Anyone have ideas of craft projects/learning activities for 3 to 4 year olds while mom/aunt is working?

Question

I work at a flower shop that my mother owns and I take my 4 year old with me. My sister is now in need of a sitter and her daughter is 3 1/2 years old. The children do really well while I have things to do when there are no customers in the shop, mainly because I have their attention and I'm showing/explaining everything I'm doing...

however when the phone rings and I need to give my undivided attention to the customer, the kids act up something fierce...I really need some ideas for some activities that I can put in a zip-lock baggie and hand it to them when the phone rings or if I'm busy with a customer on the floor...I'm looking for some really creative ideas...but please!!!...no finger paints!!!!

Answer 1

All the ideas already given are great. Don't forget to give them paper and envelopes so they can write their own letters to give to you or someone at home. Is there an area where you can display some of their art pictures or crafts.

Answer 2

Crayons and their favorite coloring book.

Tubs of books checked out from the library and rotate often!

Beading/stringing/lacing items made for preschoolers for safety

Puzzle

Answer 3

Maybe you should try Fisher- Price fun and play learning laptop for their age, Leapfrog laptop,Vtech Tote, Hooked on Phonics etc.. All these games are fun plus learning and it would really keep them busy while you have customers.

Answer 4

heres a bunch of ideas:

-coloring sheets.

-blocks.

-puzzles.

-even books (with lots of pictures).

-musical instraments (although while your on the phone it may be a bad idea.. too much niose...)

- kids that age love to dance. so bring a cd with you.

-4 year olds should be able to cut. so get some paper and kid friendly scissors and they can cut.

-have papers made out with tracable letters.. Dot their names on a peice of paper so they can trace it. it will help them learn their names and keep them pre occupied for a little while. (although not very long)

-a card board box. kids have great imaginations. this would be cool for them to play with.

-sand table (although they can be more expensive then you might be looking for)  they are great for holding kids attentions for a while... just avoid letting them put water in it) (this can hold their attentions for like 20 minutes, puts little toys inside it. play pots and pans. and spoons. measuring cups etc. they will have a ball.

Answer 5

Hi,

children are a really active bunch and need to be occupied all day long. i think you could get them all some lego blocks and place it in front of them. You could tell them to build a city/bridge and make them pretend that they are the kings and queens. You could also cut out some paper crowns and give them glue, feathers,glitter, markers etc and ask them to decorate it. Maybe you could get those little plastic animals and ask the children to make stories out of them. That will keep them occupied for a long time and at the age of 3 to 4 kids like crafts, bulding stories and hands on alot.

Hope i have helped you.

Answer 6

Duplo.  It's like lego's for little kids.  Any building toy is good, really.  Lincoln Logs and Tinker Toys are also good. Fun & creative.