello molds with hidden toys in it ( Dig them out in the bathtub for easy cleanup!)
Hide toys in play dough and have your child dig them out
Plant some seeds together in your garden or in a pot in your apartment
In the bathtub, play with a container full of ice cubes that have hidden treasures throughout. Melt the ice away with warm water or scoop it away with a little shovel, spoon, or cup.
The Gymnast
For the active little munchkins in your life…
Use a sheet as a parachute
Create an obstacle course out of pillows, cushions, and miscellaneous items around the house and hop, jump, skip to get to the finish line! Setting up a timer to see how fast your kids can go seem to be a really good motivator.
Make a hop-scotch obstacle course in your yard
Potato sack race with a pillowcase or laundry bag
Do a work-out video with your child or create a custom circuit that they can keep up with.
Jump rope in your yard or Jumping Jacks in the house
*For families that live in apartment buildings: Many have reached out to their downstairs neighbors to pick a time frame for loud activity (about 30min) that works for everyone. Some are understanding and will work with you to help get your kid’s energy out or for you to work out in your apartment in peace. Other neighbors are a little less open-minded and frankly jerks, but it’s worth asking.
We hope these tips were helpful! Have some helpful tips of your own? Share your ideas with us in the comments below and tag us @Ma_Bohne sharing how you’re having #MaBohne?FunAtHome.
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