Ideas for wearing kids out indoors!

[cjcouple]

Well if that's not enough stuff I don't know what to tell ya Haha

I don't have nearly that much stuff/activities and have never had an issue with pent up energy. If they seemed to be a bit stir crazy at times we headed outside.

[quesyrah]

Nov 12, 2015 10:33:56 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Well if that's not enough stuff I don't know what to tell ya Haha

I don't have nearly that much stuff/activities and have never had an issue with pent up energy. If they seemed to be a bit stir crazy at times we headed outside.

I was going to say the same thing. That will keep my kids entertained for days

[quesyrah]

Nov 12, 2015 10:33:56 GMT -5 cjcouple said:

Well if that's not enough stuff I don't know what to tell ya Haha

I don't have nearly that much stuff/activities and have never had an issue with pent up energy. If they seemed to be a bit stir crazy at times we headed outside.

I was going to say the same thing. That will keep my kids entertained for days

[dizzycooks]

Bundle up and go outside. Our kids go out at twice a day at daycare until its less than 10 degrees. I would make sure you're getting a stretch of outdoor time in daily. Also, what about adding some fine motor activities that require focus? High energy is great, but sometimes it can be wrangled by focusing on a task. Beading, color by number, sorting, clay, lacing, etc.

[lala]

Yea, that's more than we have, too. Still go outside, though.

[usm]

Nov 12, 2015 11:25:44 GMT -5 dizzycooks said:

Bundle up and go outside. Our kids go out at twice a day at daycare until its less than 10 degrees. I would make sure you're getting a stretch of outdoor time in daily. Also, what about adding some fine motor activities that require focus? High energy is great, but sometimes it can be wrangled by focusing on a task. Beading, color by number, sorting, clay, lacing, etc.

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This is a great suggestion. If he isnt worn out from that maybe wear him out by making him work harder to do things. My high energy kid struggles with sitting and completing tasks so doing play dough or fine motor stuff is requires energy for sitting and focusing.

We play WII sports and we all move around with that.

[Deleted]

Also you can make up a scavenger hunt with clues or make an obstacle course (go under the chair, over the pile of pillows, step on each sock on the floor etc)

[Kcthepouchh8r]

Join a Y with a pool? Swimming is good for both my low energy and high energy kids.

[nicolewi]

Other than KC's pool idea, I don't have much to add! Sounds like you mostly have it covered, really. My DS is really good about playing outside even in winter. Still rides bikes, etc, if the driveway is clear of snow and ice. Likes to play with construction machines in the snow. The girls are less excited about the winter outdoor play.

[jensriot]

Can you get some larger moving boxes? My kids will spend days coloring and creating trains, spaceships, houses out of boxes.

[cabbagecabbage]

These all sound great, especially big boxes (for whatever reason they're so exciting) and playing outside. My nephew is very sensory seeking and high energy. He spends a few hours a day outside almost all winter. He's a tiny thing and survives Chicago weather in a snowsuit.

My only new suggestion is to check out your park district catalogue or local towns. Ours offers cooking classes, music, art events, and other things for very reasonable prices. I can't afford many studio classes but the park district has great prices.

[Deleted]

I'm struggling right now too, with the in-between weather. I'm looking forward to snow because at least then they can dress for it, and it snow gives them a lot to do. Right now it's cold and rainy, so they can't really play long because they're wet and then freezing. So I feel your pain!

Preschool has really saved my bacon for DS. But I rotate toys, and I try to rotate what room we play in throughout the day. My kids are pretty young (almost 4 and 20 months) so it's hard to find something for them to do together, but they both love when we play on my bed. They build pillow forts, bounce around and get some crazies out. (With me there).

Bowling with a cheap plastic bowling set has also been great. We set it up in the hall, and they run after pins and set them up, etc.

DS also loves to bake, which is a nice, warm activity for a cold day. I sometimes give DD a "mixture" to stir in her chair while DS helps me.

[Deleted]

Sometimes I back the cars out of the garage and let them ride their bikes around/do chalk/whatever.