The Siblings’ Busy Book: Fun for all ages (even parents!)

Rainy days. In our house it’s a guilt-free pass to turn on the TV inthe middle of the afternoon. But usually that’s because we lack thecreativity to come up with something else that’s fun for our kids–ages18 mos. to five–to do.

The Siblings’ Busy Book($9.95), written by identical twin sisters Lisa Hanson (a children’syoga and gymnastics instructor) and Heather Kempskie (editor of Parents & Kids),offers tons of activities to keep kids (the book targets 9 mos. to 9years) busy. You may already be familiar with the rest of their Busy Books.

All you need to provide is supplies and help. A few of our favorites:

• Faces Fit for a Frame: Uses old CD cases and arts and craft supplies to make an adorable frame. (Also an excellent made present for grandparents.)
• Phone Book Fun: We hardly use ours. The Busy Book tears themapart for babies, preschoolers and older kids and gives them each a fungame to play with their section.
• Leaf Place Mats: We’ll do this on in the Fall. The kids gooutside and collect leaves and glue them onto cut paper grocery bags.Then put the page between contact paper and trim.

This book is more than just for rainy days. It combats the age-old"I’m bored!" and provides activities for playdates to keep big kidsbusy and little brothers and sisters from feeling left out.

A tip: The Siblings’ Busy Book is thick with ideas, brokendown into themed sections. It’s still a lot to comb through. Hit theindex section in the back first for activities that catch your eye.

–Danielle D.