What can I do with my 5 kids on the weekend?

carol_b — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 07:01:53 GMT

I have five children under the age of 9, and on Saturdays, when my husband is working, we are stuck in the house because of weather and finances. I want to do stuff together, but there is only one of me and five of them. I would like to find a way to entertain all of them because I don't want them in front of the television or computer all day. Any advice?

A mother once told me that when her kids ...

AdviceMama — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 07:10:00 GMT

A mother once told me that when her kids complained that they were bored, she would respond by saying, "Do I look like an entertainment center to you?" (In "the olden days," this was the cabinet that held the TV and stereo, which have largely been replaced by laptops and iPods.)

With the infinite offerings of television and computer in today's world, it can be challenging to pry kids off the screen and convince them that fun doesn't require electricity -- or parental involvement! Here's my advice:

Create a "What can I do?" box with your kids. Encourage them to brainstorm as many ideas as possible on slips of paper that they drop into the box. If they come to you because they don't have anything to do, invite them to reach into the box for an idea! Here are some possibilities:

"Take Turn" stories, where each sibling writes two sentences of a story and then passes it on
Marbles
Make sock puppets
Living room obstacle course
Chair tents
Homemade board game
Puppet show
Theatrical performance
Playing the recorder
Collage from magazine pictures
Bean collage
Clay or playdough sculptures
Finger painting in the bathtub
Beading
Make juice popsicles

Don't be afraid of your children whining about "being bored." There's nothing wrong with kids wandering aimlessly around the house, as long as they aren't allowed to get into trouble. Once they discover you aren't always available to liven things up, they'll tap into their natural stores of creativity.

Clarify when your children will and will not have access to their electronic toys. Be prepared for angry complaints that "it's not fair!" Be that Captain of the Ship that I talk about, and remain lovingly firm. If your kids know when you are available to play with them, and when they're on their own, they'll soon figure out how to occupy themselves.

In the long run, helping children learn to entertain themselves gives them the chance to create the kind of fun that doesn't come with a plug. Be patient, and your efforts will undoubtedly pay off.

Yours in parenting support,
AdviceMama

Watch my video for even more tips on how to get your kids to entertain themselves.

Set up a place with paper (recycled if possible ...

yagui — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:21:54 GMT

set up a place with paper (recycled if possible) and art supplies (be sure its ok to mess up in that place, not the living room of course)

write down in little pieces of paper a few simple art projects (water colors, paint by number, seasonal themes etc) and have each child pick a piece of paper and find their assignment

let them play-paint! encourage imagination, even relating to their favorite tv characters (you can download drawings to color from most cartoon websites), while using their hands and brains ....set some nice music and play musical chairs in between painting...keeps them occupied! good luck!

Take the children to the nearest school which has ...

cvyr — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:48:50 GMT

take the children to the nearest school which has a playground. then let them go wild. even join them on the over head bars and down the slide. Make sure that you have packed juice,water, crackers, fruit, sandwiches, any thing that they can eat and still run to play , without hurting themselves with it.

Teach the kids to all have some type of hobby ...

mamabear — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 23:52:49 GMT

teach the kids to all have some type of hobby. sewing, crocheting or knitting, or painting. reading also is sort of a hobby. volley ball is a good family game, basket ball and base ball are also family games and cheap to play. hoola hoops and jump rope. boardd games, bike rides ands going for a walk, better yet is there trails to walk on in the woods near you(safe ones) ice skating and sledding. rollerblades also. small plays made after a movie? have the children help you clean in a fun way. let them help re paint a room . washing the family car and vaccuming it out too is something that smaller kids like to do. playing in the garden and weeding them also is fun to them. not each child will have the same likes as the rest of them. nurture each one in their own liking...........

In the winter months, board games are always fun ...

mike — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 11:45:27 GMT

in the winter months, board games are always fun. we also play family games no the xbox, or listen to music and dance together- which can count as exercise. hide and seek is a big winner too. in the summer it's much easier..sprinklers, car wash, yard work, are all good family activities.

As a mom of five myself, here are things my kids ...

Vicky — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 22:55:49 GMT

As a mom of five myself, here are things my kids liked to do:

build forts out of furniture and sheets
puppet shows where we made the puppets
help mom cook ( I would usually pre-cook for the entire week)
make decorated cards to send relatives
clean the tub (although they thought they were painting the tub walls with colored bubbles while bathing ...)
have a dance-a-thon or sing-a-thon
with Redbox, you could do a theme $1 movie, maybe a learning-oriented one, and make the whole day about __________ (weather, Italy, etc) including the meal and decorations ... it's in front of TV but at least it's learning

With warmer weather:

walk to the park about 4 blocks away, play and have small picnic
go to middle school and play on their outdoor basketball court
go to high school and walk on their rubber track
local museums, especially on free days, kids never even cared how big or great the museum was
taking leftover bread and going to the lake to feed the ducks, also watch frogs and turtles and collect leaves or rocks

I grew up with five siblings. I can assure you ...

