10 Creative Ways to Keep Your Younger Kids Exploring the World Around Them

If you have preschool aged children living at home you know how 'busy' these little people tend to be. Combined with emerging independence and discovering the world around them they always are seeking new things to absorb and learn. If you are like most adults, it's hard to keep up with the boundless energy of a preschooler. Here are some simple ideas to keep things interesting and exciting with your older toddler and preschool aged kid's!

Art Projects

Beyond plain old crayons and play dough, think of creative ways for your little one's to do art. You can let them mix up shaving cream with food coloring. Or perhaps you would like to paint with flyswatters. Another fun project is to hang an old sheet on a clothesline or fence and let your kids paint the sheet. You could also get glass markers and paint your windows.

Forts

Preschooler's love forts. Whether you have play stands or make do with blankets and chairs, they won't care either way. You could also try an indoor tent or teepee. Forts are a great way to inspire and spark the imagination of young children. They love the safe womb like feel of a good fort. You may have trouble convincing them to come out!

Tea Party or Picnic

Your little one will love helping you plan and make food for a picnic or tea party. Invite all your friends (of the stuffed variety!) and make special treats just for your meal. Kid's love to help create and they will love eating the food they help make.

Water Play

You can set up a car wash in your bath tub, outdoors or even your kitchen sink. Most kids will find entertainment in a variety of utensils you can find right in your kitchen. Combine measuring cups, spoons, scoop and strainers with a bucket and water these can serve as great entertainment and fun!

Treasure Hunt

A treasure hunt is such fun! Make picture maps for your pre readers and hide treasure's for them to find ahead of time. They will love the challenge of a creative treasure hunt. You could also turn this into a scavenger hunt around your neighborhood if you are so inclined.

Summer Camp

Set up a kiddie summer camp right in your own backyard. Complete with tent, camping gear, campfire stories and s'mores you kid's won't soon forget this adventure.

Star Party

Plan a star party this summer. Find out when the next meteor shower is or just go out at night and explore the constellations. You can pop popcorn and lay out on blankets. This is fun for little one's to stay up late and mix things up in their little worlds!

Excavating Dig

You could pre arrange and prepare an excavating dig for your preschooler. They will love digging for bones or teeth. You could even use shells and small toys as well. Get creative. All you need is a big bin and a screen wide enough to lay across the top. Add some scoops and you will have hours of fun!

Rock Hounding

Purchase some inexpensive gemstones or gather fossils, interesting rocks,etc. You will need to hide them around your yard when your kid's aren't watching. let them 'discover" them. Give them a magnifying glass so they can look at them up close.

Nature Walk

A nature walk is a fun change of pace. Kid's are so curious about the world around them. Get some double sided tape and fashion sticky bracelets around their wrists before you set out. Your little one's will have great fun gathering leaves, flowers, twigs, feathers and other treasures to their bracelets. Gathering flowers and pressing them is also another fun activity or you could teach them how to make flower chains and discover animal footprints.

IN all actuality preschool aged children are rarely bored, but they love to discover their surroundings. Get creative and you will be creating wonderful memories as well as unique learning opportunities for your little one.