Keep Your Kids Busy the Lazy Way (Macmillan Lifestyles Guide) [Paperback]

Barbara Nielsen (Author), Patrick Wallace (Author)

Book Description

Series: Macmillan Lifestyles Guide

Here are all the hassle-free tricks you need to keep your kids creative, get them moving and motivated, and make sure parenting is always as much fun as it should be.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

With Keep Your Kids Busy The Lazy Way, you can get your kids off the couch and into adventurous fun--without having to turn yourself into a full-time coach and activity planner. Let's see what's inside:

Simply Survive Weather Days: turn those cramped, rainy weekends with the kids into fun-filled hours with just a few quick tips.

Make 'Em Cheer for Chores: At last they'll help around the house and love it! Just a few simple techniques can turn any work into lots of fun.

Hassle-free Crafts: Ideas for making all kinds of fun stuff without making a mess.

Playful Parenting: Learn dozens of simple tricks and mind games that you can use to keep your kids patient and happy in dreary situations, such as long lines, waiting rooms, and car rides.

Learn the Lazy Way to...

Create a Box of Full-Time Fun--toss old clothes, hats, and costume jewelry in a box. At a whim your kids can play dress-up or put on a play.

Spark Instant Inspiration--give each of your kids some old newspapers and a pencil with an eraser. Show them how easy it is to erase parts of a newspaper photo and fill in the blanks with humorous details.

Keep Track of the Kids' Collectibles--empty egg cartons are a handy way to organize seeds, rocks, shells, and other outdoor treasures.

About the Author

Barbara Nielsen
American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and Travel Journalists Guild

Until my son came along, I was a busy freelance writer specializing in adventure travel stories. Many of the tips and tricks in this book were invented as I struggled to find ways to mix a writing career with being a mother. They worked! In the nine years since my son was born I've written this book and three others: Hummingbird Gardens (Chapters Publishing, 1996, (coauthor), Night Creatures (W.H. Smith, 1990) and The Great Barrier Reef (W.H. Smith, 1991). I've also continued my magazine career, although now I often write about having fun with kids.

Patrick Wallace
Writers Guild of America, East

Like my wife, I've had to find creative ways to keep our son involved and active when I'm desperately busy writing. These little tricks have helped me to write thousands of television, radio, newspaper and direct mail advertising pieces, script over 40 major television programs for companies like Dow, Exxon U.S.A., the State of Louisiana and others, and, in addition to this book, write another called Volcanoes (Gallery Books, 1991) and still have my son ask me the other day, in all seriousness, "Why don't you work for a living like other kids' dads?" Hurray for the Lazy Way!

Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Distribution (May 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028630130
• ISBN-13: 978-0028630137
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,430,823 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Keep Your Kids Busy the Lazy Way (Macmillan Lifestyles Guide) (Paperback)

My 4 year old granddaughter and I are having so much fun using the ideas in this book. Most ideas are inexpensive and easy to do, and new, or with a new twist. It helps using their organizing tips too. I used their ideas for the 'Little World Box' and the 'Craft Box'. We also created a box for water fun, and one for dress-up. There are plenty of activities that can be done with a child, or that children can do in their own. The activities encourage original thought and creativity. This book is well organized, fun to read, and I recommend it HIGHLY to all parents, grandparents and child care providers.

5.0 out of 5 stars We love the games and ideas in this book., July 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Keep Your Kids Busy the Lazy Way (Macmillan Lifestyles Guide) (Paperback)

My 7 year old really loved the games and ideas in this book, and so have I! They're easy and fast. I tried Truth or Lie while we were waiting for the doctor and we've been playing it ever since. There are just lots of fun (and funny) things in the book. It's tough keeping an only child busy, believe me, but this book is the best thing I've ever found. My son even helps me cook now! Cindy Levy, New Orleans, La.