Joan

* Paint with Q tips and food coloring.

*Paint with real brushes on the sidewalk, buckets of plain water, they will love it!

*make your own pizzas, use English muffins for the crusts, kids add the toppings they like

*play flashlight tag--turn all the lights out, you have a flashlight you flash on the ceiling (use a red marker to color the lense), the kids take turns chasing you with their flashlight--guaranteed to be a winner

*get a big quilt or blanket, each adult hold the ends and give them rides, "sing rock a bye baby". (hope they aren't too heavy)

*use different kinds of maracaroni and make collages, glue to meat trays or pieces of stiff cardboard

*make an obstacle course outside, use your imagination, balance on the curb, jump over a puddle, etc.

*sidewalk chalk from the dollar store (make a road for cars or let them free draw.....)

I'll think of some more if that isn't enough
(get books from the library for reading....)

hazeljane

Check out the directions to make a fabric bowl on Moda Bake Shop. Leftover fabric strips and mod podge. And they'll have something they MADE to take home.

JanetM

I remember Colorforms!!! I have seen them offered in catalogs for $40+.

mollymct

I remember Colorforms! I haven't thought of them in YEARS. Too late to get some now, but those were great entertainment!

Thanks to each of you! I appreciate the suggestions so much. Did a little shopping to accumulate a little stash of fun stuff. I don't have kids (my visitors are my best friend's 2 yo and 4 yo) and have no toys from my childhood, so I'm starting from scratch!! (I do have paint and paintbrushes, fabric, yarn--can't wait till I can teach someone to knit!!)

It's going to be fun!

sewcrafty

What about some homemade playdoh or slime? Slime only if they're older though. :lol: In a lot of cookbooks in the back there's a kid section with recipes to do with them. The Crayola site is another idea, maybe make things for the 4th with them for decorating.

ilovequilts

*like*

hahahahaha

RugosaB

My kids were very 'busy' so one winter day when they couldn't go outside I gave them a big ball of yarn and they made a spiderweb in the living room and dinig room. They spent hours winding it in and around all the furniture, the chair backs, just everywhere. When they were done we didn't want to remove it, but we did, but only after we took a picture with them and their creation.

KathyAire

I will be repeating that suggestion to several people.

Hobbyhorse1027

Water balloons

JACRN

All the suggestions were great. my granddaughter will set for hours with art and craft stuff.