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Penny Pinchin' Mom

*CLOSED* Grateful Giveaways #5: JAKKS Toy Gift Pack

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Comments

  2. teresa says

    I have found that with my grand kids (5 and 2) Play Doh is the greatest thing to keep them busy and to let them really use their imaginations.

  3. dawn h says

    My son loves legos so anytime I give him a bucket of legos he will sit and build for hours.

  8. Andrea Staten says

    tip: Make sure you have plenty of what they love. If your kids are budding artists, keep a steady supply of paper and crayons available. My children can spend hours creating pictures for family and friends! 🙂

  9. Jenni says

    If I break out crayons, glue sticks, paper, and kid scissors, my kids will stay busy for at least 30 min. That cute table would be a perfect place to have them park it to make some art!

  11. Amanda J says

    Both my boys (almost 2 and 3 1/2) love puzzles! It’s a great way to keep them occupied for a little while when I need to get a little housework done! 🙂

  17. Julie says

    I have a desk all set up for my son for coloring and crafts. He loves to create things for friends and family all by himself!

  18. Sarah says

    We do a lot of craft projects, as well as my daughter loves to pretend, so she is in her play kitchen a lot!!

  28. Aubrie says

    My 4 year old likes to get in his sister’s crib and play with her in the mornings while I get ready.

  31. Lindsey says

    To catch a LITTLE break during the day, my son (age 2 yrs) and I go outside on the patio and blow bubbles or he rockes in his rocking chair while his sister (age 6mths) takes a nap. This is a great way to get some fresh air and helps me sit down and just relax for awhile!

  34. Amy K. says

    My kids love drawing with chalk on the driveway. I pull up a camping chair and sit and read while they use their artistic skills.

  39. Chae S. says

    My 2 year old loves to “cook” so if I give him some play doh and and a little bit of water for his pans, I get a solid hour of him playing by himself. It does make a mess but is pretty easy to clean up.

  40. Christine Catlett Ehmke says

    Tip-I put their favorite Disney movie of the week in the DVD player and they are good to go, so that I can at least take a shower and get ready for the day.

  41. Rachel says

    I sit in my chair outside while the kiddos play or I get on the bike downstairs and ride it while they play and watch a show.

  42. Kim McCulley says

    Play-dough or washable markers at the kitchen table are a good distraction for when mom needs to work in the kitchen. Kids like to feel like they’re part of the action!

  44. Karland says

    Oh that’s simple! They are quite entertained with a blank sheet of paper and some crayons. Everyone is happy!

  45. Veronica says

    The X-Box Kinect. Even the baby likes it. Gives me that extra 20 minutes to get whatever I need to get done. Plus since they have to “move” to play I don’t feel guilty about letting them play video games.

  47. Sarah P says

    My daughter is very into coloring so I can get the crayons and coloring books out and she is occupied for quite a while

  66. miamimommie says

    i love this set….it would definitely help with setting up meals as right now, we chase our 2 yr old out of the kitchen while cooking to prevent from getting burned.

  76. Melanie says

    My kids are all a little older (10-15) and we LOVE the Kinect for xbox 360. The kids play active games like Kinect Sports, Dance Central, and Zumba Jam, so they get their exercise while I get other things done.

  79. Jennifer Mack says

    We don’t have much TV time but when I need to get something done, I put in my son’s favorite movie “the Polar Express.”

  81. Danielle Dierenfeldt says

    If my kids can spend time outside then I get a little my time. As long as they have a few toys to stay occupied and play friendly.

  89. Kacy says

    my son is entertained for ALONG time if he has his alphabet blocks and my stock pot and a cooking spoon. He loves to make alphabet soup!

  95. Melissa says

    I have a creativity time that I tell my daughter I need help for 30 mins for her to decorate papers by coloring, and drawing. She always loves helping momma( hehe)

  96. Beth says

    I try to give them some craft time during the afternoon (before nap time) where I lay out crayons paper books stickers etc in the dining room so I can watch wile I work on the dishes, living room , etc. They love it.
    I follow you on email and facebook.

  112. Gina chatterson says

    I love to put in Juno baby DVD to keep my daughter busy so I can get my duties done!

