Hellobee Boards

Sensory activities (we filled an underbed clothing storage box with dried pinto beans from the dollar store and threw measuring spoons, cups, etc. in it. also, fill a bowl with foaming shaving cream and play in it, maybe hide small toys or coins in it), seek and find books, seasonal window clings (we find these at Dollar Tree), play outside, build a fort out of a sheet.

Also, arts and crafts: nothing crazy, just coloring with markers, crayons and colored pencils. We also have those dab markers (used for bingo). Stickers from Michaels--you get like 100+ for $1 so you can really let him go crazy.

The giant box of pinto beans has really saved me, especially when I just need something for her to do while I prep dinner.

Helping set the table or unload the dishwasher if needed. From when we get home until dinner DS is responsible to keep himself busy, he's 3.5. He will chat with us while he plays and we cook. After dinner we do something with him or he will help if we have something that needs to get done. Sometimes he will just want to keep playing in his own.

My 3 year old is really into imaginative/pretend play right now. I've noticed if she needs to decompress that is what she really gravitates to - it helps her to just be in her own little world for a while. She can pretend with anything but her play kitchen, dress up clothes, baby dolls, Little People, and doctor kit are all in heavy rotation!