[mamamelia]

i just found my sister, neice and nephew are coming to stay with us for TWO months!!!!!!!!! they live in lebanon and my sister has had enough of the current situation (nephew seems to have some PTSD from the war last summer) and so they've come to stay for their summer break (i'm hoping they'll move back here but that's another story). they arrive next tuesday morning! i want to make their stay very enjoyable but i'm a little stuck as it's winter here and been pouring like crazy for weeks so there is not much to do outside of the home. i was wondering what we could do inside of the home that was still heaps of fun other than running around the place playing hide and seek. john has recently turned 13 and layla has recently turned 8. i also have dd1 (almost 3) who will be joining in the fun. dd2 (6m) will just watch everyone, interrupt games, chew on stuff

i don't have much in the way of toys as dd doesn't really like to play with toys, and the only stuff she has is not really appropriate for anyone over 4, so i'll need some ideas. the only games we have are monopoly and chess. so far, my list for keeping layla and dd occupied is:
playdoh with all sorts of cutters and that squeezy machine
washable paints and paint supplies
colouring books, funky pens to colour with etc
books to read
craft supplies for making necklaces, bracelets etc

and for john, i was thinking board games that my sister, dh or i can join in with, dvd's, books to read...

please send more suggestions my way.

and while were at it, any suggestions for good board games & books for both age groups? i was thinking harry potter for john but i'm unsure as i haven't read any of the HP books myself.

TIA!

 

[sadean]

My 12 yo son like: legos, reading, playing with the computer (games mostly), skateboarding, soccer, swimming, wandering around the mall, watching movies/tv and drawing.

My 7 yo son mostly tags along with his brother.

 

[mamamelia]

how could i forget lego???? we have lego duplo but i think i'll get a tub of the smaller version.

dh has some good computer games and he has fully buffed up the computer for graphics, sound and whatnot

so i'm sure he'll enjoy playing alongside dh.

what books does your son like to read?

keep em coming!!!!

 

[mamamelia]

oh i forgot to mention, i also got dd and layla each one of those haba carrot jump ropes and i'm going to get a large elastic so they can play elastics. good indoor game ideas appreciated too..

 

[sunnysideup]

My son and his friends have been really into this Pirates card game. You build little ships with the cards and play some kind of game with them.

We like a lot of the Cranium games. They have many games that are fun for ages 8 and up to play together.

Cooking projects can be fun for big kids. My 9yo loves to make cupcakes and decorate them. She also enjoys being in charge of the salad for dinner, especially if there are lots of veggies she can chop up to put in it.

 

[CarrieMF]

Games like Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Rummikub, Sorry are good for both age groups.

Can you get any 2nd hand bikes cheap(though wait until they arrive)

 

[mamamelia]

THANKS SO MUCH for the game suggestions!! i have noted them down (i'm going shopping on thursday night - both at the shops and online).

we could get bikes, but the weather really sucks.... they are expecting a small cyclone just an hour away tonight aswell...

so it's all home activities for us.

cooking is great!! we can cook all day, i don't mind. both my sister and i love to cook anyway.

:

 

[momuveight2B]

I have kids of all different ages including the ages you mentioned. Here is how we spend our summer days.

Morning chores.
Swimming & swimming lessons at the indoor pool mostly.
Homeschool, this is not real involved since we are just keeping up on skills. Part of this they are participating in a library program that gives them a reward each Friday and other activities.

Computer games, games on the GameCube, television time and movies. They have to earn this time by doing the other stuff.

Our grocery store has been running a promotion to earn free movie tickets and since we buy LOTS of groceries we have been seeing some free movies.

Bike rides and walks around the neighbourhood.

Vacation Bible School at various churches. There is one almost every week during the summer here. The kids really enjoy it and I find the churches keep it fun and not too "churchy". They do not take the 0-3 year old age usually but it gives me time alone with the little ones.

Their real favorite is going to the beach but I am not taking the heat real well at seven months pregnant so that is a rare treat. They also like to picnic there or at any of our local parks.

The challenge is finding exciting things to do for free or on a budget.

They would love to go to the water park or amusement parks but right now I am not up to it and those are real budget busters.

 

[Roar]

I'd check your local library. Many have great summer reading programs with plenty of activities for older kids too. For games I'd suggest looking at yard sales because that's where we've gotten most of our games. Just for fun if you happen to be at Target or someplace take a look for the hand held 20 questions game. It is cheap and surprisingly fun for both of those ages (and for adults too).