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:48:18 GMT

I grew up with five siblings. I can assure you that there were times when we were "bored," but it was neither a terrible thing nor was it my mother's fault. Fortunately in large families there are always playmates available. They could probably come up with some sort of make-believe game on their own, but here's some of our favorite things to do, after Saturday chores were done:

Bake bread for the week. Or, bake bread and eat it or deliver to neighbors/relatives/someone in need of a smile. Also works for baking anything else.

Have Saturday morning projects: fix a shelf, paint a room, etc. Plan one thing each week that needs to get done, and do it! Teach the little kids how to help out

Plan simple science experiments. Check out a book full of them at the library. Most require simple household items, and they're fun.

Family band. If the older kids play the piano or another instrument, that's great. If not, pull out the pots and pans, make a wax-paper and comb kazoo, put some beans in a jar for a shaker and belt out your favorite songs. Or write a song.

Scavenger hunts

This sounds lame, but we also loved to match socks. Every once in a while, Mom would pull out this huge pillowcase of single socks, and we'd go through and find all the pairs. We'd always try to find the most matches

Or things your kids could do themselves, if you need a break:

Put on a play (we'd either write our own or put on 'Little Red Riding Hood' or something. We'd also put on circuses all the time, but that's better for the outdoors)

Play school or house. We'd sometimes play "The Price is Right" (our favorite TV show) We even built the wheel to spin and plinko out of cardboard

Make our own art museum-- we'd pull out our crayons and modeling clay and whatever else and each make several pieces of art to display. Sometimes an older sibling would "judge" and give awards for most creative, best use of the color blue, etc.

Build blanket forts

Make things out of leftover cardboard boxes. Especially fun if you have really big cardboard boxes

Play with wooden blocks-- we'd make ramps to race toy cars down, or have contests of who could build the coolest or highest tower

Also, you could always set up playdates with another family. Invite the whole gang over, rather than just an individual child, so that there is still family bonding time, and come up with a large group game or just let the kids have fun

Age appropriate chores with a fun reward system ...

Nina — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 22:53:03 GMT

Age appropriate chores with a fun reward system and praise for effort. Start early, or you will end up with teens who will not want to lift a finger.

I've been there, with five kids. My husband ...

parris2189 — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 16:33:37 GMT

I've been there, with five kids. My husband worked a lot of long hours and I was a stay home mom. I learn crocheting, and so did my kids, we kind of learned together, three boys and two girls. I kind of learned first and after school, nights and weekends we all got together and did a lot of crocheing, I have a son 46 years old now, and he and his wife does crouching, he does nice things, and one daughter learned to knit, but I didn't get there. We played board games, cards and domino's, and stay do about one time a week, with the two sons still living near. Rook cardsand Domino's is our special today. My kids loved reading and my husband had a book stuck in his nose every day. My kids learn to cook and do house work, even the boys are good cooks today. I kept my children at home and kind of opened our doors to their friends. I had to know where my kids was and what they was doing most of the time, 3 out of 5 played base ball at school and the team at church, one child went into music, she enjoyed playing music, and different instuerments, kept her busy. With my kids and friend in the house every day, I had all of them help with cooking, washing dishes and house work. We took in 2 other boys, that was the same age of two of my boys, They got along well, those two boys was treating as our own for about eight year. My being at home with the kids, was the best thing I ever done. Three of my children was in their teens before I took an out side job, and they helped with the two younger one and helped with the house work. We all enjoyed it together. When a kid says "I'm bored." Say " lets clean this closed, or clean out draws, come I need your help to cook, or help me , and they seen to come back to life thinking their help is so needed. It does work, I've been there.

Friday evenings prepare dinner and you and the ...

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:15:15 GMT

Friday evenings prepare dinner and you and the children be ready to eat when the husband arrive. After the meal team up and get the kitchen cleaned up then TOGETHER read your scriptures ,listen to music ,snack and go to bed Sat take nature walks or if possible go to the public market ,get ready for Sunday,(do Sun.meal ,get attire together take 30min for self ,then give 30min to your spouse for self,check school children work done or to be done. Sunday make Mondays lunch assign one child to another for asst in small things. I bet this will work. Try it!

I too have 5 kids and when they come to me with I ...

Anonymous — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:13:29 GMT

I too have 5 kids and when they come to me with I am bored. I simply tell them to find something that we can all do together. I have 3 girls and 2 boys. Frequently they all play barbies or legos or trucks or petshops together. In our house there are no "girl" or "boy" toys.

