I'm babysitting a 5 year old girl from 10:00am to 8:00pm every single day. She has gotten bored with most things we do, so I need something creative and I prefer it to be inside, because it's way too hot.
By Dianeis R.
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My daughters love to play with shaving cream, it's like $1 a can at walmart. Just let her smear it all over the table, it really is fun. Can be messy, but it won't stain. My girls also love to draw. Play doh is fun, and cheap too. Just be careful it doesn't get mashed into carpet. Practice writing her name with her, my 3 year old loves writing. Go to the library and borrow childrens books, most kids love books.
Have you checked out community things? Right now in my neighborhood, there are several vacation Bible schools going on, our library has programs for the kids, our swimming pool has lessons and special rate passes for the summer, and we have movies in the park.
Does she have a craft box? No need for anything special, just old magazines, scissors, glue, some construction paper, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and things like that. You can find most old school supplies at yard sales for pennies.
Homemade play dough with kitchen utensils, make clothes for a doll, empty food containers for a special "pretend" shopping trip, practice her printing for school, teach her the sounds of the letters or how to read if she's that advanced, how to tell time and count money, gardening - even if it's in a pot, make things with yarn, cooking/baking lessons, how to sort laundry and properly wash dishes by hand, how to follow directions (make pudding and jello if nothing else), and read, Read, read to her, exercise with her.
Try this recipe for sand dough: Sculpt a summer sandcastle, even f you don't live near the beach!
What you need (per person)
1 cup clean sand
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup water
Old pot (per batch)
1. Have an adult (you, if you're old enough) put all the ingredients into an old pot and cook over medium heat. Stir frequently until the mixture is very thick.
2. Allow the dough to cool until it can be handled easily.
3. Knead the dough until it feels like gritty playdough.
4. Create a fun sculpture - try a castle, a sea critter or even a friendly monster!
You should also check out the Zoom website - www.pbskids.org/zoom for some great kids' activities. They even have printable activity books. Good luck!
Since the Olympics are coming up soon, why not look up a different country every day and study them at her level; talk about the games kids play, what they study, how different/alike they are with her, the kinds of clothes they wear, their language, etc. Then, prepare a "native" food or snack with her every day, and plan a craft particular to that country, too. In addition, look for a world map, then place a mark or flag at each location you research. This can be continued from now through the Olympics and way beyond since there are so many countries participating in the Games! Good luck!
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