  118. Kimberli says

    My son has recently started learning to use scissors and glue, so I can give him a piece of paper, his scissors and glue at his art desk and he goes to town cutting and gluing – he’s always within my sight but it will keep him entertained for awhile!

  121. Peter Rappe says

    This is an easy one.. it is called daycare.. or as we like to call it “school” (for our 20 month old)

  124. Jessica Faulkner says

    We have a small kids size craft table in the family room that my kids stay occupied at for long periods. We have construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, glitter, beads, buttons and many other items that they can use. Keeps them busy for hours at a time.

  125. Sherrie says

    My son loves to build race tracks, I pull out the bin of tracks and let him build one in the playroom. He can spend forever building different setups.

  129. Danielle Highley says

    Now that the weather is nice, the little one can play in the yard while I relax on the chaise and read a book!

  139. Joleen S says

    Matchbox cars, I keep new ones in my purse, car and in the house. There is alway some place to race them.

  140. emily says

    my daughter loves coloring..i save some coloring books for when i need her to entertain herself

  144. mary says

    Cars, coloring, or playing with playdough is how I keep them entertained if I need to do something for a few minutes.

  147. Stephanie F says

    My kids love to count so I’ll say something like “I need five minutes. Did you know that is 300 seconds? Can you count that high? Let me know when my 300 seconds are over.”

  148. Ray says

    Ah yes, a break would be nice. The closest thing my 21-month old gives me to a break is when we go outside. He loves it outside. Granted I have to go with him but he can entertain himself for 10-15 minutes while I just watch.

  152. Jennifer Hallier says

    I bring out toys that haven’t been played with in a while. It seems to keep them entertained a little longer

  153. Kelly L says

    I just pop in the Tangled DVD and my granddaughter will watch it over and over again. She loves it! Follow you on FB.

    thanks

  159. Jessica Webb says

    My kiddos are a little older now so I am able to just say I need five minutes or a hot bath and they are old enough to entertain themselves. Usually by playing out in the yard or reading in their rooms. It’s a great feeling to be able to do that but I sure do miss those days of sweet snuggly babies!

  161. Jean says

    When I am in the kitchen cooking dinner, I bring in my kids’ (age 2.5 and 4) little table/chairs set. I give them some flour,water, and rolling pins and let them go to town. They feel like they are cooking/baking too!

  162. Angela Gidley says

    My daughter’s only one, so I put her in a small gated area where she can play for a while during my work time. She’s getting used to it, and I don’t have to worry about running over her little fingers in my chair!

  164. Alexis says

    My nephews would LOVE the electronic BD workbench! They follow my brother all around the house..and his rental properties, with their “tools”. This would be a safe way for them to “help out” and not get hurt in the meantime! They certainly don’t stop for a minute!

  171. Jamie Vargas says

    Movies are always good. But lately when I need to work on something like grocery list, I have them make a list too. My kids are 3 and 4 so they are practicing writing their letter anyway. Having them at the table with me also helps me know that they are not getting into something they shouldn’t. 🙂

  174. Melanie says

    Any kind of fun snack will keep my toddler busy for a few minutes! He loves to eat “nacks”! 🙂

  188. Betsy says

    we have 3 shows on nick jr that my daughters will stay glued too!!! it lets me lay on the couch and relax… since i work nights and am up during the day with the girls i need lay down time!!!

  189. beth w says

    I save small little toys (happy meal toys/cereal box toys etc) and then when I need a few minutes, I break one of the new toys/trinkets out and it keeps them entertained for a short time!

  190. Kim says

    My 2.5 year old grandson stays busy for quite awhile when I get out his little table and chair, and give him a large bowl of pasta (dry of course) measuring cups, spoons and small bowls.

  196. Maggie says

    LOL! I don’t really get a break. My break is when I put the kiddos to bed since I work all day and take the evenings as much as I can to see them. This would be fun for the weekends though to play with.

  197. Christine Beasley says

    I give them drawing supplies and materials and ask them to draw me pictures of upcoming activities they want to do or that we can use fto make holiday cards
    bizzley at msn dot com

  198. Cortney H says

    I send them out to ride bikes! I won’t see them for hours if I don’t call them in.