When you want an adult inspired activity here are some of the things we have done:

Movie marathon (we pick a movie series and watch the whole series, popcorn and movie theatre style treats included)

Theme dinner night (for example mexican, chinese, itilian we search online for a recipie we would like to try then we make place mats, pinaiata, desert, the whole shebang (even chopsticks on china night))

we have indoor and outdoor races (inside its who can do thier chore the fastest, outdoors its more like track n field day)

We have a family scrapbook, we all do pages fort he book

I have one daughter that like to write so she writes a "play" and the other 4 are the actors

we have made kits to fly

we write letter to soldiers in Iraq and Afganistan

we take the dogs for walks

we use one of my workout videos (the kids love the dance ones)

we have done trash pick up on the side of the road

we have entered some local races as a family (breast cancer 5K's, MS walks, MD races, etc. that kind of thing a lot of your local races will have kids races too)

When truly bored in the summer we set up lemonade stands in our yard, we also do boy scouts and girl scouts so when they get on my nerves we sit down and work on a badge. Its surprising how many of the projects that can be done together and each sex gets credit for their activity and gets a badge that much sooner.

I hope some of these help. When my kids come whining to me repeatedly that they are bored my stock answer is find something to do or I will find something for you to do (this is when they find a sibling to play with).

Five, huh? Well you have a good kickball game with ...

Kel — Sun, 08 May 2011 21:29:35 GMT

Five, huh? Well you have a good kickball game with a pitcher and 2 on each team...if babies are involved, you could hold the baby "helping" them kick the ball and running with them.The kids would LOVE it and you'd laugh and get outdoors together.Or a used nerf basketball hoop and have everyone play HORSE...you "helping" any babies again.You can get everyone squirt guns and get in swim suits, get out the baby pool and have a beach day in your yard.Kids love to plant gardens,even in pots.Playgrounds are nice esp. if there are skate parks or basketball hoops around for the older kids. Have fun...what did YOU like to do as a kid? Make wash time fun time with a couple balloons or squirt guns,too!

Crafts work great for boys or girls-save pie tins ...

elder mom — Mon, 09 May 2011 05:41:44 GMT

Crafts work great for boys or girls-save pie tins, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, plastic bread bags, old clothes,and stuff from outside-leaves,shells,stones,nuts,etc. Think about making small bins of each w. some glues(according to ages)paints,glitter,twine,tape etc. make it a contest each week that one who wins (the vote of the kids-not you) goes for ice cream by themselves, or a milk shake-some treat w. just hte 2 of you. (make sure its one you also like). Dont worry about the mess- they can share cleanup duties- and all should walk to the library and to the park too-----lots of good family times are free. Save $ by getting a few things every time you go to the store-or dollar store- tie dye tee shirts w. food dye for example. Imagination-make the fun part of what they will do a contest-too- I have 5 boys-no tv on school nites cept for half hour- reading was great pasttime.

Based on my experience in the dating world, the ...

Anonymous — Wed, 18 May 2011 18:58:10 GMT

Based on my experience in the dating world, the best thing to do with your 5 kids on the weekend is to get divorced. Then your HUSBAND will have them every weekend. He, in turn, will find a girlfriend, who will then be surprised to find that she is expected to babysit the kids every weekend while he plays golf. Problem solved. (Well, for everyone except the girlfriend. Who, one hopes, has experience in day care or teaching and can control 5 kids....)

Check out the artful parent. many low cost or no cost crafts and lots of other links to other sites with the same.

Carrie Dunn — Fri, 27 May 2011 04:27:26 GMT

check out the artful parent. many low cost or no cost crafts and lots of other links to other sites with the same.

Personally, I would pack a lunch, take them to the ...

Grandma — Tue, 31 May 2011 15:56:29 GMT

Personally, I would pack a lunch, take them to the park or playground and play ball with them, go walking with them. Do fun stuff, maybe finances is a hindrances, but buy some sandwich meat and enjoy your children. Being stuck in the house is no joy. And anyway, it's getting warmer and you don't need to worry about coats and boots, put on some flip, flop shoes and go for it. Swimming pools are free for the summer. And after a full day of fun with the kids, put them to bed and have a relaxing bath for you and sleep well. You deserve it. And don't forget to keep them in Sunday School on Sundays, You'll like that too, it's fun. I always enjoy praising God.

Sports, get your kids involved in any sport they ...

Grace — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 16:29:07 GMT

SPORTS, GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED IN ANY SPORT THEY WANT TO. MY GIRLS DID CHEER, BASEBALL AND SOCCER. THE BOYS DID WRESTLING, BASEBALL, SOCCER. FOOTBALL, THEY ALL STARTED VERY YOUNG AND STILL DO SPORTS. NOW I TAKE MY GRANDKIDS TO THEIR SPORTING EVENTS. I ALSO TOOK THEM FISHING AND HIKING, PICNICS AT THE PARK. AT ONE POINT I HAD CHILDREN THE SAME TIME MY OLDEST DAUGHTER DID. WE PUT BABIES IN STROLLERS AND EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING MOMS PUT ROLLER SKATES ON AND SKATED IN THE PARK. I HAD SIX CHILDREN AND I KNOW IT IS TIRING BUT WELL WORTH IT WHEN THEY ARE GROWN. RAINING DAYS WE WATCHED MOVIES, MADE COOKIES OR COOKED SOMETHING. KIDS ARE AWESOME.

