Okay all you parents of 5-yr olds.. Need suggestions..

[C.Ann]

Right now it looks like my granddaughter will be coming Thursday night and staying till Sunday night..

Our lovely weather forecast for the next 6 days is rain, rain, some more rain....and did I mention "rain"?

No other kids around here, so the entertainment is in my hands.. I can usually come up with some pretty creative ideas, but after the week I've been through my head is feeling kind of fuzzy..

What kind of fun things could I do with her here? And don't worry about suggesting outlandish and/or messy activities because I'm pretty open-minded.. Kids are supposed to have fun - and ESPECIALLY at Grandma's!!!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

My kids love to walk in the rain, jump in puddles etc.

Play Doh is more fun at Grandmas House

Make Jello in different shapes

Bake

Rent some movies and make jiffy pop (not the microwave kind)

Make pizza for dinner have her make her own

Dance parties

Painting is also more fun at Grandmas House

Legos are always fun

Go out for lunch

Go to the movies

Walk around the mall

Check out museums

But most of all just give her lots of love and attention and it will be ok!! Have Fun C.Ann

 

[whirlsy]

I would ask her first thing what are some things she would like to do and make some kind of schedule for her, so she has things to look forward too , Movies are great has she seen home on the range yet? baking was always fun for my kids so is an arts and crafts project maybe something for mothers day.

 

[C.Ann]

I have a low sheet-rocked wall that needs to be primed...

Whattaya think?

 

[JetMom]

Use blankets to make a tent under the kichen table and have a tea party.

How about playing dress up with some of Grandma's clothes?

My boys love to cook. I love the previous poster's idea about making pizza. making/decorating cookies and cupcakes is always a lot of fun.

trips to the library are always fun, too.

 

[JetMom]

Originally posted by C.Ann
I have a low sheet-rocked wall that needs to be primed...

Whattaya think?

It would probably be a big hit!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

My DD5 loves arts and crafts, dress up, dancing, going to the movies, going to the library, helping mom in the kitchen, and tormenting her little sister. I agree that priming the sheet-rock wall would be a big hit as long as you don't mind not having an even priming!

 

[Princess_Aurora]

Find some arts and crafts to do together. My DD is such an artist. She loves doing anything artistic. Take her to the movies (Home on the Range was good) or go rent some Disney movies. If she's seen all the new ones, our Blockbuster has a section of some old Disney classics that haven't come out on DVD yet...so chances are a 5yo hasn't seen them. We got one a few weeks ago that my DD loved...I just can't think of the name right now. Thumbalina or something. It was about a cat.

Take her bowling...I found out 5yo can actually bowl. Our bowling alley has these bumpers for little kids so the ball doesn't go in the gutter and they also have little 4 or 5 lbs balls that are easy for them to roll.

Museums are fun too. Do you have one near you??? Some places have special kids museums that are filled with fun education things.

Grandmas always seem to have tons of makeup. Whenever my DD goes over to her grandma's house she always lets her get into the makeup and she loves it.

Don't worry, there are all kinds of things you can do on rainy days. You'll find something

 

[luv2nascar]

I vote for renting movie & popcorn
going to a movie or bowling
baking cookies or cupcakes is always a hit at our house
board games - my daughter loves checkers and chess
we play rummy and war with cards

 

[Jolie C]

How about....

Card games and board games
Making a cloud in a jar (as if there aren't enough outside!)
Perler Beads
Glue and glitter (always a big hit with my 5 year old)
Restaurant Relay (you eat one course at different restaurants, such as one restaurant just for fries, one just for burgers, one just for dessert - takes up a lot of time!)

I'll post again if I think of anything else.

 

[Carlen T]

Wow C Ann, first of all, that is wonderful you're taking your gr. daughter!!

Secondly...read...LOTS...it's a great bonding tool and teaching tool too!!

All the other suggestions are great too.

 

[C.Ann]

Great ideas! Keep them coming...

Let's see:

I have lots of Play Doh - and lots of cookie cutters..

I didn't see her on Easter - should I hide her stuff around the house, or just give it to her in the basket?

Already have several books on hand.. She's starting to read now and loves books - just like her Grandma!