  202. Kristin Lupo says

    depending what Iam doing if it is the kitchen tmy dtr loves to wash dishes in the sink I give her plastic to wash and coloring

  203. Kim F. says

    Since we’re in the process of trying to sell our house so we can move to the city my husband is currently in (working), I have all 3 kids draw pictures, “write” letters and send him these letters. They concentrate on their work so hard and are so quiet, I usually schedule these times when I have an hour long class to teach online. Total silence! 🙂

  206. Sue says

    When I need a few minutes to myself I get out a large sheet of white butcher paper, give m y 2 year old a box of crayons, and let him have at it!! It keeps him occupied for a good 20-30 minutes

  208. Gretchen says

    Giving her a picture to draw for Grandma! She is so detailed she can be busy for minutes!

  217. Jill says

    My kids take my old cell phone and play “rockstar” with my exercise playlist and entertain themselves with good exercise for at least 30 minutes before they are too worn out!

  226. Tabitha Trapasso says

    My son just loves Lego Ninjago!
    I’ll buy him one, store it, then let open it until I need some free time..keeps him occupied for hours.

  227. Kim says

    If the weather is nice….I open the sliding glass door and let my 2 year old out on the deck…I give him a couple of bowls and measuring cups and a couple handfuls of rice, beans or dry pasta. He will stay occupied for quite a while scooping and pouring.

  240. Lisa says

    My son has his own cupboard full of plastic kitchen things so he has plenty to keep him occupied while I cook!

  241. Sharon says

    My favorite tips are to show the kids how to play with a toy in a new way, take out a toy they haven’t played with in awhile or pull out a little surprise that you found at a garage sale.

  247. Megan says

    To keep my 8 month old son entertained while I catch a break, I put him in his walker and he chases our Airedale Terrier around the living room.

  249. Christy says

    favorite distraction for kids – i give them lots of crafty items and tell them whose special birthday is coming up or that the grandparents need another picture for the fridge – they are busy as bees and i save $$ on cards. but i have spent $$ on the postage LOL!

  251. Juliana says

    We play outside! I am amazed at the hours I can get by letting them play in the sandbox!

  271. Angela Myers says

    I will take out special toys that are put away for limited play. . . .markers,fingerpaints, special puzzles. . . . . my girls are so excited, they could care less about me or my attention!

  277. Lisa Carpenter says

    sometimes it’s just giving in (within reason) to whatever it is their little heart desires. LOL 🙂

  282. Julie Loya says

    I have them play outside while I coupon on the laptop…who says mommies get a break~and in my house there is no such thing as quite time! Love my two boys!

  291. Jeni says

    We keep a large beach sized bag full of “quiet time” toys and books. They don’t get to play with them everyday so it is a special treat when it gets pulled out and it keeps them occupied for at least an hour which gives me an hour of mommy time!

  302. Sarah says

    My kids stay busy with a bag filled with trinkets and McDonals toys. Anything they can stuff in a bag and carry around.

  304. MichaelaW says

    Art supplies = quiet time for Mommy in my house. My daughter will paint for hours.

  307. Karie says

    Spend quality time with your kids earlier in the day so when you need some time to yourself they are satisfied (their love tanks are full) and they are more likely to go and play well together or on their own.

  319. Rachelle R says

    i usually just have the kids play in their rooms and i get a few moments to catch up on things and they happily oblige

  335. Rhonda says

    I keep my daughter’s doll house put away so when I get it out for her it is a treat and she is entertained for hours!!

  336. Katie says

    We let our nine month old unroll the toilet paper or hand him an electric toothbrush. He loves both and it gives us a little time.

  337. Tara L says

    My son loves to play with Play doh so I make him some and then let him watch one of his favorite cartoons while he plays with it

  344. Carrie Smart says

    Art supplies: markers, stickers, paint, play-doh always keeps my little entertained so I can have a break

  354. nancy Howell says

    as a grandma I have learn to keep some new stuff put away for those time when i need a break

  359. Joyce Mlinek says

    I pull out some toys that I have packed away for awhile so they can rediscover some of their old favorites.

