It’s no secret that I’m terrible at crafts. Basically, I don’t even try. My husband likes to remind me that I have the finger dexterity of Kermit the Frog.
So what’s the logical thing to do when a Breakfast TV producer asks if you can do a four-minute demo of four activities that kids can do on a snowy day?
You say yes.
When I told Vivian that I was going to be on TV showing parents how to keep kids busy, she asked, “Do you even know anything about that?”
Nothing like being busted by an eight year old.
I ignored her and researched some activities that met my criteria:
- readily available materials (no glitter)
- easy to set up (no glitter)
- easy to clean up (no glitter)
- possible to drink a cup of tea (or a glass of wine) while your children do them independently.
If you want to watch the piece, click the photo below to be taken to the video.
Then tell me:
Do you have opposable thumbs?
Are you crafty?
What’s your go-to activity to keep kids busy?
I’ve done a couple of bits like this (if you remember the Things even accompanied me on a couple) It’s fun, but they always want you to do something unexpected. Sadly the video isn’t available in the UK. Glad you had fun……
I have seen your TV appearance with the Things. Historic!
I’m not very crafty, unless you’re talking about being cunning and devious. Then I’m extremely crafty!!! *evil laugh*
Seriously though, I couldn’t make something cute if my life depended on it. I think the masking tape race track rocks!
I think I’m crafty like you are crafty. I highly recommend the masking tape track. I could have drunk an entire bottle of wine and had a hangover in the time my kids played with it.
I love all of these great ideas! I don’t have kids myself, but have many friends with whom I will be sharing these… Love the bingo one best – especially since it can be completely tailored to different age groups.
It’s great. As soon as I did this version, my twins raced up and down the stairs 25x each.
I love your masking tape racetrack. I used to do this with my kids. In summer we’d do a chalk one on the patio.
My kids love this game they call “Crash”. They make block towers and then throw (or roll) stuff at them to knock them down. It’s bowling and building all in one game. Not really crafty per se, but I count building towers under the craft category.
I love “crash”. Awesome. It’s like a Chicken-and-an-Egg game: no end, no beginning. OK. I think I seriously messed up that metaphor.
What’s the word for the opposite of crafty? That’s me.
I agree. That’s why I only do crafts that (a) take me less than 5 min and (b) give me about 5 hours of freedom.
You SO rocked this. And I love your haircut. I also envy your ability to get right down on the floor like that. My knees have not allowed that kind of flexibility for. . . oh, about the last 30 years or so.:>(
Thanks, D. It helped my pants had some stretch in them….
Wow, Leanne, you’re a professional! You look so stylish and are so confident. Way to go, my friend! I’m crafty, and if I didn’t know from all the things you’ve said about not being crafty, I wouldn’t have guessed it by watching you on TV. You rock!
Thanks, Kim! Necessity is the mommy of invention…
You’re a star! And you also gave me some great ideas to put into use with the grandkids. Thanks!
Enjoy keeping ’em busy. 🙂
I love the things your kids say!
I’m not particularly crafty, but I make up for that with a really exceptional level of laziness.
Thanks, M. I’m only crafty when it buys me some lazy time, so I hear ya.
This is a WOW, Leanne! Seriously, well done. Very poised and confident!
Thanks, J. Perhaps all those years in front of teenagers have paid off.
Fabulous! I remember getting THOSE looks from uber-crafty moms who carved beautiful pumpkins, made gingerbread houses, did crayon wreaths, and all kinds of other Pinterest-worthy crafts year-round. Meanwhile, I was thrilled with myself for taking out construction paper and the watercolor paints every few months. Here’s my favorite thing, though: Boxes. Large & small empty boxes, scissors, tape, and markers provided oodles of fun as the kids made cars, forts, houses, etc.
Boxes. Remind me to buy a fridge this weekend.
Awesome stuff, Leanne! You were great on the show! I can say… I knew you when…
Ha. You knew me when I had a breakdown in Surrey that first year… 😉
I think you did just fine, Leanne. You’re a natural!
Thanks, R!
Great video! And I LOVE the hair. Super cute do!
And I hear you about the crafting. I soooo don’t craft. I really like the scavenger hunt idea, though. As long as it takes them a super long time to do/find whatever it is. Mama needs her wine drinking time, yo.
You could add “leave Mommy alone for 20 minutes” as an item…
That was great! I’m going to employ some of these ideas for my little ones! “It really takes self-publishing to the diaper set” was my absolute favorite line of the piece.
Thanks, Rivki. Good luck! May you get to drink your coffee while it’s still hot!
Great ideas! My mother used to put seasonal stickers around the house leading us from one room to another until we found the hidden cereal box. For example, four leaf clover stickers with Lucky Charms Cereal. This would take us a long time and I always thought she was so doing it as a special treat for us until she told me recently she did it for a few extra minutes of sleep.