Keeping Kids Busy

Looking back at Year One, I realize how often I was required to dig deep and "keep my kids busy".  Spare time is different here.  There aren't libraries for story times, activities, book check out, and plain 'ole browsing and passing an hour.  You can't find community play groups, seasonal fun, or the dozens of other places/groups/activities that are perfect for kids aged "baby to five".  There is free time, but not a ton of "English friendly" ways to fill it.  So, what does a mom like me do?  Create my own time fillers.  Not always easy to do with a four year old, one year old, and a newborn, but we did our best.  Here are some of the things that made us smile at home during Year One...

Playing with fake snow

Printing Disney images and creating cards

Watercolor painting

Soft and silky "sand"

Playdoh

Observing the fizz of colored vinegar and baking soda

Alphabet practice

Matching upper case and lower case letters

Completed!

Sometimes a break is needed!

Putting odds and ends into and out of a wipes box

Feeling, sorting, and dropping random bits into a box

Scooping and stirring in a dry pasta sensory bin

Creating dry pasta masterpieces

More vinegar fun!

Emptying cartons of art supplies when Mama isn't looking!

Mosaics

Playing with puff balls

And just being silly together!

Here's to Year Two filled with more exploring, more creating, more learning, and more fun at home together!