Wearing my kids out
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
United States
November 16, 2010 1:05am CST
SO I finally see the schedule book for Thanksgiving. Well I"m working late at night after hubby comes home which is not our usual routine. However working retail and Black Friday we all have to work I have no say in this. So my question is what activities can I do to wear them out? I was thinking they've been asking to see the new Super Wal-mart they just opened... Oh wait that's a store & black friday?!?! NO WAY! It's been in the 40's maybe 50's so it's not like we can be out for a long periods of time... I don't have alot of money to spend so things like going to the movies are out. The only thing I can think of is to spend the afternoon at the library as they have a play area for the toddler to say 10yr grouping inside... but I don't know how long I could keep them there.
I'm only asking for suggestions as normally I'd take them window shopping or to a park or something but between the weather the biggest shopping day of the year I'm at a loss of what we can do. And as I said hubby will come home tired and will be too pooped out himself and will have to leave before sun up to go back to work again.
1 person likes this
12 responses
@chazzief (237)
• Malaysia
16 Nov 10
hmmm, i dont have kids and nor married, but i like the idea of going out to the park with the kids and let them play all they want. or, if you want, you can get them do crafts, or even stage a play for you to record and send to the other relatives! XD
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
16 Nov 10
I'd consider the crafts thing if they'd pick up after themselves and keep things orderly but they don't. Wich makes me sad cause I loved to do crafts as a kid but these guys just make a mess and do not take care of things given to them to use. As I've seen many beading kits I'd like to get, but am hesitant to buy when the beads will spend more time on the floor than in the proper container or space a lotted for working on projects.
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
16 Nov 10
I would just bundle them up and let them play outside or go to a park. I mean, you'll let them go out to play in snow as long as they're bundled enough, right? So weather shouldn't make a difference unless it's raining or something nasty.
The library is also a good idea, and while you're there you can borrow some videos for the kids to watch that evening. My kids turn into zombies when they're watching videos.. so typically when I'm out or trying to sleep, that is what hubby does is put on videos to keep the kids quiet and calm.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
16 Nov 10
The library is where I thought you might find some kids activity or fitness videos, or even some sing along CD's with action. It could be a fun day, maybe do some crafts or baking as well.
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
16 Nov 10
Look into some kids fitness videos, or even adult ones, and get the kids to do them with you. It is not too cold to be outside, just dress appropriately and go at the warmest part of the day. Last year on Black Friday we went to antique shops and thrift shops, and they were not crowded at all. I am wondering if the point is that your hubby needs to sleep all day? If so, I guess you cannot have a home fun day or a tickle fest or anything like that.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
16 Nov 10
He's not on night shift right now but will be in January. He wants to go to bed when he gets home, however since I'm scheduled to work that night (everyone has to work black friday!) he won't get to go to bed til the kids do. So if I wear them out he can go to bed hopefully no later than 9 w/o any fuss so he can go to bed and then get up before the chickens to go to work. *sigh*
@savypat (20216)
• United States
16 Nov 10
We always had many things to do at home, we played cards, had board games, had crafts to do, or baking. Baking might be best if you have a kitchen with room, simple cookies or cupcakes are fun and even the littliest ones can help decorate, or other parts of the process. AND YOU CAN EAT THE RESULTS
1 person likes this
@cicisnana (772)
• United States
17 Nov 10
Yes, just bundle the kiddo's up and let them have a "field" day. Especially if there are other children in the neighborhood you may just have an unofficial day with many of the kids so they can all play together and get it all out of all of their systems..maybe, if there are going to be other children involved too, parents can take turns supervising the little ones at play..
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
17 Nov 10
There's only one other child in our neighborhood. Her mother does not pay attention very well to the kids wich is why we insist if the girl plays over it's in our back yard, plus our back yard is more sucluded from strangers and passerby's than hers. As we had an incident this fall with a stranger giving the kids a magnet while she was supposed to be watching them.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Nov 10
Is there any skating rinks or something like that anywhere close to where you live? I know that we have a roller skating rink that is not too far from our house and because of the fact that the kids are off of school that week they have special prices that families and children are able to enjoy. That might be a viable option. Or, if there is an indoor playground at a restaurant or something like that you would be able to take the children there and they would be able to play and it would wear them out.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
17 Nov 10
i don't have any kids yet... but usually when i want to wear myself out, i go to the library, the beach, do window shopping or watch movies on DVD or computer at home... activities that do not require much money or even no money at all... may be for your child you can play games with them at home, take them to the nearby beach for a stroll or do some exercising to tire them out... take care and have a nice day...
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
16 Nov 10
We have had a bunch of cousins over. They are all dressed warmly. THey rake the leaves in our front and back yard. And then they have a leaf jumping party. in the end we have piles of leaves,Yard waste bags to fill. So yard work gets done and the kids get tired, and have a great time.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
16 Nov 10
3SnuggleBunnies oh the library is a really neat idea as they have a l;ot of thigs for kids to day. At the library where I wor ked they had a special time for reading to the little ones and time for arts and crafts too. always something the kids would love to do and its all free so you could really spend a lot of time in the l ibrary . .I think you could spend a lot of time in there qand nobody would be asking you to leave either as library workers like to see people actually using all the facilities all the time. 
@gdesjardin (1918)
• United States
17 Nov 10
I hate to repeat what others have said, but I would do the same with my kids...bundle them up and take them outside. The best way to get their energy out is to have them running around! I remember growing up, by mom would send us out all bundled up in the cold for a few hours and when we got home we would take a nice long nap!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
16 Nov 10
The above poster took the words right out of my mouth. LOL.. That would be my best advice also as if you are in the park they will certainly not even feel the cold. You perhaps will need a thermos of coffee/hot chocolate and a really heavy jacket.
But the kids will certainly sweat after running around wild. They especially like the park when normally on colder days they are not able to go. Good luck and have a little fun with them.
@rovered777 (649)
• United States
17 Nov 10
Knowing that you have lots of work to do away from the family, you should make the day special for them. At least make a Turkey, even though this has ingredients that make people tired. They will enjoy and recall such events more easily. When they're home, and need something to do, try giving them video games and a fish tank. First of all, lots of activity can be used for playing games, and secondly a fish tank is amusing for many children. Once they are worn out in front of the video games, the fish tank will help them rest and focus. These are excellent ideas for your children, as my kids really enjoyed both objects.
