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

~ Barbara Nielsen (Author), Patrick Wallace (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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.

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.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: MacMillan Publishing Company (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 (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,997,797 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I feel like this book was written for me!, July 11, 1999

By	Lori N. Terzi "Library Science student" (Stockton, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As the busy mother of two active boys, I need all of the inspiration I can get. The material is presented in such a practical, yet humorous way, that I couldn't put the book down. There's a list of generally inexpensive products to keep around (I was delighted to find that I already have many of them, since they are regular household objects). This is a big help when you get to a particular chapter with great ideas and want to try them immediately.

I also liked the lists throughout the book labelled "Complete Waste of Time" or "The Worst Thing to Do"--I hadn't thought about storing glue in an empty yogurt container, but you can bet I won't now!

Even though I've only had the book for a few days, I've already tried some of the ideas:"Imagine That! They're Working!" and "Box City".

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

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

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.