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