Ideas for items for special "play kit" for 3-4 year old to use while I'm putting her brother...

[KLM99]

I'm having trouble juggling putting my 15mo down for a nap while my 3.5yo is still awake.  DS takes two naps a day - and in the morning when he's cranky, I need to go upstairs and nurse him down, but my DD doesn't want to stay alone (not because she's scared - she's just bored).  I thought I could put together a special box that only comes out when it's DS's nap time with fun items.  Any suggestions?  Thanks!

[Purple*Lotus]

I teach Pre K, and some of the non messy items that really hold my student's attention and are considered "special" are:

Wikki Stix, sometimes called Bendaroos.  Little wax covered pieces of yarn that can be shaped and used to create items.  My students love those.

Kaleidescopes

Read along stories on a child friendly CD player

Wedgeits- those are various shapes used to build and stack, the kids love them.

Magnetic dress up paper doll set

Good luck.  :0)

[crunchy_mommy]

Sticker book

Small container of "forbidden" (or just normally tucked away) items from around the house

A booklight (better than a flashlight because most of them bend or close!) and a special book -- maybe even get a bunch of picture books from the thrift store and have a new one each week

Special snack/drink that you might not normally give her

Maybe a simple project she could work on, like creating a small scrapbook with family photos

[AutumnAir]

Jigsaw puzzles

Stories on CD

DVDs (not the best but definitely work!)

Crayons and colouring book 

[KLM99]

Love these - thanks!  I really like the idea of a mini-project too.  Something she can work on and feel is useful.  Thanks again.

[pianojazzgirl]

TBH I think the best things for capturing my kids' undivided attention are things that are or feel somewhat "out of bounds".  So, though it would be more of a PIA to clean up afterwards, probably something messy would work best for keeping them occupied.  That might mean cutting paper into a million tiny bits (for some reason my kids love doing this), playdough might fit the bill, definitely getting out the easel and watercolours or laying down a big sheet of paper on the floor and putting out the finger paints.  Stickers to stick on sheets of paper keep my 3yo well occupied.  Just a big bin of varied craft supplies, glue and paper (check out the $ store) would go over well with my guys. 

You might also want to put some music or a book on CD on for her to listen to at the same time.