Pretend Salon, Marker Wars, and Toddler Lawn Care
some free printables + how toddlers can pretend to cut hair
Hello! We’ve got some random and fun ideas for kids of all ages today (plus some pretty printables!) I hope you enjoy!
Marker Wars
Today’s first idea could also be called “Cheaper Than Nerf Wars” 😅 The premise is simple: each person begins with clean skin and is armed with a washable marker. When the game is declared to begin, the warriors must try to mark other players on the arm. If you get hit between your elbow and your wrist, you lose that arm. If you lose both arms, you are out for that round. It’s a fun way to get the wiggles and giggles out, no matter how old you are!
Toddler Lawn Care
If you want to indulge your toddler or preschooler’s desire to use scissors freely, invite them to cut the grass! Like, to literally cut the grass.
It’s also fun to give them a bowl of water and some measuring cups (or even spoons) and ask them to water the plants and grass! It can’t hurt, right?
For the sake of cuteness, you can even try to teach them to say something like “[Child’s Name] Lawn Care Business, how can I help you?” (which, for my toddler, would sound like “Zay-Zay Lawn Biniss, how help yewww?”)
Pretend Play Salon
I write as someone who isn’t very girly, doesn’t get manicures, and I’ve never had my hair dyed at a salon. But I think this is a great activity because it helps kids have a heart of service toward others.
Pretending to have a salon helps a kid’s interpersonal communication, fine motor skills, and creativity. Also, it’s fun! It’s fun to help other people feel special. When the kids go the extra mile to create a truly luxurious spa experience, they’re not doing it out of obligation but because they like being thoughtful! It’s empowering to know that you have the ability to create a peaceful environment.
Printables
Here are some printables for you: a welcome sign, hairstyle menu, and coupons!
This—and maybe providing a little bottle of lotion—should serve as a nice launching point for your kids to introduce their own creativity as they put together their salon, and you never know…they might genuinely help you relax!
Giant Nail Painting Bar
Break down some cardboard and spread it out. Have the kids trace their hands, draw nails, then let them paint with Q-tips! I like to use paper plates as paint palettes for easy cleanup. Invite the kids to draw jewelry and cool designs too. My kids even started tracing their feet!
Hopefully you enjoyed these ideas!
Warmly,
Hope from Family Scripts
P.S. Here’s a cute picture of my toddler trying to actually mow the lawn.
This was super cute from beginning to end.
(Another idea for toddlers and scissors is a children’s garden. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just an area where they are free to cut anything/everything. Having their own flowers means so much… and often protects the rest of the landscaping!)
My kids actually set up a “spa” for me last Saturday. I received a massage, manicure, and hairstyle. Definitely a fun activity