Isolating with kids is tricky. That’s putting it nicely.
And as great as all the Pinterest ideas are on how to keep your little people entertained, engaged and educated, they all require prep and A LOT of these ideas are MESSY AF!
Now, I’m not opposed to a little mess, but I have found that the activities go a lot smoother when you plan well! So instead of offering you a pile of sensory activities that will blow your kids’ minds, I am offering you tips on how to get through these activities without blowing your tree.
First thing, don’t go planning to do these great activities multiple times per day. I do a couple a week, maybe three if I’m feeling brave. It’s easy to think that you need to spend the whole day on wonderful experiences when your socials are bombarding you with ideas, but it really is a case of less is more.
Make sure you plan your materials out for the week when doing your grocery shop. It’s helpful to have a box of STEM items all ready to go, that is separate from your pantry items. It makes prep and clean up much easier for you. If you are feeling super organised you can even have a list of items that is taped to the front of the box so you know what you have without needing to open it.
Find a spot where something like this will work well. Outside is ideal, for obvious reasons. If you don’t have that option though, the bathtub/shower is another good option (provided you have some non slip mats down).
Timing is everything. I do these activities in the afternoon, as this works well for my toddler as she is well rested after her nap. It’s also a nice time of day to be outside and it will often tie in with Miss 4 month’s final nap. Also, by the time the afternoon has rolled around, I’ve found I’m a lot more relaxed as all my ‘chores’ are done so I can be truly present for the impending mess.
Before you start, have the clean-up materials at the ready. A bucket of water, Paper towel, wet wipes, old rags, a spare tray (for dirty utensils etc) and spare clothes are some of the things I will have good to go before things get messy. Otherwise you are headed for all kinds of trouble (I’ve learnt this from experience). Again, it’s handy to have all of these things in a box so that you are ready each time. Also, be diligent about replenishing/washing these items after each use!
Demonstrate to your kids first if possible. That way they know what to expect, plus it’s a great way of getting their working memory firing. By all means let them do it their own way too, but I have found that a little direction at the start leads to longer and more in depth play and exploration.
Finally, don’t put pressure on yourself. It’s probably not going to look like a Pinterest post. Some activities will be a raging success and others will be an epic fail. That’s all part of it. I’ve found a wine at the end of the day tends to erase any ill feelings I might have towards messy play!
It's A Work In Progress 