I love kids, I always have! I have worked with kids most of my adult life and am raising that beautiful little girl pictured above. Raising kids when you have cancer is challenging. When I was diagnosed she was 6, we moved in with my parents because I was too sick to care for her by myself. Having a strong support system is crucial when you are battling something so overwhelming. Being sick pushed me to slow down and enjoy very simple time with my little one. There are lots of things you can do with your kiddos even from the couch, I’ve included some simple but fun ideas of things to do when you aren’t up for much of anything.

Fun ideas to keep kids entertained at home:

• Make Playdough 2 cups flour, 2 tblsp oil 1/2 c. salt 2 tblsp cream of tartar and about a cup and half of boiling water, you can add food coloring
• Build a fort Use blankets and chairs in you can get as elaborate as you want make it like a maze and the fun will last all day
• The floor is lava yes its as simple as it sounds pretend the floor is lava throw books or pillows on the floor and create a terrifying fun filled day of getting through the house without falling in the lava
• Make bird feeders Take a toilet paper roll and smear it with peanut butter and roll it in bird seed use a string and hang it outside, squirrels will love this too!
• Waterplay inside Take a tote or large tupperware container fill it with water and put some toys out, for little kids scoops and cups work great and for older kids barbies and other small toys become more fun in water
• Have a dance-a-thon Turn up the music and dance the day away you can even sponsor your kids by agreeing to reward them for how long they can dance
• Your home is an island we are trapped on an island and surrounded by water, what are you going to do, how will you survive and where will you sleep each room in your house can be a different part of the island, you can also do this on a large deck, you can create a camp like environment with blankets or a hammock and get as elaborate as you want
• Make paper plate masks Use paper plates or even construction paper cut out eye holes and decorate with cut up bright colored paper and glitter or whatever you have around the house

Outdoor activities

• Decorate your street with outdoor chalk you can sit in a chair outside in the fresh air while your little ones color away
• Play four square Use the chalk to draw your court
• Go for a nature walk make a list of things you could find outside and then go search for the items
• Hop scotch Use your chalk to draw an elaborate hop scotch grid you throw the rock while they jump
• Have a picnic Put a blanket out on the grass and take some sandwiches out and sit and eat and enjoy the fresh air, talk about clouds in the sky, this will give you an excuse to lie down

I’ll continue to add activity ideas as I build my site