What are some fun activities for a 2 year old girl and 5 year old boy to play together?

Question

I recently started a new job as a nanny for a brother (5) and sister (2) three days a week from 9am-2pm. I am looking for help in finding educational activities that can be played together, preferably with common items already around the home. It's hard to keep either one's attention for long, and even harder is helping them to share. Any advice with tips to promote sharing without crying/fighting, would be appreciated, too!

Answer 1

Well I like some of the answers that you have but what I suggest is that before you decide to do anything you should talk to their parents, and see what she does when your not around.

Answer 2

I have a 5 year old and a 2.5  year old (amongst other children....but these are my own) and really...they don't play together very well.  The 2.5 year old is still in the stage of parallel play whereas the 5 year old is wanting cooperative play and dramatic play.  

Things they have "together" but at their own levels...I consider "educational" more than just the basic concepts.  :-)

*  playdough (they can help you make it as well...you can make a variety of types over the course of time)  

*  legos

*  food and etc...dramatic play

*  dress up---and yes the 5 year old boy will most likely think this is hilarious.  

*  musical instruments---make your own!  Search online for instructions if you're not sure how to go about it.

*  Sensory- I use washtubs with sensory items such as beans, rice, oatmeal, cornmeal, birdseed, water, etc...I also add cups, spoons, bottles, scoops, etc and dramatic play sets such as barn, dump trucks, safari animals, etc.

*  Make sure you get outdoor time... they can learn a lot from being outdoors!

*  Any open-ended art project works for both ages...they'll each explore at their own level.

Sharing-  this is such a hard concept and I think the hardest of it all is that the adult often is heard saying "you need to share!".  This is how I go about it and have success.  I teach them to ask for the item.  (The two year old likes to take it yet I'm sure...so this will have to be taught.)  "May I use ....?."  More often than not the answer is "no!"...so I teach them to use the words "Yes, when I'm done".  And then help them follow through.  I find that the 2 year olds say "no" because they can not because they are really playing with it.  And when I taught the five year old to say "May I use that when you are done?" They younger are more likely to give it to him within 3 MINUTES!  It's amazing and they are all happy.  It does take patience and follow through.  I also teach them how to trade.  

I also suggest you set a schedule and stick with it!  Then they both know what is going to happen next.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Go on Google search for free activities for children and there are lots, some with online simple colorful games, printouts, crafts, etc.

Answer 4

These answers are all great, but I have suggestions of my own.

Read!  Read!  Read!  Reading to children can encourage a lifelong love of books.  As a children's librarian, I LOVE to read to children at work and family and friends.

Crafts!  Some crafts can be adapted for all ages.  My friend's 3 year old daughter loves "crabs."  She was coming over for a while a couple mornings a week (on my closing days).  She loved to make toilet paper tube crafts and cotton ball sheep.  For the 2 year old if something has pieces to cut out, you can do it.  For the five year old, he can cut himself.  If you get safety scissors, the 2 year old may love to practice cutting (although chances are it won't be on the lines of the pieces).  If you go to www.dltk-kids.com, you will find loads of printable crafts/coloring sheets.  Other great websites include:  www.perpetualpreschool.com, www.everythingpreschool.com, and www.thebestkidsbooksite.com.  (By the way, some of the preschool crafts could be adapted for the 5 year old.  Others may not even need adaption for the 5 year old to have fun.)

Answer 5

You sound like a great babysitter!!! Here are some ideas:

Scratch 'n Sniff Watercolors Homemade Paint:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2260779_scratch-...

Peanut Butter Playdough:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2256921_peanut-b...

Kool Aid Playdough:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2256913_make-koo...

Frosting Playdough:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2256916_make-fro...

Chocolate Scented Playdough:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2262093_playdoug...

Jello Playdough:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2256915_make-jel...

Homemade Finger Paint:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2261702_make-hom...

Hope this helps a little :)