Age Appropriate Activity Suggestions/tips Needed to Keep a 2 Yr & 5 Yr Old Busy

I have tried different days making playstations around the house kinda like a school. Just simple things a puzzle spot, coloring spot, game spot , book spot etc. Each kid can work their way around the stations and spend as lonmg as they want there. My 3 1/2 yr loves it and she can keep herself pretty busy most of the day with the activites. I rotate myself in and play a few minutes her and there to see what they are doing or how or just to play.

You have gotten some good ideas already, so I'll be brief. Kids love to be timed to see how fast they can do something or how much they can do before the time runs out. Anytime you can make a game out of things it goes faster and is more fun. They like boundaries and challenges and games combine them. Plus music is a great tool. Singing or dancing around during chores can make them seem more fun, and time passes quicker for the kids. Or have them come up with a dance number while you complete a task. Let them perform it for you when you finish. Give a warning before it is time to clean up - 5 more minutes - You have time to do one more puzzle before it's time to clean up! Who can pick up the most legos before I count to 10? That will help them transition from one activity to the next with less argument or attitude. They want to be included in your day and be part of what you are doing. The more you let them help the better. Plus it is easier to get them doing chores and taking time to focus on a task until it is finished as they get older too. Last thing - Praise their efforts and show them when they are getting along and cooperating on a task. Praise is so important if you want good behavior to prevail. Enjoy this time, even the challenges, because it passes all too quickly. I wish you luck!

Hi K.,
I have a suggestion that is an alternative to playdough. It's called Rainbow Soap Spaghetti. It's a Bubble Goddess Bath Company Product made for this exact reason! It is all of our natural soap scraps run through a grinder to make it look like spaghetti. It's very colorful and fun to use! It comes in a 4 lb tub with a cookie cutter so they can mold it and cut fun shapes. In the end they can use the soaps they made or give them as gifts (grandparents love it)
I dont know if you have ever heard of Bubble Goddess Bath Company, we are a local Colorado company. My sister in law created it about three years ago and we make all the products ourselves by hand. Everything is all natural as well! Let me know if you have any questions about the Soap Spaghetti, it really is FUN!
We also have a little Boutique set up in our home office so if you ever want to come by for a tour and see where everything is made I would LOVE to show you around! It's located in Englewood near Park Meadows Mall.

My other suggestion would be to give them little "jobs" of their own that "help" you. It might not have anything to do with the chores your doing but it makes them feel needed! Do they have a toy kitchen, vacuum, etc.? You could have them wash their dishes while you wash yours, or vacuum their room when your vacuuming the house.

Just a thought! Good Luck!

T. B.
Bubble Goddess Bath Company
"Natural Bath Products For Your Inner Goddess"
###-###-####
____@____.com

You have gotten lots of ideas and I love the one about getting your little ones to help. But my advice is when they fight over toys. My friend puts the toy that is in dispute in time out. It makes the kids have to learn how to share or they both lose the toy. She says it works better than just taking the toy away. Good luck!

See website: FamilyFun.com for lots of great activities that may help for your situation, but it also gives lots of fun ideas for the summer.

Our boys are almost 2 and almost 5. One of our rules that has helped a lot is that they are each responsible for making sure that their brother is having a good time. If they cannot agree on how to be happy, the toy gets put away for now. Sometimes ends with a tantrum from the 2 year old, but we never have to do it more than once in a day, usually around 9:00. After that, it works to just remind them to make sure the other one is having a good time. I often let them play in their room when I need to get something done. The toys and books are all sorted by each child. The older one sort of helps the younger one stay out of trouble with toys that are off limits. Usually that entails leaving some of the toys away until nap time so the little one isn't tempted. It's takes work, but we're getting to where they can be in their room for 30 minutes or so before they need intervention. We also apply the same rules in the living room, but since it's not completely childproof, they are only in there when we are somewhere near to monitor.

My dd is going on 2 in June, and I watch a 1 year old and I understand the fighting over toys alot. I been buying color wonder products for my dd since she was a year old and they are great. The markers only work on certain paper so it doesn't make me keep a close eye on them. I took both of them to the store and let each of them pick one out and that book is theres. So when I need to do something I pull them out and they are occupied for about 30 minutes.

K., check out flylady (www.flylady.net) the routines she helps establish make it so you spend less time cleaning. I put my dd-2 to work! Lol. she "dusts" and wipes down counters etc. even "sweeps" the kitchen floor. She loves being part of the cleaning--and even though I generally have to redo what she has helped with it is great to be teaching her the value of working already and keeps her busy while I am cleaning.
For shower time, honestly...I put in a Disney show and let her have a snack or eat her breakfast on a little table we pull out. It's special for her and I get a few minutes before she comes wandering in. lol.
one of the things I Love about flylady is her timer concept. 15 min might be a bit long for your kids but they could do 5. You could start with 5 min. on the timer and say something like Mommy is going to set the timer for 5 min. and I want you to get as much done on your puzzle/picture etc. I'll come check and see how it went. You'll be amazed at what you can get done in 5 min. and they will be focused for that time. The timer goes off, lots of cheering wohoo! and can we do it again? you can spend 5 min with them get their mommy fix in, and then go get something else done the next 5. you'll probably find what time is perfect for you and your kids, it might stay at 5 min or it might work up to 10 or 15. I never do more than 15 because MY attention span can't handle it! lol. the timer helps the kids know a boundary. I love it gives me boundaries too because I get so overwhelmed with all I have to do, I know that I only have to work on a project/chore for the 15 min. and then the timer releases me. and I am always amazed at how much I get done in that amount of time, often finishing the chore long before the time is up.
I think you could use the timer as well to say if you guys can go 5 min without fighting we will get out the bubbles/other activity they love for the next five!
hope it helps.

Take your shower before they get up. Involve them in the cleaning process and reward them for a job well done... like playing a game with them afterward, a trip to the park, watching a video together, making their favorite dessert, a dime for each chore, etc... Make it fun.

Get the kids involved, make it fun. A big part of that is your attitude and enthusiasm! There are little jobs they can do to help - it may take you more time but you will be establishing some lifetime skills, attitudes and standards. Get some kids sized tools - brooms, dust mop, even aprons. THe same goes in the kitchen - anyone who eats needs to know how to cook and clean up, anyone who wears clothes needs to know how to do laundry, ironing and sew on a button, anyone who uses the bathroom needs to know how to clean it, anyone who drives a car needs to know how to change a tire, check oil and do a basic tune up!