Activities for a 2 year old and 8 year old to engage in?

[Pookietooth]

I'm posting this to the learning at home forum because I think it pertains to trying to manage things with a school age child and a two year old home all day, and because I think it's important for my two to be able to learn together. Anyway, I am looking for some ideas for things that both my 8 year old and 2 year old to do that won't bore the 8 year old but also won't frustrate the 2 year old. As my toddler daughter gets older, she is more interested in doing what her brother does, but isn't always able to do so. I realized that it really depends a lot on what my two kids like to do, and how they get along, but I was just hoping some more seasoned, or just creative, moms could throw some ideas out there for me.

I have tried crafts, but my almost 9 year old is mostly bored by them (and has some fine motor delays that frustrate him as well).

Am I just expecting too much?

Thanks,

Jennifer

[happy1nluv]

how about sensory stuff?  its messy, but...  play dough, shaving cream, bean bins...  (my oldest is 6, so i might be thinking too young)

[Qalliope]

I have an 8 yr old and a 3yr old and a 2 yr old I watch 4 or 5 days a week.  My older one does not like arts and crafts much either.  They have plenty of time for free play together.  Blocks are popular here, as are imagination games, action figures, and army men.  If you are looking for them to do something a little more school-y together, perhaps he could read to her, or write her name or little stories to go with any pictures she paints or draws, or simply show her things he is learning or reading about and talk to her.

[OTMomma]

Play dough

Cooking

Music - listening, singing, we do a drum circle at our house when the mood takes us

Build with blocks

Grow a garden

Dance

Roll a ball

Make Goop or other messy stuff (various directions are on line)

Finger Paint

Splatter paint - even kids that hate doing art like trying this, but it is a HUGE mess

Paint a canvas- if the 2 year old is doing it, the older child will feel less intimedated to try, and there is something that makes you want to try actually painting on canvas.  I recommend actually putting a back ground layer of paint on it before giving it to each child, so they don't feel they have to fill it all in- but that's just one way to go.

Sand box