April showers might bring May flowers, but they also bring boredom for kids who can’t go outside to play in the fresh spring air. What’s a parent to do?
Make a Mosaic Masterpiece
Use construction paper or poster board for a background. Have children cut up different colored pieces of paper, or pick up a few punches with cute designs and punch out shapes in different colors. Give each child a glue stick and have him or her start arranging colored pieces on the background, forming a mosaic pattern. When the glue is dry, have children color in gaps and spaces. Create a frame for the artwork using leftover strips of construction paper. This project can also be done on craft wood, using craft glue, sequins, and flat backed beads, with glitter to fill in the gaps.
Create Word Find Puzzles
This one is probably a little challenging for small children, but it will help keep bigger kids busy. Have each child choose a theme, and then make a list of words that need to be found. Your kids can write up their puzzles or use a word processing program (or even Notepad) to mix up letters and hide words within, adding pictures that coordinate with the theme. When children have finished constructing their puzzles, have them trade with each other and begin finding words. Scrambled words games are also fun!
Make Your Own Coloring Pages and Activity Pages
You can find lots of great websites that offer printable coloring pages, some with your children’s favorite characters, as well as activity pages. Use the link above or simply type “coloring pages” into a search engine and you’ll find plenty to choose from. You can also make your own. Have children trace pictures of their favorite characters or images and then color them in as desired. You can also create coloring pages or activity pages on your computer with any Paint program and print them off. Older children will enjoy making their own dot to dot pictures and color by number pages to swap with siblings and friends.
*Watch for my Boredom Busters articles next month! They will be filled with crafts and activities to help keep kids busy over summer vacation.