Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours...

Pursegrrl · Sep 1st, 2007, 06:59 PM

Hey all, not sure if this is the right place for this post but here goes:

Next weekend I have to host a HOA meeting in my house (long story), so along with having about 20 adults over to review some HOA business, one of my neighbors (who is also a good friend) has to bring her 10 yr old step daughter over to the house as well (long logistics story, I'll spare the details).

The step daughter is a little rambunctious at times and so along with talking to my friend about how to keep her entertained I was wondering if you guys had some ideas on a small gift or something I could get her to read, crafts, anything to keep her occupied. Or, should I just let her use my computer and be done with it? I don't want her distracting the meeting and I do have 3 rooms upstairs where she could hang out but I'm at a loss for ideas.

Any other ideas? TIA!

Pursegrrl · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:17 PM

Oh and I will add I don't have a TV in the upstairs area where she would be hanging out...

cherry pie · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:18 PM

three words
.

.

.

high school musical

Pursegrrl · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherry pie

three words
.

.

.

high school musical

I know, seriously! I forgot to post in my OP that I don't have a TV where she'll be hanging out, sorry...

exotikittenx · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:28 PM

Buy some fun beads and string, and maybe a clasp that is easy to tie on and she can make necklaces and bracelets! Or craft string- I have no idea what it is called that she can "knot" (hope you know what I am referring to) to make bracelets, or even gimp. That is good for at LEAST an hour of fun.

Colored pencils and a sketch book.

Maybe a stamping kit and paper.

All this stuff is probably available at a Craft store or even Walmart.

exotikittenx · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:32 PM

Oh, and Babysitters Club Little Sister books? I used to love those.

Also at bookstores sometimes they have diaries with pages to fill out that are already designated topics- like "My best friend" or "What I did today" or "My favorite memory" or whatever. That would be a fun gift.

Check this page out, too
http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/toys...?PID=15516&z=y

Pursegrrl · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:35 PM

^^ thank you so much, great ideas!!

twinkle.tink · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:41 PM

It's hard, because kids are so different.

Honestly though, if I had to bring my child along to a meeting (and have had to in the past), I would make sure they had plenty to do and a strong admonishment to behave.

If you do want to provide something; a computer is a good option (and if you have even a fairly new one, it should play DVDs..that solves the TV problem), I like the beads idea too. Crosswords and puzzles might work. I used to like paperdolls, and if they still make them, the ones you have to cut out gives you some 'craft' and then something to play with.

Good luck :)

Pursegrrl · Sep 1st, 2007, 07:45 PM

^^ thanks, Tink!! DOH my laptop here plays DVDs but I never play 'em on here so that is a great idea!!

Thank you all so much for your suggestions!!

caliprincess · Sep 2nd, 2007, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherry pie

three words
.

.

.

high school musical

When I saw this post I just couldn't help but laugh out loud! My kids are driving me crazy watching this every single minute of the day!

You need to get this in the computer before she even comes over! Or if she wants to play on your computer, www.clubpenguin.com is a good website to go on. Either that or webkinz. My kids can be on those sites all day long if they're allowed to.

acegirl · Sep 2nd, 2007, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by exotikittenx

Buy some fun beads and string, and maybe a clasp that is easy to tie on and she can make necklaces and bracelets! Or craft string- I have no idea what it is called that she can "knot" (hope you know what I am referring to) to make bracelets, or even gimp. That is good for at LEAST an hour of fun.

That's exactly what I was thinking! There are these little craft kits 'especially for girls' at Target (& elsewhere I'm sure..) where they can make all sorts of beaded jewelry.

gillianna · Sep 2nd, 2007, 03:09 PM

The bead kit is great. Tuesday Morning had some great kits these past few weeks. If you have one near you it is worth the trip.

TejasMama · Sep 4th, 2007, 06:56 PM

I know that bead kits are great for girls that age. Also, if you have a portable DVD player, she would watch High School Musical in the room. A notepad, colored pencils, stickers and stamps would be a great choice, too....

It's very thoughtful of you to come up with ideas.

asa · Sep 7th, 2007, 11:54 PM

How about a 10 year old boy??? j/k

Doesn't your friend have stuff to bring? If not, I wouldn't let her surf the internet, but DVDs on the computer would be good. Also, cute stationery works--she can write to out of town friends and relatives.