Uneven priming of the wall is not a problem..

Baking is a good idea - maybe cupcakes.. Creative decorations anyone?

Huge sheets of paper available for drawing and coloring..

Mickey Mouse playing cards available..

She's seen all of my movies a zillion times - maybe I'll hit the rental store for something different..

She loves bath time.. Where can I get that stuff that she can paint on herself in the tub?

Sheets available for tent-making..

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Any ideas on "fun" foods? Right now her favorite meal is fish sticks (with LOADS of tartar sauce); curly smiley french fries; and broccoli.. She does NOT like pizza - in any way, shape, or form..

 

[Lewski709]

chuck e cheese, miniature golf (indoor of couse), movie (great disney movie out now), bowling, finger paint with pudding.

i know you two will have a great time.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Lewski709
finger paint with pudding.

i know you two will have a great time.

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Wow! Fingerpainting with pudding!! Now there's something really creative that she would NEVER get to do at her other Grandma's house (shudder, shudder)..

That is DEFINITELY going on the list!

 

[robsmom]

First of all you have rec'd lots of great ideas for a 5 yr and sound like you are well stocked. Here are my ideas:

make something for mommy - an art project that has an outcome of something that she can make to give/show mommy when mommy feels better. kids always want to impress mommy. check in ac moore or michael's and you can find age appropriate projects. Maybe a picture frame that you decorate and put a picture in.

paint each others nails. Do you have nail polish and stuff? You said you don't mind messy so I assume you won't care if all of your nails are different colors. My neice loves to paint mom-mom's nails.

have fun.

Lisa

 

[Jolie C]

Originally posted by C.Ann
Any ideas on "fun" foods? Right now her favorite meal is fish sticks (with LOADS of tartar sauce); curly smiley french fries; and broccoli.. She does NOT like pizza - in any way, shape, or form..

How about fruit pizza? Sugar cookie dough crust, cream cheese frosting on top of that, whatever fruits she likes cut up for the toppings.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Jolie C
How about fruit pizza? Sugar cookie dough crust, cream cheese frosting on top of that, whatever fruits she likes cut up for the toppings.

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Cool! Now do you mean actually making a cream cheese frosting or maybe just the softened cream cheese - which comes in flavors?

Just so happens I have 2 packages of sugar cookie mix here!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Originally posted by C.Ann
Great ideas! Keep them coming...
I didn't see her on Easter - should I hide her stuff around the house, or just give it to her in the basket?

Baking is a good idea - maybe cupcakes.. Creative decorations anyone?

She loves bath time.. Where can I get that stuff that she can paint on herself in the tub?

Any ideas on "fun" foods? Right now her favorite meal is fish sticks (with LOADS of tartar sauce); curly smiley french fries; and broccoli.. She does NOT like pizza - in any way, shape, or form..

Easter: hide her stuff and tell that the EB made a stop at your house too!

Decorating ideas: let you DGD's imagination be your guide. Just have plenty of decorator icing, sprinkles, etc on hand.

Bath finger paints: any major department store (Target, Walmart, Sears, etc). Lots of fun!!

Fun foods: hard to say. Just when I think I have DDs (5 and 2) figured out, they change their mind!! Right now DD2 loves string cheese. DD5 is a salt freak (like mom!), so any salty food (chips, etc) are a big hit as well as healthy options with some salt sprinkled on it.

Thanks for doing this C. Ann. You have a special place in heaven right next to my MIL for taking the grand kid(s) for a couple of days!

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by jwsqrdplus2

Thanks for doing this C. Ann. You have a special place in heaven right next to my MIL for taking the grand kid(s) for a couple of days!

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Believe me, I'd have her EVERY day if I could..

But you know what? Pretty soon my DH & I are going to be LIVING with my DD, her DH and my granddaughter.. Whoo hoo!

We're going to be "The Waltons" - with a whole bunch of modern conveniences thrown in for good measure.. LOL

 

[phillybeth]

I like the iea of making something for mommy- go to a craft store and pick something out together, maybe a picture frame or one of those handprint plaques?
Lunch at McDonalds with time to have fun in Playland is always fun. Go to the playground in the rain, you will have it to yourselves and can stomp in all the puddles!