We rarely have overnight guests so I don't keep a guest room set up. But we have an 11 year old coming for the weekend soon with her grandfather. They will be staying in a hotel but the weatherman says it'll be raining and storming all weekend so she won't be able to go outside and play with my dogs like I had planned for her.
Being 11, she won't be wanting to spend all her time with the grownups! So I set up a room for her. I broke down my craft room (took me all of 15 minutes to move my stuff into the other room) and took 2 single size air mattresses and stacked them on top of each other after blowing them up. I put a couple of pillows on it, and it's just like a couch in there now.
I also went through our DVD collection and pulled out all the ones that are appropriate for her age and put them in there, along with a lot of different CD's and a portable CD player. I set up a TV and DVD player too. Now she'll have someplace that her and the dogs can go and get away from the adults and she can watch whatever movies or programs she wants or listen to whatever CD's she wants. And she can be comfortable too.
Cricketnc from Parkton, NC
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I think that's a great idea. Simple but perfect for your young guest. I think I'll do the same for my grandchildren who are 5, 4 and 4. I'll use some variations, of course. Thanks for the idea!
I think this is a wonderful idea, I have two nieces, 11 and 13, this would be great for them. Thanks for the idea.
What a thoughtful idea! Many adults don't take the time to think of what a child might like. She is lucky to have you :)
What a great idea. I might also add comfortable chairs for reading books, or a table for doing artwork, depending on her style.
I think that is very sweet of you to do to make her feel comfortable. Also I don't know what kind of crafts you do but if you make cards she might be interested in doing that.
You are such a thoughtful person...I spent too many hours "visiting" with relatives when there was nothing except the pictures on the wall to entertain me. She'll have a wonderful time and so will the dogs, I'm sure.
You are so thoughtful! I hope you all have a wonderful time together!
I have to agree with all the others: You are one thoughtful, sweet person. I think we can all remember being bombarded by adult stuff and their company at that age~ As the mother of 8, I had no shortage of "kid friendly" spaces, but had I NOT, I can only hope I'd have been as forward thinking/planning as you!
Just a thought~ how about a blank, inexpensive journal and perhaps a disposable camera for her? She will certainly have things to think about and even photograph with all that rainy day time on her hands! Maybe even sketchbooks and charcoal or pastels! Art therapy(!) is so great when you are bored! Have fun with your guests! Any inexpensive crafty stuff will be so welcome, and see if you can find out her fave type of reading material! My daughter(5) made this "wreath" one snowy, boring day while I made some 200 phone calls for a charity event! Kids are great at amusing themselves with the right, albeit cheap, supplies handy! Just remember: Always praise any attempts she makes at art, writing, drawing or even moving review writing! She will love you for it, as will Grandpop!
I forgot to mention earlier that I had also gone to the Dollar Store and to Dollar General and picked up a few games and small stuffed animals and even found a couple of inexpensive DVD type games she couild play.
By the way, the weekend turned out to be glorious weather. We took her to a local lake with lots of slides, swings, etc and she had a ball. Other than that she had fun outside with the dogs, and at nite she and the dogs played together in her room. I let her take the stuffed animals and the hand held games with her to entertain her on the rest of her trip with her Grandpa. Now she's telling him she wants to come back! LOL
I think its wonderful how you show so much interest in making her feel comfortable during her visit. She's very lucky! God bless.
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