| Do you ever get frustrated when your | | | | *Read a book |
| children don't play with certain toys in | | | | *Snack |
| their room? Do your children ever come | | | | *Computer Game |
| to you and say, "I'm bored?" | | | | *Polly Pockets |
| I came up with a fun idea that we | | | | *Lite Briteand so on. |
| implement on school holidays or | | | | The only rules are that they have to at |
| vacations. I call it "play stations." | | | | least play with the item for a few |
| For me - this idea solves two problems | | | | minutes before moving on; and they must |
| in one. | | | | pick it up completely before coming to |
| 1)It allows my children to play with | | | | me for something new. |
| toys they haven't touched in a long | | | | My girls actually ask me if they can do |
| time. | | | | "play stations" sometimes. It helps give |
| 2)It keeps them busy for a few hours. | | | | them ideas when they can't come up with |
| What I do for "play stations" is so | | | | any of their own and it shows them that |
| simple. I make a list for each child of | | | | they can play together in the same room |
| things to do or play with. I incorporate | | | | without having to play the same thing |
| crafts, chores, and even allow them to | | | | all of the time. |
| play with a sibling's toys. | | | | I give them each different lists with |
| A sample list for one of my daughters | | | | some of their favorite items, |
| might look something like this: | | | | not-so-favorite items, and sometimes a |
| *Dollhouse | | | | fun thing to do with me is included on |
| *Color a picture | | | | the list as well. |
| *Brush cat | | | | "Play Stations" has been a creative idea |
| *Barbies | | | | for our family. Give it a try and see if |
| *Play with sister's horses | | | | it works with yours, as well. |
| *Play in "play tent" | | | | |