Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Inexpensive Ways to Keep Your Kids Busy

If you've got kids, you know that they always want to have something to do or you're going to hear a chorus of "I'm bored!" multiple times a day. And, if you're like me, you don't want to have to be going and doing and spending lots of money just to keep the kids entertained - though I may be more likely to do that with the grandkids than I ever was with my own kids. It's still a good idea to have some ideas for keeping kids entertained without spending a lot of money.

ColoringHere are a few of those ideas:

  • Coloring Books - One form of entertainment that has proven its worth for decades is the ageless coloring book. Thick coloring books can fill an afternoon with fun. The best part is that they can be purchased from almost anywhere-- from the local dollar store (my favorite!) to online coloring book publishers. There's always something for every interest. From princess pages to barnyard animals, there is sure to be something that every kid can enjoy, no matter their age or interests.
      
  • Scavenger Hunt - If parents have a little more time to be involved with setting up something fun to do, they can try their hands at a scavenger hunt. This activity is entirely free! There are a couple of ways that parents can set up a scavenger hunt. One way is to hide items around the house or outside, make a list, and have the children look for them. Another, less energy-intense way, is to make a list (or find one online) of items that can be easily found outside. This way, no set up is required!
      
  • Card Games - A deck of cards is extremely cheap and dozens of games can be played with one! So long as your children are old enough to understand rules, a deck of cards can fill an afternoon with fun. Try teaching little kids games like War or Go Fish. Older kids can have fun with Poker or Hearts.
Card game
These are just a few examples of games that parents can use to entertain their children for up to hours at a time. Try your hand at one of these activities the next time your children complain of boredom!

And, if these don't work, chores are always an option. You'll either get some work done around the house, or your kids will suddenly find something to do all on their own.