So I'm trying something new this week! I'm trying to balance these goals in my head, and we'll see if this routine helps me out:
Creating a time in the week to intentionally think through fresh ideas for my kiddos
Wanting to have activities so that I'm not tempted to buy more toys to keep them entertained (the struggle is real!)
Needing the activities to be prepped, because no one has time to collect all of the supplies while they're awake
Because of that, needing dedicated space for all of the materials
Having a system so that my husband and I can easily trade off who's doing the activities based on our work schedule. I don't have time to write it all out. I just want it ready for him to use with the kids!
I bought 5 of these boxes from Target, and I'm loving them! They're only $2 a piece, and the size is great. It isn't quite long enough to fit papers completely flat, but I love that it works really well as a sensory bin so that I can have multiple bins set up in a week.
So far, this system is working so well! I planned out the boxes on Sunday during nap time and prepped all of the supplies. Now, whether I'm with the kids or my husband, there are fresh activities ready to go to give the kids structured, stimulating play when they're getting antsy or bored.
Here's this week's line up of activities:
Free Play - Dinosaur Play Dough
I put away their kinetic sand gardening bin, but I kept the little pot and turned it into a volcano! Adding in just a basic scene for the dinosaurs creates so much more imaginative play for Aaron.
Free Play - Creative Play Dough
I have just a small amount of play dough because Olivia gets fixated on switching colors. We end up spending the whole time cleaning up one color before switching to the next, and it feels like I'm interacting more than she is. So I added some fun tools and accessories to encourage her to use her imagination and create! She has googly eyes to create faces, butterfly & heart gems to smush into the dough, pipe cleaners to create butterfly antennae, feathers and flowers, and all of the basic shape cutters.
Educational - Alphabet Matching
I found these wooden letters at the dollar store, and they're going to come in handy for SO many activities! This first one makes the rice sensory bin fresh. Aaron will have to search through the rice to find the letters, and as he does, he matches it to the alphabet printout. Click here to get the free printable!
Educational - Pattern Recognition & Fine Motor Skills
I love using pipe cleaners for this activity! I put this pattern sheet inside a sheet protector so that I can quickly change out what pattern Aaron needs to make. Click here for the printable! Using dry erase markers, I fill in each box with a color, and then Aaron matches the pattern by sliding the beads onto the pipe cleaner. Once he finishes my three patterns, he can even create his own patterns using the markers!
I also have letter beads for him, and he'll practice spelling out Aaron, Mommy, and Daddy on the pipe cleaners!
My fifth box I use for his weekly preschool lesson, which has been so nice! When I decide to spontaneously set up his lesson outside, it's so wonderful to just have one box to grab and move instead of several little piles.
It's been a game-changer having all of the activities prepped and contained! I'm so glad I don't have half-created projects strewn all over my kitchen counters or on my closet floor! I hope that a system like this can help you too!
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