I've found this work extremely well. It only take one or two times to take the box away and they learn really quick. I apply this rule too for Mom and Dad discipline during the trip. Meaning if Mom or Dad put you in time out the box get's taken away too - Not just for you for EVERYBODY.
Here are just a few of the items in our fun box.
1. Color Books from the dollar store/Walmart - Works wonders on a rainy day
Water colors
Crayons
washable markers
2. A variety of kites - about $1.39 each from Walmart
We could make them but just too much work
3. Squirt guns _ if anyone has a problem with Squirt guns omit - None of the parents I'm with have any issues.
1. String fishing line through a solo cup and the kids can try to shoot the cup across the string
batting it with paper plate works really good for the little ones.
2. Stack up solo cups like and shoot them off - Also see #15
4. Paper Plates - I buy the largest pack Walmart has - with a lot of kids in one weekend we can go through a lot.
Suncatchers
Make a maracas (Crayons & Paint) using found pebbles and tape them closed with Popsicle sticks.
5. Yarn for finger knitting - other projects too
6. A pack of glow stick bracelets $9.98 @ Walmart for 50
Use for Ring Toss
See Balloons
7. A pack of Balloons
Tie a glow stick bracelet for a punch ball
8. Create a paddle with paper plate and kids can bat balloons around
9. Empty paper towel and/or toilet paper tubes
Wow what can't you create - we made kaleidoscopes
10. Very cheap handle bags - Buckets work too
Scavenger hunt - I just pasted pictures to the bags (Plastic type ones work best on rainy days)
11. Bucket & Pails
I cut paper fish attached to magnets, we made fishing rods with line, string and paperclips
12. Stickers, glue, feathers, beads, decorative paper etc
See Suncatchers
12A We made walking sticks and decorated them with the string & feathers etc.
13. play dough - nice for rainy days
14. cheap slinky's - the 3 year old's were enamored - What old is new again I guess
15. small ball for bowing - see toilet paper and/or paper towel tubs to use as pins
At night we put the glow stick bracelets around them.
16. Painted rocks to make a tic-tac-toe game
One side ladybug and one side bumble bees
17. Bubbles - Lot's and lots of bubbles. I buy it by the gallons.
18. Yo Yo's
19. Bug cages (fake bugs too)
20. Noise makers for a snipe hunt
21. Playing cards - Go Fish, Old Maid etc..
Glue - Glue - Glue --- the little ones just love to use the Elmer's glue and A lot of it. It's washable and non-toxic. Some of the projects need something more so I use my mini hot glue gun and help out.
Diaper wipes - some of the projects get a little messy and I try my best to keep them clean.
And the kids most favorite - I work in the candy industry and always have a a large box of goodies with me. If the parents say it's okay and the kids have been good for the day they can go into the box and get a treat.