hunting season?

[CherryBomb24]

Ok hunting season starts in a few days and we have a ton of people coming to stay at our house.
We have a 3 bedroom house with already 8 people living here. < 3 of them being kids under age of 5.
With an additional 7 people coming to stay for the week. < 2 of them being kids under age of 10.

Its going to be a majorly stressful week, is there anyway to make it less stressful? Every time my dad leaves the house, my little guy goes with - so i gotta find something a little extra fun to keep him from getting mad that he was left behind.
Like - something for all the kids to do to keep them occupied, fun little games or activities. My little guy loves playing games but most of the games we play are computer games or his learning games- which most are 2player.
I was thinking of setting up a "paint station" at the kitchen table, and have them all paint either ceramics for the older ones and paper for the younger ones.

Any suggestions for games or activities?
thanks

 

[OzoneRed]

Are there any kennels near your house? Maybe you could just stash all the kids there for a week.

 

[Saucyminx]

You could always do the hand turkeys. You give them all pieces of paper, and either crayons or makers (depending on how big a mess you want), They trace their hand and then draw a beak on the thumb and color the fingers to make them the tail feathers. It's goofy but fun.

http://www.ehow.com/how_9193_make-handprint-turkey.html

Ono is always a great, cheap, and pretty easy game for the little ones.

Hide and seek in the house is always fun--but we always did a twist on it. You have one kid hide, and then everyone looks for them individually, but when someone finds that child, they have to try and squeeze into the hiding place with them, until the last person finds everybody.

You can get sugar cookies and have them each decorate one with colored icing and sprinkles.

Paper flowers, (if you need a centerpiece for your table) are cheap and easy too. You cut squares of tissue paper in whatever colors you want (I always did that part so the kids didn't have to use scissors) have them stack up 5 or more pieces, and then fold them like an accordian. Wrap a pipecleaner around the top, and then pull up the petals. Easy peasy.

 

[CherryBomb24]

Are there any kennels near your house? Maybe you could just stash all the kids there for a week.

lol i wish.

 

[CherryBomb24]

You could always do the hand turkeys. You give them all pieces of paper, and either crayons or makers (depending on how big a mess you want), They trace their hand and then draw a beak on the thumb and color the fingers to make them the tail feathers. It's goofy but fun.

http://www.ehow.com/how_9193_make-handprint-turkey.html

Ono is always a great, cheap, and pretty easy game for the little ones.

Hide and seek in the house is always fun--but we always did a twist on it. You have one kid hide, and then everyone looks for them individually, but when someone finds that child, they have to try and squeeze into the hiding place with them, until the last person finds everybody.

You can get sugar cookies and have them each decorate one with colored icing and sprinkles.

Paper flowers, (if you need a centerpiece for your table) are cheap and easy too. You cut squares of tissue paper in whatever colors you want (I always did that part so the kids didn't have to use scissors) have them stack up 5 or more pieces, and then fold them like an accordian. Wrap a pipecleaner around the top, and then pull up the petals. Easy peasy.

i didnt think of the turkey hand print. i think the younger ones would get a kick out of that.
hide and seek the way you described it sounds like a blast lol definately going to try that one.
most of the kids are too young for uno - only 2 of them know their numbers. so that might get a little difficult for the little ones.
i talked to my mom about it, and she said to pick up some moon sand and let them build sand castles- that it will keep them occupied for hours. sounds like an awesome idea.

 

[Be_happy]

Shaving cream is fun to play with....smearing it on the table, but be careful not to get in the eyes of course. I worked in a daycare and that was a FAVORITE thing to do!

 

[CherryBomb24]

Shaving cream is fun to play with....smearing it on the table, but be careful not to get in the eyes of course. I worked in a daycare and that was a FAVORITE thing to do!

i think i'll pass on that one lol

 

[Be_happy]

i think i'll pass on that one lol

Awww!! LoL, guess that is why the kids in daycare LOVED it! But is it MESSY fun!! Clean up is easy!

 

[Phaedre]

Awww!! LoL, guess that is why the kids in daycare LOVED it! But is it MESSY fun!! Clean up is easy!

And they smell nice afterwards too!

Try ooblick - just mix cornflour (corn starch) & water to make a paste.

 

[Be_happy]

And they smell nice afterwards too!

Try ooblick - just mix cornflour (corn starch) & water to make a paste.

Ohhh, good idea!!

 

[glynndah]

Cinnamon ornaments


Mix bulk ground cinnamon with enough applesauce to make a thick paste. Roll out and cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Punch a hole in the top and allow to air dry or dry in a very slow oven until hard. Tie a loop of ribbon or yarn through the hole.

Note: I usually add a little white glue to the mixture, but it isn't really necessary.

 

[gigi1968]

Cinnamon ornaments


Mix bulk ground cinnamon with enough applesauce to make a thick paste. Roll out and cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Punch a hole in the top and allow to air dry or dry in a very slow oven until hard. Tie a loop of ribbon or yarn through the hole.

Note: I usually add a little white glue to the mixture, but it isn't really necessary.

These are wonderful on a tree, as the lights warmup the cinnamon and smells great.

 

[satindesire]

Cinnamon ornaments


Mix bulk ground cinnamon with enough applesauce to make a thick paste. Roll out and cut into shapes using cookie cutters. Punch a hole in the top and allow to air dry or dry in a very slow oven until hard. Tie a loop of ribbon or yarn through the hole.

Note: I usually add a little white glue to the mixture, but it isn't really necessary.

Ohh, wow! What a cool idea!

I am totally doing that this year. I will post pictures.

 

[satindesire]

Make balloon people!

Get safety scissors, colored construction paper, colorful balloons and markers.

Blow up the balloons, then cut out eyes, hair, mouths, etc. Decorate the balloons and the facial pieces with markers. Tape on with scotch tape.

Have a nature scavanger hunt!

Make several copies of outdoor things for the kids to find such as, blade of grass, leaf, rock, bug, pine cone, etc.

 

[insert____here]

never under estimate the power of play dough...especially making it themselves...

spread an old sheet over the floor, turn them loose with a box of textas

send them out to bring back stuff to stick on paper.

paper machie...they can do that for hours.

send them to the shops on errands (the older ones), they can walk there and back in a group safely enough.

making packet mix cup cakes is fairly cheap and easy

and i'll totally agree with the shaving cream...get them to do it somewhere you can hose off though...