Need to Entertain Preschoolers? Here's How

Wow...you had a rough day at work. The boss is upset and that project is due in two days. You need to kick off your shoes when you get home, pour a nice glass or wine, and chill. What a great plan. Unfortunately you also have a four and a two and half year old at home so your plan is subject to change, drastically. You know how young children are. They're full of energy and love to play. The idea that your young children will let you sit and relax is a pipe dream. Unless you can somehow entertain them and keep them joyfully occupied, you don't have a chance of relaxing.

The sad thing is, you want to play with your children. You recognize that the years go by quickly and before long, you'll have moody teenagers to deal with. You need to find activities that don't require a lot of energy from you and are still interesting for children. The suggestions offered are remarkably easy and simple. Don't think that because there's not a lot of expensive equipment involved, they won't please the kids. These ideas have pleased children forever and they can be relaxing for you.

Puzzles: Go with the large 20 - 40 piece puzzles that are easy for little hands to manipulate. Even if your young child can't find which piece goes where, you can help and discuss the situation. What a pleasant experience for you and your child. Another advantage to puzzles is they engage the mind of both you and your young one.

Coloring: If your child has the coordination to hold a crayon, you have it made. Get down of the floor with them with paper or a coloring book and both of you start coloring. There's something soothing about coloring for adults. Your child will love turning the pages in the coloring book. If it is warm outside, use sidewalk chalk. Who needs paper? You have the whole world of sidewalks and driveways as your canvas. Enjoy.

Blocks: This works best if you sit next to them and build along with them. Part of the fun for children is once they have built the tower, they love pushing it over and letting it crash to the ground. This is similar to puzzles as it engages the mind. There are lots of varieties of blocks so it doesn't matter which kind you use. The key is to build and destroy.

Clay: Modeling clay has been around for years and continues to entertain youngsters. Roll up your sleeves and start the creation process. This is a great discussion activity as you are constantly asking your child what they are making and giving suggestions for other things to make. You could purchase modeling tools from a store, but there's a better idea. Dig out some old cookie cutters and other rarely used kitchen tools and see what and how they use these in their "sculpture". There's something about the texture and feel of clay that is very soothing to both you and your child.

Four ideas that require no expensive equipment, require no strain on your imagination, lets you sit down, and keeps your child engaged and fully occupied.