Rice!

There are times, the fifth day of indoor weather, for example, when I will resort to just about anything to keep the little ones busy - even if it means creating a royal mess. This is an activity for those days. Luckily it is a dry mess, so it can easily be swept up.

This activity is as simple as filling several bowls and pots with uncooked rice. The kids will have a ball sifting pouring, and measuring the rice with any kitchen tools you provide for them: measuring cups and spoons, strainers, funnels, whisks, cooking spoons, and anything else you might find hiding in your drawers.

You might be surprised how long this activity keeps toddlers and preschoolers busy. If you want to up the entertainment factor a notch, try this: add surprises to the bowls before adding the rice. When I did this with T & G, I added "dinosaur eggs," a.k.a. "Magic Grow" capsules that you put in water until they release a spongy dinosaur. You could add any small toys.

If you are feeling especially brave, you can let the little ones assist in cleanup afterwards. This has real mess potential (or at least wetness), but on days I'm feeling especially desperate - or generous - I go for it. There are times when controlled mess is better than uncontained chaos!

Now, you don't necessarily want to share this with the kids, but as with every activity that engages kids, they are practicing valuable skills:

• math skills like volume & equivalency
• sensory activities help boost brain development
• fine motor skills are needed to pour, sift, etc.
• stimulates imagination
• calming for hyperactive children
• as always, if you talk about this activity later, it promotes language development & vocabulary