
Learn something, big kids, 6 to 12
Play that quietly teaches: fine motor, counting and colors, words, problem solving and big movement. 117 ideas
- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings


- Good for siblings


- Good for siblings



- Good for siblings

Burn energy
Sock Basketball
5–20 min 2–10 yrs Low mess- a laundry basket or bucket
- five or six pairs of socks
- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings


Learn something
Walking Water
5–20 min 4–11 yrs Low mess- six clear cups
- food coloring
- paper towels or coffee filters
- water





- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

Burn energy
Stuffy Toss
10–25 min 15 mo–6 yrs Low mess- stuffed animals
- a chair or cushion to land them on

- Good for siblings





- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings


Learn something
Rain In A Jar
10–20 min 3–10 yrs Some mess- shaving cream
- a clear jar or glass
- food coloring
- water

- Good for siblings



- Good for siblings



Learn something
Oil and Water Drops
10–20 min 3–8 yrs Some mess- vegetable oil
- food coloring
- water
- a clear cup and a few small cups
- +1 more
- Good for siblings




Learn something
Paper Plate Faces
15–30 min 3–8 yrs Low mess- paper plates or paper
- something to draw with


Learn something
Bath Pouring Station
15–40 min 12 mo–6 yrs Low mess- a bath, sink or tub of water
- cups and containers



Learn something
Shadow Drawing
15–30 min 3–9 yrs Low mess- paper or sidewalk chalk
- something to draw with


Learn something
Calm Down Jar
10–25 min 3–10 yrs Some mess- a clear plastic bottle with a lid
- warm water
- glitter or food coloring

Learn something
Fizzy Drips
15–30 min 2–7 yrs Some mess- baking soda
- white vinegar
- food coloring
- droppers or a teaspoon

Learn something
Foam Paint
15–35 min 3–8 yrs Messy- shaving cream
- food coloring or paint
- a bath or a big tray

Learn something
Leaf Cutting Tray
10–20 min 3–6 yrs Some mess- child safety scissors
- a tray or shallow tub




Learn something
Washing Line Words
15–30 min 4–8 yrs Low mess- clothes pegs
- string
- letters or paper to write them on


Learn something
Ice Paint
15–35 min 2–8 yrs Messy- an ice cube tray
- paint or food coloring
- water
- thick paper




Burn energy
Shaker Making
15–35 min 3–9 yrs Some mess- small bottles or tubs with lids
- rice, beans or pasta
- tape to seal the lids

Learn something
Build A Boat That Floats
20–45 min 4–12 yrs Some mess- foil or a bottle for the hull
- water
- a tub of water
- a small figure as the passenger

Learn something
Balance And Weigh
20–40 min 4–10 yrs Low mess- kitchen scales, or a coat hanger and two cups
- small things to weigh

Learn something
Density Rainbow
20–35 min 5–12 yrs Some mess- a tall clear glass
- sugar
- water
- food coloring
- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

Learn something
Cardboard Box Car
20–50 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a box big enough to sit in
- paper plates
- markers or crayons




Learn something
Rainbow Rice
20–45 min 2–6 yrs Some mess- uncooked white rice
- food coloring
- white vinegar
- zip-top bags

Learn something
Salt Dough Shapes
25–60 min 2–11 yrs Some mess- all-purpose flour
- salt
- water
- a mixing bowl
- Good for siblings







- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

Learn something
Teddy's Check-Up
10–30 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a toy doctor kitto buy
- a stuffed animal or doll
- Good for siblings

Learn something
All Aboard Passengers
10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- small people or animal figuresto buy
- Good for siblings

Learn something
Animal Footprint Fossils
10–30 min 2–7 yrs Some mess- play doughto buy
- toy animals or dinosaursto buy

- Good for siblings

Learn something
Buried Treasure Dig
10–30 min 3–7 yrs Some mess- kinetic sandto buy
- small treasures: buttons, coins or figures
- Good for siblings

Learn something
Train Cargo Delivery
10–30 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- cargo: pom-poms, small blocks or buttons
- Good for siblings


Learn something
Bubble Wrap Prints
10–20 min 18 mo–6 yrs Some mess- a sheet of bubble wrapto buy
- washable paintto buy
- paper

Learn something
Marble Painting
10–25 min 3–9 yrs Messy- a box or rimmed tray
- washable paintto buy
- paper
- a marble or small ball
- Good for siblings

Learn something
Numbered Parking Lot
10–25 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- toy carsto buy
- a big sheet of paper or flattened box
- a marker
- Good for siblings

Burn energy
Sticky Target
10–20 min 18 mo–6 yrs Low mess- clear contact paperto buy
- painter's tape
- scrap paper to scrunch into balls

Learn something
Trace and Match Shapes
10–25 min 3–6 yrs Low mess- magnetic tilesto buy
- paper
- a marker or crayon
- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings

Learn something
Animal Hospital
15–40 min 2–7 yrs Low mess- a toy doctor kitto buy
- stuffed animals or toy animals
- painter's tape for bandages

Learn something
Block Bridge for the Train
15–40 min 3–8 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- wooden blocksto buy
- Good for siblings

- Good for siblings


- Good for siblings

Learn something
Play Dough Birthday Cakes
15–40 min 2–6 yrs Some mess- play doughto buy
- drinking straws cut short for candles
- Good for siblings

Learn something
Cardboard Train Tunnel
15–40 min 2–6 yrs Low mess- a train set with trackto buy
- a shoe box or cardboard box

Burn energy
Cotton Ball Splat Painting
15–30 min 2–6 yrs Messy- washable paintto buy
- cotton balls
- a big sheet of paper
- Good for siblings

Learn something
Pretend Pizza Shop
15–40 min 2–7 yrs Low mess- play food for toppingsto buy
- paper plates for pizza crusts

Learn something
Toy Washing Station
15–45 min 18 mo–7 yrs Some mess- washable toysto buy
- warm water
- two tubs

Learn something
Tire Track Painting
15–40 min 2–7 yrs Messy- toy cars with wheelsto buy
- washable paintto buy
- a big sheet of paper

- Good for siblings




Learn something
Bike And Trike Wash
20–50 min 2–10 yrs Some mess- a trike, scooter or ride-onto buy
- water
- two buckets


Learn something
Frozen Excavation
20–60 min 2–10 yrs Messy- small figures or carsto buy
- water
- a container to freeze in

Learn something
Small World Bin
25–90 min 2–9 yrs Messy- small figuresto buy
- a shallow tub or tray
- a filler like rice or dry pasta

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