"Busy Box" ideas?

[bea_mama]

I need ideas for things to put into a box that my older DD (4 years old) can play with while my younger DD has her at-home therapy sessions.

DD1 loves playing with the therapist (who is awesome - I don't blame her!). Problem is that she really needs to stay out of the room during the therapy session so she doesn't distract her younger sister. It's totally fine for her to come in at the beginning/end for a few minutes - but not for her to monopolize the session.

Anyway, I told her this week (after a somewhat disastrous session on Monday) that we would put together a special box for her that could only come out during therapy. But I'm grasping for ideas that are different from her typical toys.

Any ideas?

Best things would be stuff that little sister (18months) CAN'T play with - small pieces, etc...

Thanks in advance! :)

[firefly]

well honestly, she's going to want to be in the room, what about some movies that, "glues" her to the tv or a computer game. I know that if my younger daughter was having a 'special grown up' come over just for her my older dd would be all over showing the therapist each and every special toy that was in the box, or recounting every. single. thing. that happened since the last visit.

what about hiring a babysitter / mothers helper for that time to play with dd#1 outside or in another room.

[pixielou]

I would probably put things in the box that DD loves - but annoy me. Thus - it would limit the time I have to deal with them! In our house, that would be stickers. And Light Bright.

My DD also loves books. I usually keep a stash of books. So I would probably add a new book to the box each week.

~pixie

[mamax2]

How do you feel about TV/movie time? Honestly, that's what would work best for us. TV is a limited and much-coveted commodity around here, so the thought of watching a 'big girl' movie (perhaps w/a snack her sister can't have, like popcorn) would be a really big treat and good distraction.

Do you have to be present for the therapy session or are you free to take your older DD on a walk or something? What about a mother's helper or something to occupy your DD? Does she have any friends you could invite over for a playdate? Could your DD possibly go to a friend's house for play time and you could trade-off and host the other child later in the week?

I truly can't think of any toys that would distract my DD enough to make her not want to be involved in the therapy session. That would just be too much of a novelty, esp. since it's not like it happens every day, just once a week so it's still 'cool'. It would have to be a movie or another person to fully occupy her, but that's just us.

[dal]

Hey there!!!! I miss you. I will email you in a few...

How about getting a box of beads and string - Alyssa got one from Melissa and Doug and she loves it. Her set has letter beads, number beads and shaped beads. It's cute and keeps her entertained.

Also another thing Alyssa loves that I find hard to do with her when Kailey is around are these flash cards by Brain Quest I think. They have them for all age groups and she could do them all day long with me if I had the time... Maybe someone could do those with her while the therapist is there.

Alyssa is also really into cutting and pasting. Maybe some special scissors and paper and glue.

I'll try to think of more.

[bea_mama]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have to stay at the therapy session, so I can't take DD1 out to entertain her. I'm reluctant to hire a mother's helper for 1 hour 2x per week b/c my kids are in full-time daycare already. But that may be the best option. Something to think about.

I'm ok with TV, and they don't watch a lot of it, so you can bet I've been pushing watching a show (on mommy and daddy's bed! with a snack!) but it's not been working lately.

Sigh. I guess I'd want to hang out with the fun lady who comes to play games too if I was DD.

I did just order some books of paper dolls and I like the lite brite and beads, etc, suggestions. I'd be fine with computer time, but DD always ends up needing help so calls me in from the other room 8 million times an hour (and if we had the computer in the room with DD2 and the therapist, DD2 wouldn't pay attention to her teacher!).

It's challenging - and something our therapist has trouble with in a lot of families too. If I come up with any great ideas, I'll come back and post!

dal- how are you?! I miss you!!! email (or PM) me soon, ok??? I'llhave to check out the Brain Quest flashcards - that sounds like fun, even outside of the therapy situation.

[Sarah]

playdough
connect the dot books or hidden pictures books (the hidden pics ones keep my 5 year old dd quiet for a while
dollhouse
craft stuff- set her up with a safe space (a plastic tablecloth or something), tons of craft stuff, glue sticks, googly eyes, etc.
paints or those magic paints.