If you honestly have to asked this question AFTER ...

Anonymous — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:32:11 GMT

If you honestly have to asked this question AFTER giving birth to 5 children, then my advice is to above all else....remember this moment the next time you have sex without protection!

Pack up lunch and head to the park. Collect bugs ...

Karen — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:04:39 GMT

Pack up lunch and head to the park. Collect bugs or leaves, or just sit and read a book in the shade. Children can learn about nature and you can keep them in sight if you set the boundries . Play Simon says..... green light red light, or eye spy with my little eyes. All these memories are free and the kids will look forward to the next trip, maybe to the beach.GOODLUCK!!!

Play laser tag!!!

James Norman Taylor-Shaw — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 04:39:22 GMT

Play laser tag!!!

I'm all about free. Currently, (google this) many ...

rochesternative — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 01:23:39 GMT

I'm all about free.

Currently, (google this) many areas are offering bowling free for kids. I got a deal through kidsbowlfree.com, they get two games a day all summer long.

Parks: free and they have exercise. Have the older 1 or two cut out letters from boxes you recycle then hide them on the playground for the younger ones to find.

Playdough. You can make it. cheap. my favorite mix is just flour, water, oil and cream of tartar

Chalk. Buy at dollar store. Or make it from plaster of paris, heavy amounts of paint/food coloring and a toliet paper tube (pour in let it get hard, then peel away tube)

magnifiying glasses. (again, dollar store) Have them search out bugs outside and draw pictures

scissors. Especially for the 3-6 crowd, let them go to town on the lawn. Trims the lawn, practices cutting skills

Have your kids learn a new skill: jumprope, hopscotch, climb a tree,

Tye-dye. Easy. Rit Dye, hot water, salt and old clothes. I also use squirt bottles for more direct aim (ketchup or mustard bottles work great)

A lot of theaters have free or sharply reduced movies 1 day a week.

Hide pennies in an area you want cleaned

All the other ideas listed are great.

Subscribe to Family Fun Magazine - it will save ...

Susan — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:54:01 GMT

Subscribe to Family Fun Magazine - it will save your sanity! My kids are grown so I no longer subscribe, but if I found an issue at a doctor's office, the library, etc. I'd still read it cover to cover.

I also recommend you watch "19 Kids and Counting ...

Susan — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 09:02:36 GMT

I also recommend you watch "19 Kids and Counting" to get some ideas. I am amazed at how smoothly their household runs. Anything can be turned into a game with little kids - sorting clothes, dusting, vacuuming, window washing, etc. What matters is if you have patience so that your kids learn to do things themselves, and to encourage their efforts even when the results will not be as good as if you had done the job yourself. Putting on "dance" music during chores is fun, and putting on a timer, for 15 or 30 minutes also helps. After some work, time for some play!

If you have simple flour and salt-you can make ...

Rochelle — Fri, 15 Jul 2011 21:04:51 GMT

If you have simple flour and salt-you can make salt dough items....its VERY addictive so watch out.

1 cup flour 1 cup salt work enough water in to make a wonderful clay type substance.....you can use cookie cutters or roll it out like dough-make teddy bears and all kinds of decor things...some will be good enough to sell on ebay....after you make some "dough" items bake at 3.25 degrees till hard.Makes great christmas ornaments, teacher gifts,functional items...I wish I could be there to help! Its a blast!

Take them to the mall where they can play games and buy them ice cream its not that expensive

Anonymous — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 16:30:23 GMT

take them to the mall where they can play games and buy them ice cream its not that expensive

I have 6 kids they are now aged 23-13, when they ...

Kelly — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 06:04:48 GMT

I have 6 kids they are now aged 23-13, when they were younger we spent alot of time at the park on Saturdays that was kind of our kick back day, blankets pillows, balls, frisbees, art stuff, books, peanut butter sandwiches, chips and capri suns, don't forget the sunblock. Also an arts and crafts day is fun too, for holidays and birthday gifts too.

Take them to a dance class. Play "Dancing with the ...

Anonymous — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 17:54:16 GMT

Take them to a dance class. Play "Dancing with the Stars." Ballroom dancing is everywhere. Some Arthur Murray Dance Studios (Glendale Ca.) offer Arthur's Kids Group classes on Saturdays. It's a fun and productive way to spend an hour or two and parents learn too just watching their kids in class.