Customer Reviews

Preschooler's Busy Book: 365 Creative Games & Activities To Occupy 3-6 Year Olds

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have gotten a lot of use out of the author's book for toddlers, and feared this book might contain too much overlap, but I figured it was worth a few dollars to find out and I was pleasantly surprised. This edition dives into math, reading readiness and more challenging crafts. Kudos to the author, who could have been lazy but wasn't!

The book is nicely organized and the author writes with humor and affection. A chapter of introduction helps you plan, supply and mentally prepare for those long days when you are running out of ideas, and subsequent chapters organized projects into the following sections: Rainy Day Play; Kids in the Kitchen; Outdoor Adventures; Out and About; Reading, Writing, 'Rithmetic and More; Music, Dance and Drama; Arts and Crafts; and Birthdays and Holidays. Most activities are simple to set up, generally using two to four common household items. Appendices list recipes for basic paints, doughs, glues and clay; activities for a Crazy Can (a random drawing setup implementing activities that aren't messy and need little supervision); gifts children can make; best books for young children; and resources. The index lists projects (but not materials, which would be helpful in later editions).

The book subtitle, 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to 6-Year-Old Busy, says it all. I found quite a few good ideas in this well-organized, friendly guide.

I am a working mother with an active, highly imaginative 3 1/2 year old. I used to be a teacher and always prided myself on being able to come up with great lesson plans. But with the fast-paced, frantic lifestyle of a working mother trying to succeed at 3 and four full time jobs (career, mother, wife, housekeeper), I have temporarily lost that creative spark.

I was shocked at myself when I realized I had fallen into the easy TV trap and was encouraging my daughter to watch TV so I'd have some time to take care of all of my things. I knew that something else had to be done, but I couldnt' come up with any great ideas on a spur of the moment, and I didn't have time to sit and figure out activities. This book was an exciting discovery. I have expanded the book's idea of a "crazy can" and developed several categories-including activities she can do by herself while I'm making dinner, paying bills, etc, and do-togethers for quality time together. Everything is already planned out for me, so we can use the time we have on the activities, not planning and wondering what is age-appropriate.

They are simple, engaging, creative, and quick enough that they don't over extend short attention spans. Most of the materials are already on hand. And, they are "Mom-tested". The first time I read this book my daugther was asleep and I wanted to wake her up just to do them because I knew how excited she would be. She loves the activities as much as I expected and I am able to decrease her TV time, and increase her mind, and our time together.

I ordered the two books together and they are highly recommended. Ms. Kuffner doesn't repeat (much) in the books so it's worth it to have both. My 3 year old and his 11 year old sister love the activities in this book as well as many adults who have played with us.

I have been using both books to put together a homeschool preschool program for my 2 sons, and they're great for that.

I get a TON of ideas from Preschooler's Busy Book by Trish Kuffner. I'm a home daycare provider and I'm always looking for ideas to do with my daycare kids. I don't know what I would do with out this book. It'a MUST have for home daycare providers and parents of small kids

This book has been a saving grace. I have a very active todler, and just had a new baby. This book offers great ideas for keeping my todler busy and entertained. My favorites are "Rainy Day Play" and "Out and About." These activities are easy to prepare and convenient to take along on errands and/or Dr. Visits.

Hundred's of great, fun, and SIMPLE activities a child can do with limited supervision. I don't know who will enjoy this book more--the child (because of the activities) or the parent (because of the free time and the happily occupied child). Get one today!

I love these books. I had The Toddler's Busy Book, too. These books are the source of my most admired activities -- people are so impressed when they see a picture of my daughter in our indoor rice crispie "sandbox". (not all the ideas are that bold!)
My daughter had immune problems as a toddler and we were housebound during the winter in a condo with no yard. I don't know what I would have done without these books!

I love them so much I buy them as gifts for people. My best gift for a mom who is expecting who already has a child is this book (or the Toddler one if more appropriate), along with a rubbermaid storage box with individual baggies filled with some of the projects ready-to-go. During crazy times or when the older child is bored, she just has to pull out one baggie, I have copied the directions sheet and it is already in the bag with the supplies. My finest gift!!! And not expensive, either.

This book has ideas for activities for preschoolers that don't take a long time to set up. They are short enough for a preschooler's short attention span and yet if they really are enjoying the activity it can keep them busy for a longer period of time. My son really enjoyed painting with marbles, the alphabet clothespin game and of course homemade bubbles. It puts together all of those recipes for bubbles, playdough, clay, paper mache and homemade silly putty into one book. I wasn't that creative at coming up with things for my son to do and this book really helped me with that.

Before I had a child I felt that I was a pretty creative person, but I soon realized that I had run out of ideas. It was difficult to figure out projects that my toddler, now preschooler could do and that we could do together. We only recently purchased this book and have done several of the projects. The projects are inexpensive and the things you will need are easy to find. My son and I have enjoyed what we have done so far and look forward to doing many more of the projects listed in the book. The projects are grouped in such categories as "Rainy Day Play", "Outdoor adventures", "Music, Dance and Drama", "Arts and Crafts"... so things to do are easy to find. We love it.

Great activites in an easy to read, easy to use format. I particularly liked the "Rainy Day Play" and "Out and About" chapters, as well as all the great recipes for everything from home-made silly putty to face paint and peanut butter playdough.

It got me enthused again about spending quality time with my child!