Projects/activities that don't create "stuff"

[Mama Rana]

I got to thinking about this because of the "lazy mom" thread. I'm much more likely to set up an activity for DS [just turned 5] if I know it's not going to create clutter.
He LOVES to color, cut, tape, staple, glue, etc., but then we have all these "projects" [plus the crap that his preschool has him producing ]. And he's not the type to let go of these easily; usually I end up doing a purge after he's in bed.
I recently organized his craft supplies, and was worried that this would result in a deluge of projects, but luckily it has not.

So anyway, I would love to do more "activities" with him/for him. He gets a kick out of these things. But I need ideas for things that aren't going to create more clutter [so not out collecting rocks or even leaf rubbings, making a mobile, etc], but things that use materials we already have, and then when it's over, can get put away.

KWIM?
Ideas?

TIA!

[milehighmonkeys]

Pouring water between containers. Watering plants you already have. DD likes to water in the garden. Chalk on the sidewalk. I need to put DD to bed right now, but I'll post more if I think of them.

[lach]

Cook! Then you can eat what you make.

I second the water recommendation. Also maybe a rice table (you can just use a tupperware box with a lid). He can make little mounds and all that.

Does he have duplo/legos? He can build stuff up and take it down.

[milehighmonkeys]

Play doh, if he can manage to squish it up when he's done and put it away. I was going to say make a fort, but that might be an issue for him when he has to put the blankets away and return the furniture. Can you get outside with a ball or frisbee? DD also has a parachute man that we use inside, too. Bubbles are good outside, too. Can he make some stuff for gifts? DD loves to make cards. She even makes them that say simply "I love you Daddy" and we send them to work with DH. Are there any hobbies you have that he could help you with? I knit and DD loves to help wind yarn!! I could actually put her to work re-winding yarn she likes it so much. Does he help with chores? DD often likes to do whatever we're doing. One of her regular jobs is helping to unload the dishwasher. That usually takes us 15-20 minutes. Sorry this bounces around so much. I hope you get some great ideas that you can use.

[rzberrymom]

Oh, I'm totally with you on the clutter!!!!

Most of my ideas are nature ones--keeps the clutter out of my house.

My DH made BINGO cards with little drawings of things to find outdoors in our neighborhood--different types of insects, plants, seeds, animals, etc. You don't actually collect them, just find them. Sometimes we make it harder and have to find everything on the card.

Or a nature scavenger hunt is about the same--just find things on a list, but don't bring them home.

If there are two kids, you can blindfold one and have the other one guide the blindfolded one around outside to touch and smell things in nature and try to guess what the things are. No clutter!

[savannah smiles]

I feel your pain! I, too, have to purge when ddd1 isn't around. As it is, she has several drawers and shelves in the house dedicated to her supplies and finished projects.

I like the ideas others have put out there, esp. the chalk and bubbles. A couple of activities I like to do includes making bird feeders using bagels w/ peanut butter spread on them and then dipped into bird seed. Then you just tie a string through the center and hang it on a branch. The second thing we like to do at this time of year is getting a couple of pots, potting soil, and flower seeds to plant. My dd loves to look at all of the flower seed packs and pick out the prettiest ones.

[eepster]

DS loves to help with yard work.

[MusicianDad]

I used to take DD down to the beach to make little houses out of wood or rocks. Or up to the park for a similar activity. When you go out and make something in nature, you can leave it there.

A garden is also a good idea, it does create something, but it's not something that's stored in the house (unless your in an apartment, but it can make the widow areas pretty).

[LaughingHyena]

I give mine baking trays to fingerpaint on. They spend ages swirling blobs of paint. Occasionally we get a pattern they want to keen and we lay paper on top to take a print. Otherwise it all gets washed up.

Chalks, either on the patio or the easel are also popular as its painting with water on the patio.

For the projects that do end with stuff each child has a space in their bedroom to display their art and DD has a box for projects. Once they are full they are pretty good about sorting out which they don't want any more.

[eepster]

Another one,

I let DS do MSpaint on the lap top. Every once and a while I let him do photoshop on my office (our den) computer with my tablet.