I know this should go in Preschoolers but I wanted more exposure, so feel free to move if necessary!

I had a 'schedule' when ds was a baby and toddler when he took naps, but for the past two years (he's 5) I've just been going willy nilly and decided I needed a 'schedule' again.

The problem is with these cold winter days, when if the weather is nice we would be outside at a least an hour a day, is that right after lunch ds wants to watch TV. He only watches 1 hour a day, so if he's done with it then, when *I* need some online time later in the day he basically hangs around and I'd just prefer for him to watch his show later in the day, around 4:30 or so.

What do you do after lunch with the kids? I've been trying to implement a craft a day but then I'm spending all my time when he's gone scrambling to get it ready. I'd love some ideas as to how your afternoon goes after lunch if your kids do not nap. Thanks!!

Preston (4) is in preschool so I try my best to stay on their Schedule to help with him in class. After they have lunch they have story time where they all gather around and listen to a story , then they make a craft or game that has to do with the story . ITs real fun ! You get to be creative lol then after that they have " nap " time. But they dont have to nap its basicly cool down down time usally 30 mins or so You would be surprized at how well they lay their and listen to soft music playing . Then when thats over they get snack . They have their outside time in the morning. I will look for my list today of games and crafts you can do with stories. Ive kinda gotten behind latley with all this stupid house work , all work and no play for me !

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We have the same problem. It's so easy to just plunk them in front of the TV right? Our kids only have an hour in the morning and an hour at night of TV. So I totally get what you're saying.

Here are some things we do with our three and half year old when youngest ds is down for a nap: (this gives me about an hour's computer time too ~~~ hee hee hee)

1) practise writing his name: upper and lower case (you can find the worksheets in a preschool readiness activity book at the dollar store or walmart, etc. make copies of the sheets before using them so you can use them over and over again!!)

2) Have him work on his fine motor skills and give him mazes to work though: starting at point A and working to Point B

3) Playdoh is another fine motor skill....just adding different "toys" with playdoh makes it fun

4) Stencil drawing....he's really gotten on to that, so now we're looking into getting more stencils!!

5) V-Smile ~ video game for preschoolers. It's got phonics, sounds, shape, alphabet and number recognition....while giving him fine motor practise

6) Baking ~ have him stir or measure the ingredients. It helps introduce math concepts to him and gives him a treat for after dinner too!! EAT THOSE VEGGIES!

7) memory game ~ can be played alone!!

All of these activities can be done either with your encouragement or something he can do on his own. It works for us!

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After lunch I usually have Tyler help me clean up the kitchen and then we play a game together. He loves Disney Scene It and his v-smile games. I dont let him play video games alone often. I usually play with him so we talk and laugh together. Also he loves to paint. He has a play room that is totally kid proofed. We put in hardwood floors so spills are easy to clean up, the rugs are all form ikea so the can just go in the wash. I let him go to his play room alone if I need some down time to get on the computer or talk on the phone or whatever. He loves to practice what we call school. He connects the dots to write his letters and numbers. He also draws shapes. He knows how to write his first name and we are working on his last name. (He starts pre-K in the fall so I am trying my best to get him ready). While he is doing 'school' I make my grocery list, balance my check book, write out checks, open my mail, read a magazine or make a few calls. We have lunch around 11:30 and that is the babies nap time so Tyler and I usually get about an hour and a half to two hours together to clean, play games, draw, paint, color and do 'school' work. There are lots of free or very very cheap things we do when its really cold out. The library is free and ours has an excellent kids section. McDonalds play land is about 2.00 after we buy ice cream The aqautic center charges 2.00/person for 2 hours of heated pool swim time, although this is hard for me to do often since Jackson is 1 now hes not satisfied hanging out in his stroller anymore and hes not a big fan of the water yet. The dollar store is a good place to take Tyler for about 30 minutes of fun and I spend like 5.00 bucks! I let him pick out one toy, one book, one coloring book and some paper or crayons. We dont do this ofter either but when you are tired of being in the house with kids all day you get creative! Good luck!