Rating: 
Summary: The busy book series, help for the out of ideas parent
Review: Before I had a child I felt that I was a pretty creative person, but I soon realized that I had run out of ideas. It was difficult to figure out projects that my toddler, now preschooler could do and that we could do together. We only recently purchased this book and have done several of the projects. The projects are inexpensive and the things you will need are easy to find. My son and I have enjoyed what we have done so far and look forward to doing many more of the projects listed in the book. The projects are grouped in such categories as "Rainy Day Play", "Outdoor adventures", "Music, Dance and Drama", "Arts and Crafts"... so things to do are easy to find. We love it.
Rating:
Summary: The busy book series, help for the out of ideas parent
Review: Before I had a child I felt that I was a pretty creative person, but I soon realized that I had run out of ideas. It was difficult to figure out projects that my toddler, now preschooler could do and that we could do together. We only recently purchased this book and have done several of the projects. The projects are inexpensive and the things you will need are easy to find. My son and I have enjoyed what we have done so far and look forward to doing many more of the projects listed in the book. The projects are grouped in such categories as "Rainy Day Play", "Outdoor adventures", "Music, Dance and Drama", "Arts and Crafts"... so things to do are easy to find. We love it.
Rating: 
Summary: I hate to be the one to leave a negative review...
Review: but I found this book to be very flimsy. Do we really need yet another recipe for glue, play dough, and other things that can be purchased ready made very cheaply? Out of the 365 "games and activities" in this book, I'd have to say I found maybe 3 to 5 that I might try. Most of the others would pretty much come to any Mom's mind naturally, and a lot of them are just useless.
Rating: 
Summary: Busy Preschooler, Happy Mom!
Review: Great activites in an easy to read, easy to use format. I particularly liked the "Rainy Day Play" and "Out and About" chapters, as well as all the great recipes for everything from home-made silly putty to face paint and peanut butter playdough.It got me enthused again about spending quality time with my child!
Rating:
Summary: Busy Preschooler, Happy Mom!
Review: Great activites in an easy to read, easy to use format. I particularly liked the "Rainy Day Play" and "Out and About" chapters, as well as all the great recipes for everything from home-made silly putty to face paint and peanut butter playdough. It got me enthused again about spending quality time with my child!
Rating:
Summary: A Mother's Sanity Boost.
Review: Hundred's of great, fun, and SIMPLE activities a child can do with limited supervision. I don't know who will enjoy this book more--the child (because of the activities) or the parent (because of the free time and the happily occupied child). Get one today!
Rating:
Summary: Great for anyone who needs a creative boost
Review: I am a working mother with an active, highly imaginative 3 1/2 year old. I used to be a teacher and always prided myself on being able to come up with great lesson plans. But with the fast-paced, frantic lifestyle of a working mother trying to succeed at 3 and four full time jobs (career, mother, wife, housekeeper), I have temporarily lost that creative spark.
I was shocked at myself when I realized I had fallen into the easy TV trap and was encouraging my daughter to watch TV so I'd have some time to take care of all of my things. I knew that something else had to be done, but I couldnt' come up with any great ideas on a spur of the moment, and I didn't have time to sit and figure out activities. This book was an exciting discovery. I have expanded the book's idea of a "crazy can" and developed several categories-including activities she can do by herself while I'm making dinner, paying bills, etc, and do-togethers for quality time together. Everything is already planned out for me, so we can use the time we have on the activities, not planning and wondering what is age-appropriate.
They are simple, engaging, creative, and quick enough that they don't over extend short attention spans. Most of the materials are already on hand. And, they are "Mom-tested". The first time I read this book my daugther was asleep and I wanted to wake her up just to do them because I knew how excited she would be. She loves the activities as much as I expected and I am able to decrease her TV time, and increase her mind, and our time together.
Rating:
Summary: a great resource for caregivers of energetic preschoolers
Review: I have gotten a lot of use out of the author's book for toddlers, and feared this book might contain too much overlap, but I figured it was worth a few dollars to find out and I was pleasantly surprised. This edition dives into math, reading readiness and more challenging crafts. Kudos to the author, who could have been lazy but wasn't! The book is nicely organized and the author writes with humor and affection. A chapter of introduction helps you plan, supply and mentally prepare for those long days when you are running out of ideas, and subsequent chapters organized projects into the following sections: Rainy Day Play; Kids in the Kitchen; Outdoor Adventures; Out and About; Reading, Writing, 'Rithmetic and More; Music, Dance and Drama; Arts and Crafts; and Birthdays and Holidays. Most activities are simple to set up, generally using two to four common household items. Appendices list recipes for basic paints, doughs, glues and clay; activities for a Crazy Can (a random drawing setup implementing activities that aren't messy and need little supervision); gifts children can make; best books for young children; and resources. The index lists projects (but not materials, which would be helpful in later editions). The book subtitle, 365 Creative Games and Activities to Keep Your 3- to 6-Year-Old Busy, says it all. I found quite a few good ideas in this well-organized, friendly guide.
Rating:
Summary: Great Ideas!!
Review: I have gotten alot of use out of this book! Suggests great learning oportunities, such as math, reading readiness, and more... in cheap inexpensive ways! They are simple, engaging, creative, and quick.
Rating:
Summary: Great Resource or Gift
Review: I love these books. I had The Toddler's Busy Book, too. These books are the source of my most admired activities -- people are so impressed when they see a picture of my daughter in our indoor rice crispie "sandbox". (not all the ideas are that bold!)
My daughter had immune problems as a toddler and we were housebound during the winter in a condo with no yard. I don't know what I would have done without these books! I love them so much I buy them as gifts for people. My best gift for a mom who is expecting who already has a child is this book (or the Toddler one if more appropriate), along with a rubbermaid storage box with individual baggies filled with some of the projects ready-to-go. During crazy times or when the older child is bored, she just has to pull out one baggie, I have copied the directions sheet and it is already in the bag with the supplies. My finest gift!!! And not expensive, either.
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