amma

Hoop some fabric and draw a design on it and let her sew out the design by hand. Turn it into a little wall hanging for grama and grampa :wink: Or let her draw out her face on a piece of paper and copy it onto fabric for her to sew.

Maybe applique some simple circles onto quilt blocks for a wall hanging or doll quilt.

Draw a square within a square on blocks with a water soluable pen, and let her machine sew on the lines with a decorative stitch, before sewing the blocks together.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Crayon projects are always a hit. Find an old white t-shirt. One of her dad's would be fine and let her make a nightgown out of it. Give her a big sheet of paper to draw pictures on with crayons and then iron it to the shirt.

If you are crazy ambitious, make a stepping stone for the garden. Grab a big of quick-crete and a cheapie cake pan from a dollar type store. Mix the quick-crete up and pour it in the pan. (Spray the pan heavily) Let her draw designs or make designs with pretty rocks. When it dries, pop it out and there you go.

Friendship bracelets out of embroidery floss are always a hit. There are about a zillion patterns for free on-line. Many are very easy. It's just a matter of tying knots.

Rhonda

Here's a thread I did on ideas to keep kids busy.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-31823-1.htm

You can start a story say There was alittle girl whose name was ------(blank for child to fill in)who decided to take a walk and she went down the sidewalk and she saw a -------- up in the air. As the ------- went by she heard a --------etc and let the child use her imagination to creat the story with you.


I sing songs like twinkle twinkle little star or do finger plays anything you know or look up on the computer. You can find all kinds of nursery rhymes online. I forgot so many lyrics I had to look some up!

This is one of my grands favorites

Going on a Bear Hunt

Sit with child. Slap knees in rhythm and chant

Going on a bear hunt bear hunt bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt to see what we can see

(Shade eyes with hand and look out )
I see ....a Tree! A BIG tree! Can't go around it
Can't go through it(knock on it to show how hard it is)
so we have to climb it!!
(make climbing motions)
but don't knock the birdies out of the tree!! Hear the squirrels chattering?
(make going down the tree motions)

Ok Going on a bear hunt bear hunt bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt to see what we can see!
(slapping knees in rhythm with the words)

Oh look what do I see? I see something black
and ooey and gooey and it is ....MUD!!
It's too long to go around and to wide to jump over
so we have to go through it!
(cup hands and clap cupped hands to make a popping sound)
Ok we're on the other side! Did you get any mud on your shoes?
(inspect bare feet or shoes!)

OK Going on a bear hunt bear hunt bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt to see what we can see!

Oh look what do I see? It is tall and wavy!
It's a wheat field! Can't go around it and
can't go over it -
We have to go through it!
(rub hands together as if parting the wheat)
Watch out don't get lost!!

OK Going on a bear hunt bear hunt bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt to see what we can see!

I see something long(open arms wide to show how long)
and wide! It's a RIVER!!
Can't go around it and can't jump over it
We have to swim it!!
(make swimming motions) Watch out for the crocodiles!
(arms together and smack hands together like a crocodile's snapping mouth)
Can you doggie paddle? (motions of doggie paddling)
Watch out the fishies don't nibble your toes!(tickle toes)

OK Going on a bear hunt bear hunt bear hunt
Going on a bear hunt to see what we can see!

I see something big and tall!! It's a mountain!!
We have to climb it! (make climbing motions)

I see a cave!!!! Shhhh we have to tiptoe
(using fingers tiptoe down your legs)

(In an excited voice)
I see teeth!!-- I see eyes!!
I see a BEAR!!!! Run!!!!

Slapping knees fast!!!!(no sing song)

Through the river!!! Hurry Hurry!!!

Slapping knees fast!!!

Through the wheatfield!!!!!

Slapping knees fast!!!!

Through the mug puddle!!!!

Slapping knees fast!!!

Up the tree!!!! Hurry hurry!!! Here comes the bear!!!

In the house! Lock all the windows(motion of locking)
Lock the door!!! and slide under the bed!(Slide one hand down the other arm and hand!)

Whew! We're safe!! The bear went back to his nap!!
some kids want to take a picture of the bear!

sharon b

Some GREAT suggestions :thumbup: THANKS ... Off to Walmart to get some supplies :lol:

When we went to get lunch we drove past a temp sign and it is only 60 out..... no wonder I was so cold playing with the hose earlier :shock:

Oh and I forgot we had already colored a green frog ... by the time mom gets here I will need a nap 8-)

Rhonda

Most kids love to imitate. Sit down and clap your hands. Pat your head. Encourage her to imitate you. Change the motion quickly and see if she will follow.
Stand on one leg.
Pat your tummy
wiggle your nose
shake your hands or head
etc!


Here is another one we did with the 3-5 yr olds.

Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Turn around.(turn around)
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Touch the ground.(touch the ground)

Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Go upstairs.(walk up the stairs)
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Say your prayers.(hands folded in prayer)
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Turn out the light.(pull light chain)
Teddy bear, teddy bear,
Say good night.


And one more Jack in the Box

Crouch down on your heels with the child imitating you

Say: Jack in the Box Jack in the box Jack in the Box
(Repeat as often as you want) Jack out of the box!(jump up)

Kids love this one.

Shibori

got any old magazines around? if you have safety scissors, let her cut out pictures and make a mural while you rest :)

countrymaid

safety scissors, a magazine and a pop bottle. My dd would sit for hours stuffing little pieces in the top of the bottle.

Get 5# of cornmeal, a big bowl and you have an indoor sandbox. It's dusty but easy to clean up. When it's warmer it can all go on the porch.

craftybear

Wow, you will be exhausted tonight.

Can you teach her to sew?

raptureready

You can always take the thread and bobbin out of your machine and let her sew around designs that you and she make. Simple ones like diamonds, circles, spirals, squares, triangles, etc. Notebook paper is good too, then she can learn to sew a straight line.

Build take some of your quilts, lay them over your table and build a tent.

Have a tea party

play dress up

When my DD was that age she loved to help. Let her help do some laundry and fold the washcloths.

Give her some scissors and some old fabric with designs and let her cut them out. If you put some fusing on them first then you could applique them onto a doll quilt for her.

Teach her to shop at the local LQS

sharon b

I am wiped out... had a problem with the crayon t-shirt :cry: We come home she colored the pic , I tried to iron it on the t-shirt and NOTHING :hunf: Held the iron on the page for a long time... the wax came thru the back of the page but nothing on the shirt . She was SO disappointed and so was I .

So will ask around a bit more about the coloring pic on a t-shirt to try and work out the kinks . Also for tomorrow we have a weaving loom for pot holders, some kind of beads that snap together you can put them together and take them apart, etc... make necklaces , rings, bracelets., and plastic canvas sheets and needles to work on needle point. I have LOTS of yarn for that.

THANKS for all the suggestions , one day down only 2 more to go :shock: