Summer Activities For Wide Range of Children

[Madi100]

I'm going to go stay with my sister for a week and watch her kids while her sitter is gone. I am taking my two children with and will also have my niece. That is a total of six children. There ages are:

2,3,6,7,9,12

The nine year old has Down's and sadly not a lot is expected of her. She watches tv a lot of the time. Just this last weekend when the rest of the kids were outside, she was allowed to be inside and do her own thing, which is just sitting if she's not watching tv.

I figured if I plan activities, time will go much smoother. I'm up for anything, but need stuff that is appropriate for all those ages. Someone else posted the craft idea of the jewels on the crowns, and that is a cute idea. These don't need to be craft ideas, but can be any organized activity. Thanks.

 

[Trish Bessette]

Here are some ideas:

Tye die pillow cases - you can buy spray tie dye which is very easy and doesn't make a mess.

Water balloon toss - depending on the weather, kids of any age LOVE water balloons

The 6,7 & 12 year old can make up a small play. Have dress up clothes and have them work together to make a scene. Kids love this.

Don't know if you would have time but it may be cute to buy a few disposable cameras, have the kids take pictures of whatever they want the first few days. Get it developed at a one hour photo shop (get doubles) and then at the end of the week have them make a fun scrapbook. Again, I don't know what you have for supplies or moneywise.

Each day (if okay with your sister and you) have a movie time.....maybe after lunch which is a good time to rest. Pop some popcorn put in a "disney" movie

Always good to take a walk....check out nature

Hope these ideas help!

 

[Parkhopper]

Can you see if there is a local gymnastics gym? You can keep kids of ALL ages busy there!

 

[Madi100]

Thanks for the ideas. You've given me some really good ones. The only bad thing with doing any craft is that my brother in law is a pain in the butt sometimes and tends to not like messes. So, he'd rather an activity not get done if it means it will be messy. Poop on him I also need to think of an idea for Father's Day. I thought it'd be a good time to make a Father's Day craft with them.

 

[klmklm]

This makes "stained glass" pictures. Get clear report covers (or recycle cellophane from toy packages). Get some coloring book pages. Tape the cellophane to the coloring page. Use permanent markers. Trace the picture in black. Take the cellophane off the coloring book page. Turn it over and tape it to a blank sheet of paper. The children can then use colored permanent markers to color the picture.
Turning it over keeps the black lines from getting smeared by the colored markers.
This is not too messy, just make sure to cover the table and make them wear old clothes.

Here is another one which the older children can prepare for the younger ones.
Parent does this: Use manilla file folders. Cut a large hole in one side to make a window. Tape or glue a sheet of typing paper to the window side.
Older children do this: Use an extra folder and cut out some fish shapes. Glue these inside the folder, to the cardboard side. Fold the folder so the window with the paper covers up the fish. Tape it shut all around.
Younger children do this: Use crayons to scribble or rub on the typing paper, until they "catch" all the fish.