Hey, For all of us out there trying to get through this with kids, I thought I'd start a thread on things we can do with our kids when we are just too tired/sick/ to be physically active with them.
Here are a few on my list:
1) Movies/cartoons (obviously) 2) Reading a book 3) Playing cards 4) Playing 'doctor' (you get to be the patient) 5) Playing hairdresser (again, you get to be the client...just make sure the scissors are up, or you may have quite a surprise when you look in the mirror, lol!) 6) Guess the letter/number. This was a game we invented as children and it is really fun, kids love it! One person lays down on their tummy, the other person 'draws' a letter or number with their finger on the other person's back. The person laying down must guess what it is (you first state whether it is a number or letter).
Anyone have any ideas??
take care, Ocean
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
My daughter loves to "make me up".
Be prepared to look like a clown though.
We play Wii as well as have "movie" time.
Popcorn and all.
Mine are only 7 and 5.
While they jump in the trampoline, I tell them which animal to be.
We do art activities together.
Scissors, glue, stickers, etc.
Plus it is good for their imagination.
I give them old clothes and they dress up and I get to "guess" who they are.
We also do "massage" time.
I usually give them each one dollar for that which they can save or spend.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Ohhh...massage time! I really like that one! Mine are the same age as yours, except we have 3, the youngest is 2.
I can imagine my 5 year old would love the make-up on. My 7 year old (boy) would love a Wii, maybe we'll get one for Christmas this year!
Great ideas, thanks!
Ocean
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
These are great ideas!
We do massages, too.
We also do "charades". I'm the guesser.
We hypnotize each other.
These are things that my kids like to do that don't really require me to do much of anything.
My 11 and 9 year olds will play the games.
(That is, when the 11 year old feels like being a kid.)
I have teenagers who will just sit and talk.
(Sometimes just engaging a teenager in conversation is alot of work!)
Posted by carly (Member # 14810) on :
I don't know how you do it with the little ones!
God Bless You!
I know I just wouldn't have the energy anymore.
Posted by JaimieB (Member # 19076) on :
I have two boys ages 6 and 3.
We play alot of playstation, side walk chalk drawlings, hide n seek, board games, back rubbing time, they jump on the trampoline, we play with their action figures (I have grown to love Ben ten and bakugon!)
On days I feel decent, we go hiking and shoot bb guns, build camp fires. I try to make the most of my decent days with them.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
I'm in the grandmother stage now but I've found board games to be a great way to spend time with 5 & 8 yr old.
I like to do things that exercise my brain as in crossword puzzles. Board games also are good for me mentally.
Christmas we always purchase games. The game Sorry has been a blast for us. It's been war, fun and very entertaining. I Spy games with timers.
I wonder why the boys are so much faster than Nana? My grandson think I'm special because I'm able to give massages with oils.
No training needed. I have several years experience. They seem to think I can take all pain away. If they only knew the truth.
Pam
Posted by mazou (Member # 15319) on :
I have a 2 year old, so it's a little different with such a young one.
When I am truly out of it, we watch a cartoon and snuggle. But normally, I am functional, not great, but functional. So most of our playtimes revolve around things which I can watch and say "oooh!" rather than run around:
1. Play with kitchen stuff, e.g., flour, dried beans.
2. Play with water in a plastic tub. Toys, spoons, whatever.
3. Puppet show with socks
4. Draw on big brown wrapping paper spread across the floor
5. Read
6. Tear up the boardgame, e.g., take out all of the Monopoly pieces and talk about them
7. Empty the toolbox and try everything out (me hiding anything dangerous, of course!)
8. Makeup. Uh-oh. But fun.
9. Computer games
10. Singing and dancing to itunes
Posted by Ocean (Member # 3496) on :
Thanks guys for all of the ideas! I am going to write them down and post them so I have a list handy when I need it!
I think it's hard for me too, because my kids range from 2-7, and obviously the 7 year old doesn't want to play 'baby games'.
A lot of times, the 5 and 7 year old play together and the 2 year old and I play.
The puppet show with socks would work for all 3 of them though, I think they would all love using their imaginations for that.
Take care, Ocean
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
For the summer, water guns, making water balloons,
Allowing my two to make "mud Pies" are also very entertaining for them.
So is swimming. I don't have to be in the pool, just on duty.
My daughter (7) loves Hannah Montanna.
She will practice a song in her room and "perform" for me.
My 5 year old, (boy) is very content to play with his cars.
I keep a prize box filled with little things.
Beanie babies, cars, small puzzles, lip gloss, etc.
When the children are really good they get to pick out something.
This is really big in my house.
A two year old......Ah I remember those days well.
Mine loved to be swung in a kids swing.
Didn't take too much of my energy.
My daughter always loved and still loves baby dolls.
I buy a cheap pack of baby diapers....very entertaining since she was 2.
We play Yahtzee (sp?). When my youngest was too young,
I let him shake the can with the dice in it.
Another game for the trampoline is to take balloons.
Blow them up almost full but where there is still some give.
My kids try to jump on them with their behinds and pop them.
Talk about funny!
The Wii was probably one of the best investments I've ever made.
My children also have their own computers....linked to mine.
They play games on Nick Jr.com.
Also have a school site with really good educational games.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by emh2l (Member # 18886) on :
Play-doh !!! My kids will play with it for hours and it is fun to play with them.
Dance parties. Movies w/ popcorn. Cook dinner together. Have a picnic in the yard. Reading time. (With snacks, quiet music, etc) Pajama day. (Everyone gets to wear PJs all day.) Board games. Wii competitions. Build forts. Write/illustrate books.
I have five children ranging in age from 5-12. They are all very helpful and like to make just about anything into a game. If I feel lousy, usually doing an activity with them picks me up.
Posted by pab (Member # 904) on :
My kids are older - 18 & 22. They have been sick for 10 years.
I don't think we would have made it this far without their computers, Nintendo DSs, satellite TV, and DVRs. Right now, all 3 of us watch Orangutan Island together.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)