Good luck!

Sep 1st, 2007, 06:59 PM	#1
Pursegrrl Oh! That Joe! Location: Seattle	Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... Hey all, not sure if this is the right place for this post but here goes: Next weekend I have to host a HOA meeting in my house (long story), so along with having about 20 adults over to review some HOA business, one of my neighbors (who is also a good friend) has to bring her 10 yr old step daughter over to the house as well (long logistics story, I'll spare the details). The step daughter is a little rambunctious at times and so along with talking to my friend about how to keep her entertained I was wondering if you guys had some ideas on a small gift or something I could get her to read, crafts, anything to keep her occupied. Or, should I just let her use my computer and be done with it? I don't want her distracting the meeting and I do have 3 rooms upstairs where she could hang out but I'm at a loss for ideas. Any other ideas? TIA! __________________

Sep 1st, 2007, 07:17 PM	#2
Pursegrrl Oh! That Joe! Location: Seattle	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... Oh and I will add I don't have a TV in the upstairs area where she would be hanging out... __________________

Sep 1st, 2007, 07:18 PM	#3
cherry pie Member Location: cloud 9	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... three words . . . high school musical

Sep 1st, 2007, 07:28 PM	#5
exotikittenx Ooh la la! Location: The City of Plain 'n Proper	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... Buy some fun beads and string, and maybe a clasp that is easy to tie on and she can make necklaces and bracelets! Or craft string- I have no idea what it is called that she can "knot" (hope you know what I am referring to) to make bracelets, or even gimp. That is good for at LEAST an hour of fun. Colored pencils and a sketch book. Maybe a stamping kit and paper. All this stuff is probably available at a Craft store or even Walmart. __________________ Please check out my collection! Click here.

Sep 1st, 2007, 07:32 PM	#6
exotikittenx Ooh la la! Location: The City of Plain 'n Proper	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... Oh, and Babysitters Club Little Sister books? I used to love those. Also at bookstores sometimes they have diaries with pages to fill out that are already designated topics- like "My best friend" or "What I did today" or "My favorite memory" or whatever. That would be a fun gift. Check this page out, too http://gifts.barnesandnoble.com/toys...?PID=15516&z=y __________________ Please check out my collection! Click here.

Sep 1st, 2007, 07:35 PM	#7
Pursegrrl Oh! That Joe! Location: Seattle	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... ^^ thank you so much, great ideas!! __________________

Sep 1st, 2007, 07:41 PM	#8
twinkle.tink Pixie Duster Location: Just call me Tink ;)	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... It's hard, because kids are so different. Honestly though, if I had to bring my child along to a meeting (and have had to in the past), I would make sure they had plenty to do and a strong admonishment to behave. If you do want to provide something; a computer is a good option (and if you have even a fairly new one, it should play DVDs..that solves the TV problem), I like the beads idea too. Crosswords and puzzles might work. I used to like paperdolls, and if they still make them, the ones you have to cut out gives you some 'craft' and then something to play with. Good luck :) __________________

Sep 1st, 2007, 07:45 PM	#9
Pursegrrl Oh! That Joe! Location: Seattle	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... ^^ thanks, Tink!! DOH my laptop here plays DVDs but I never play 'em on here so that is a great idea!! Thank you all so much for your suggestions!! __________________

Sep 2nd, 2007, 03:09 PM	#12
gillianna Member	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... The bead kit is great. Tuesday Morning had some great kits these past few weeks. If you have one near you it is worth the trip.

Sep 4th, 2007, 06:56 PM	#13
TejasMama Member	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... I know that bead kits are great for girls that age. Also, if you have a portable DVD player, she would watch High School Musical in the room. A notepad, colored pencils, stickers and stamps would be a great choice, too.... It's very thoughtful of you to come up with ideas. __________________ ____________________________ "Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." --Albert Einstein ____________________________ I just my Belen Echandia!

Sep 7th, 2007, 11:54 PM	#14
asa Member	Re: Help me keep a 10 yr old girl entertained in my house for a couple hours... How about a 10 year old boy??? j/k Doesn't your friend have stuff to bring? If not, I wouldn't let her surf the internet, but DVDs on the computer would be good. Also, cute stationery works--she can write to out of town friends and relatives. Good luck!