This weekend I will have my 3 y/o and 6 y/o nephews. They play well together, and are fairly easily entertained. We also have a 7 m/o baby.

My husband isn't exactly patient with them, which is just another reason why I need some cheap/free ideas for keeping them busy. We're outside of a really small town (Keokuk, Ia), so a zoo is not available, along with other larger-area comforts and conveniences.

Also, the weather is pretty crazy these days, so I'm particularly looking for indoor ideas. Help!! I need two days' worth of material!! Thanks in advance--I know you'll all be a big help!

coloring
play dough
build a tent with blankets
have an indoor picnic (put a sheet on the floor and eat picnic food)
build an obstacle course with household items
some kind of simple craft project?
reading books
simple card games - you can get decks at the Dollar Store

When my kids were little and the weather was "bad" (here, that would mean rainy), I'd take them out for walks in the rain and let them stomp in puddles and mud. Then, I'd take them home, strip them down, and plop them in a warm and bubbly bathtub. They loved it and it could take up the better part of an afternoon.

If you have access to butcher paper, it's fun have them lie down on a piece, then you trace them. Let them color themselves in. This would be easier for the 6-year-old than the 3-year-old.

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Check out these sites for things to print for them

DLTK's Printable Crafts for Kids
Download-a-Dinosaur
Kids Games & TV Shows | Activity Finder for Parents & Preschoolers | Just For Kids | Dora | Blues Clues | Nick Jr
N O G G I N: Home

Don't forget to have them bring a few movies for when they need a break.

Jen

Going with the butcher paper suggestion....you can also buy some cheap toy cars and let them dip the wheels in washable paint and make their own roads on paper KIDS LOVE IT!

Thank you, thank you! These are awesome ideas! I think we have a full weekend! I have butcher's paper, I went to the library... Thanks so much!

Thank you, thank you for all those ideas! I used most of them, the boys stayed busy and out of trouble (except for a short-lived wild run in Wal-Mart, but you can't prevent everything!). Nobody has even cried or bled this weekend! The most important thing--dh and I still have our sanity, and everybody still likes each other. Hopefully this report isn't too early--they'll go home tomorrow--but it seems as tho we've had a very fun, successful weekend. Thanks again!