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

[Princess_Aurora]

You can probably find those bath paints at Toys R Us. They also have crayons for them to color on the tile that washes off and some kind of dye that changes the color of the water but not the kid.

My DD loves it when my MIL takes her to have a pedicure and manicure together. She really loves that, so if you don't want to do the actual nail painting, have it professionally done...not only is it good for you but she'll have fun too

 

[Pembo]

Bake brownies! My 5 yo loves to do that with his gram.

 

[Jolie C]

Originally posted by C.Ann
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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!

Whatever you and your granddaughter like

Edited to add : My favorite "method" for this is plain cream cheese spread over the sugar cookie dough (bake this first, by the way) and then putting a thin layer of raspberry/huckleberry jam on top of the plain cream cheese, then adding the fruit. Yum! But, I've also used flavored cream cheese and cream cheese frosting. All are good.

 

[debster812]

You've gotten LOADS of great ideas.

I have a 6YO Boy, here are a few of ours:

Yep, it's gonna rain, rain, rain. I put him in windpants, snow boots, and his rain jacket, and let him go out and Puddle Stomp, and just play in the rain. As long as the temps are not too cold, no problem. Then he comes in and has a nice long shower.

Baking, Arts and Crafts are always good.

I agree--hide her Easter stuff, and tell her the Bunny stopped at your house too.

I think she would LOVE to prime your low wall. Throw a big shirt on her, drop cloth EVERYTHING and let her have at it. Maybe get some kid's sized safety goggles just so she does not get paint in her eyes (it will come out of everywhere else)

 

[mrsmom]

Make something for mothers day. My girls like to make Bath salt, take epson salt add some scents, like lavender or jasmine (You can get at Micheals or any craft store)then add some food coloring and stir ,then put in pretty jars. It's a hit with all our family here.
Have fun!!!
Kim

 

[cgcw]

Fun foam makes a tub of shapes with sticker backs. My daycare kids LOVE them -- they will stick them all over pieces of paper and use an entire tub if they have the chance. They stick well to paper or to sheets of fun foam. Cheap entertainment.

Pasta and rice color well with food coloring. It takes a while to get it to dye and dry. Then she could use it to make some really neat 3-D pictures.

How about along the lines of baking, making those cupcakes in the ice cream cones? She might get a kick out of that.

 

[Kallison]

C.Ann - My 9 year old DD loves crafts and I just found a winner -- Sculpey clay. Not messy like PlayDough. It comes with other kits where you can get molds and plastic shaping tools. You bake it at a low temp for 10 min. and it hardens. She has made some amazing X-mas ornaments with it.

DD also loves to bake anything. Candyland and Uno are favorite games. There are a lot of little girl chick flicks out at the movies. Have fun with your DGD.

 

[KimRaye]

Originally posted by debster812
You've gotten LOADS of great ideas.

I agree. I even got a few myself!

Easy bake oven? Sand art kit? (You said you didn't mind messy)

Cupcake decorations? Try using licorice pieces and raisins and, whatever else you may have and, make faces, whiskers, etc.

I think you might find something here, not sure tho: familyfun.com

My DD loves to play board games and cards, among other things. She's also into Polly Pocket and girl Legos. You can pick up some of the smaller sets of these both for about $5, give or take.

DD also loves to draw AND do WORKbooks. Maybe a pre-K/Kdgr workbook or two? (Even grandma will need a FEW moments to relax) Crayons, markers and colored pencils as well as paints.

Something my parents do with the kids (and I realize you said rain) but, do you have a fireplace to roast weinies and marshmallows? All the gkids LOVE doing this, with supervision of course.

How about a squirt gun or bubbles for the bath? By bubbles, I mean the bottle kind that she can blow. Whenever it's yucky outside, DD can go in the bathroom and blow bubbles in the tub. I think crazy foam also makes a colored soap-type foam that she can wash herself with.

Enjoy, altho I know you WILL!

 

[laurie31]

Sounds like you're both going to have a great time! I'll second (ot third) the people who said little girls love to play with nail polish and make-up - the girls could play "beauty shop" all day! Let her do your hair and nail (and toenails) - what fun! Mine also love to play "store." They have a toy cash register and lots of play foods and such, but you don't need all that. You can use a calculator and monoploy money - or even let her draw her own play money.

Also, an idea for cupcake decorations - use those little colored marshmallows to make flowers. A whole one for the center and cut them in half to make petals. If you want to really get into it, use icing or little strips of fruit-by-the-foot for stems.

BTW, my dd's would absolutely LOVE painting the wall!

Lastly, another vote for reading. My kids LOVE for their grandparents to read to them. You can go to the library together to choose books if you don't have lots of kiddie titles around, and don't forget that she may enjoy hearing a chapter each night from a longer book, like one of the American Girl books, or Little House on the Prairie.

No matter what you do, she'll bask in being the center of your attention!

Laurie

 

[C.Ann]

The sad part is....she may not be coming now...

But the good part is........I think her Mommy is going to be home from the hospital!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



I'm still going to print out this entire thread though - such AWESOME and CREATIVE ideas!!!

Thanks a million!

 

[debster812]

C. Ann--if you go to www.familyfun.com and then click on the link to the left called 'cakefinder' there is an entire section on cool cakes, and cupcake decorations.

I am making the snake cake for DS's Birthday in June!

Great news that your DD may be home by the weekend. You still may want to 'kidnap' DGD for a day just to give your DD some much needed down time while she re-aclimates. (just a thought)