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    14 Activities For The Parent Who Is Running Out Of Ways To Entertain Their Kid At Home

    I don't even want to think about how much TV my kids have watched.

    Mariela Summerhays
    by Mariela Summerhays

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1. This sewing kit, with different sewing cards for your offspring to thread and colour.

    FoxTheMaker / Etsy

    How's hours (I mean, maybe — they are still kids) of peace and quiet sound? This sewing kit improves fine motor skills, encourages concentration — and definitely is unlike any activity your kid has ever done in school before. To sweeten the deal, this kit also comes with crayons, so your kids can colour the inside of their masterpieces, meaning more time for you to spend in silence.

    Buy 10 sewing cards, 10 different coloured threads, six crayons and more for $31.48 from Etsy.

    2. This weather station kit, which will help budding meteorologists to observe and record weather conditions around the home.

    Amazon

    This kit comes with a functional wind vane, an anemometer, a thermometer, a compass and a rain gauge — and now I'm realising that I might need this kit myself. You littlies will learn how to make a terrarium and use their instruments to study the effects of weather and moisture. No doubt their teacher will be impressed by their new hobby upon return to school!

    Buy for $21 from Amazon Australia.

    3. This sweet picture book, What Do Grown-ups Do All Day? by Virginia Morgand, which will introduce your kids to all the different contributions to society.

    Mariela Summerhays / BuzzFeed / Wide Eyed Editions / Amazon

    I bought this book around the time my eldest started asking questions about what this "work" place was that his dad kept leaving home for every day. Many industries are covered, so chances are you'll find your job in here — and look at the illustrations! Use this book as a starting point for imaginative play daily, pretending to have the many different vocations each time.

    Buy the hardcover edition for $29.99 from Amazon Australia.

    4. This rainbow lab kit, which comes with instructions for 12 different science experiments, including how to grow colourful crystals to make a test tube rainbow.

    Amazon

    This science kit comes with an array of scientific equipment — test tubes, goggles, a pipette — and a lab book with 12 fun experiments that will teach your kids creative problem-solving in a way that is engaging and, well, gorgeous, quite frankly.

    Buy for $28 from Amazon Australia.

    5. This rocks and fossils kit, which will let your kids play at being archaeologists with not only gemstones, but real geodes to crack open themselves.

    Amazon

    I mean, who isn't drawn to pretty, shiny things? Let your little magpies play with and identify each gemstone and fossil with the included learning guide and magnifying glass. Also, a display case lets them feature their favourites — the perfect bedside ornament for aspiring scientists.

    Buy now for $34.99 from Amazon Australia.

    6. This interactive robot, which will give kidlets their first introduction to basic robotics.

    Amazon

    This sweet, little electronic companion acts according to specific voice commands ("Come here!") and responds to hand motion via its sensors. It will repeat what you say — even holding the most basic of conversations! Lastly, it will play music and dance, something to entertain the youngest in your family.

    Buy for $39.99 from Amazon Australia.

    7. This tie-dye kit, which comes with enough supplies for 30 projects (maybe hide your favourite whites now).

    Amazon

    Honestly, I'm so useless at keeping my whites crisp, my kids might as well do something with them. This dye kit comes with five complimentary colours, four pairs of gloves and enough rubber bands to be dying clothes from here until the end of all things. Safe to machine wash, you can be assured your kids' designs will stay bright for a long time.

    Buy for $28.99 from Amazon Australia.

    8. This pipes bath toy, which will fascinate your child long enough for you to shampoo their hair without (much) struggle.

    Amazon

    This set of pipes vary in size, shape and function, so that when your child pours water into them, the water exits differently. Line them — using attached suction pads — next to each other to make one big chain, or use individually.

    Buy the set of five for $18.39 from Amazon Australia.

    9. This windowsill lavender kit, which will teach your offspring the importance of care and patience — these babies won't grow by themselves!

    Catch

    This kit comes with a window sill-sized metal container with drip tray, lavender seeds, soil, a wooden label and chalk. Pro tip: Place on your kids' bedroom window to the make the most of the calm-inducing, sleep-lulling fragrance.

    Buy for $15.99 from Catch.

    10. These colour and erase felt pens, which will encourage your kids to draw outside the lines — they can always change their mind!

    Amazon

    This set comes with 10 coloured markers and two erasers — so no fighting if you have more than one aspiring artist in the family! Made with water-based ink, it's easily washed out of most fabrics, so you don't need to be nervous leaving your kids with textas for once.

    Buy for $4.50 from Amazon Australia.

    11. This minimalist car track play mat, which will improve your child's hand-to-eye coordination (and possibly the look of their playroom).

    Amazon

    Should your kids play on tiles or floorboards, a rug is a good idea to protect small hands and knees. This car track mat will provide cushioning, while encouraging coordination and imagination in little ones — plus, unlike other similar mats, it's just so pretty!

    Buy now for $30.99 from Amazon Australia.

    12. These sand and water tables, which are a pretty sweet consolation for not being able to go to the beach at the moment.

    Big W

    Should you have the space for it, these sand and water tables are a great way to incorporate water play into your kids' routines (without the accompanying mess all over your floors). When not in use, the water table nestles neatly under the other, saving you space.

    Buy for $189 from Big W.

    13. This rose-pink canopy, which is the perfect start to a reading (or napping) corner.

    Amazon

    If your kids need motivation to read, creating a special area that they will want to spend time in can be helpful. Made from a lightweight cotton-blend material, its a playful addition to bedroom and can be moved to hang over a bed when your little one grows up.

    Buy for $44.99 from Amazon Australia.

    14. And finally, these veggie shape cutters, which will teach your kid shapes and the joy of creating their meals at the same time.

    Amazon

    Constructed from stainless steel with handy pastel-coloured grips, this collection of 13 shaped cutters will make eating fruit and veggies all the more appealing to your offspring. You can also use when decorating biccies, bento boxes — anything and everything you're aiming to get them to eat without struggle.

    Buy for $14.95 from Amazon Australia.

    You and your kids, should you choose to bounce out of this post without buying anything.

    FOX

    Come on, Mum. No one likes Snakes and Ladders that much.

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