Keeping Kids Busy: Pipe Cleaners, Colander, and Beads

Since Elora-Belle started preschool, some mornings have been challenging with Little D. This morning I may have even told TatEE that someone was "driving me nuts-o." 

Poor kid just gets a little lost without his older sister playmate, and when I stymie bored snacking, he has been known to bump around the house aimlessly, even when I make numerous suggestions for things we can do together. 

This morning, desperate like I was the day of the mini carwash, a boredom buster I'd seen on Pinterest or elsewhere on the web came to mind. So I grabbed a package of pipe cleaners and a colander and told Little D I had a special treat for him. 

Well, it turned out to be a treat for Mommy too because this activity kept Little D occupied -- like totally absorbed occupied with concentration tongue and everything -- well up until it was time to pick up Elora. 

Taking the pipe cleaners out of the colander to start over was just as fun as poking the ends through the holes. He yanked them out with a flourish... 

... and went at it again. 

  Happy boy, and happy Mommy. 

Little D was excited to show Elora his new activity when she got home. She quickly came up with her own interpretation, telling me this was "like sewing." (She's been into the cardboard cards that you "sew" cording through lately.)

              

Then Elora-Belle came up with another activity. She asked if she could use her beads to make bracelets with the pipe cleaners. 

To my surprise, Little D was able to do this too, in his own way -- but he was occupied constructively, and that's huge. 

Few things make a mother happy the way her children playing nicely together does. Or is it just mine who fight? ;)

             

This activity was a great one. And it's minimally messy (unless the beads spill; but you know, sometimes it's worth it.) I expect we'll get a lot more mileage out of it...   

... in addition to these gorgeous creations. Hooray!!!