  363. crystal says

    My kids lov eto color so i will pull out the crayns and coloring books if i need some time. That will keep them occupied for about 30 min which is enough time for me to pull it together lol

  373. Pauline says

    I would pop in one of their favorite movies and all 3 of my daughters would sit and watch it.

  388. Sara Marie says

    I have a few toys put up on the top of the book case and take them down for occations that I need a few minutes to complete a task.

  402. Elena says

    to score a little down time i usually go outside with my daughter and let her play while I open mail or check emails.

  414. Sarah Oppelaar says

    Build a Bear! my daughter will dress the bears over and over again. we just stay stocked with clothes!

  418. Marta Vidal says

    I wear the kids out and then when it comes to time after eating and bathing its nighty night time I get a few minutes alone and then its time for me to go to sleep

  421. kelli says

    My tip for keeping my kids entertained is my sensory tub. It’s a clear tub with either oats, beans, rice, sand, etc. in it as well as cups, spoons, and odds and ends to play with. They usually keep it pretty much in the tub, but I put a plastic table cloth under it to catch any spills. They could play with that for hours!

  425. Brandy Asleson Cockrell says

    We make tents all over the house to play in, this usually keeps my 3 kids occupied for hours!

  430. Heather H says

    We take turns watching each of their favorite movies so I can get a little alone time!

  444. Nichele says

    Movies always are a good distraction or they get to be human dust mops. Old socks/towels on their feet and slide everywhere around the house. I have hardwood floors. They have fun.

  447. Missy says

    Resting with a movie is always a good idea! My boys think they are getting a treat during nap time when we pop in a movie, and they usually stay and play quietly afterwards as well. They think they are fooling me, it’s great!

  450. Mindi says

    I can keep my daughter entertained with anything Dora, and give my son some hot wheels or his DSi or Wii and he is occupied!

  469. Michele Anderson says

    My kids always loved a pad of art paper and a basket full of crayons, markers, stickers and colored pencils

  476. Christine N. says

    My kids LOVE when I put on their favorite DVD, The Backyardigans~! They are entertained & I get a moment to collect myself, ahhhhh~!

  496. Deanna Lacks says

    Playdough! It can be easy if you store all your molds in a bucket and only allow 2 colors at a time. Once they know the rules it will keep them busy for 30 min to an hour

  510. evelyn goettner says

    I like to give them a really hard puzzle to do. Keeps them busy for hours lol.

    egoettner(at)yahoo(dot)com

  512. evelyn goettner says

    I like you on facebook as Evelyn Wakefield Goettner.
    I follow you on twitter as @evie197580.

    egoettner(at)yahoo(dot)com

  530. nan says

    i break out the memory game cause he likes to do it all himself and show me how smart he is
    NANNYPANPAN AT GMAIL.COM

  532. Jennifer P says

    Depending on which kid & what time of day it is, they like to draw or watch Disney or Nickelodeon.

  540. Joseph Wade says

    Hide and Seek……count to 100. You are playing a game with your kids and still getting a break.

  548. Carol L says

    I always bought toys and games and kept them hidden away until I needed some time to relax . I’d bring them out only at this time and my kids thought they had new toys/games and it kept them occupied enough to allow me soe time to relax which wasn’t often with 7 kids.
    Carol L
    [email protected]

  551. Jessica D says

    I let the kids play educational games on my phone (especially useful at Doctor’s appointments or at the DMV). At home, they could play with playdoh for HOURS! 🙂

  553. alcee clayborne says

    My favorite tip to get a little me time is my daughter invites one friend over they get one tv show and then out to the backyard to play.

  557. Sharon C says

    I have my older son take some time to play with his younger brothers so I can get a little work done around the house!

  560. patty says

    when I need to get dishes, laundry or housework done or take a shower I put my 4 month old in his floor gym he loves it!

  565. Samantha says

    When all else fails I turn to bubbles! Inside or outside they keep them busy forever!

    I also follow you on Facebook!

  567. Courtney says

    Bathtime! He loves playing in the tub, so sometimes we take our bath a little early if mommy needs a break.

  571. cathy says

    play-dough! it keeps them busy for at least 30 mins…enough time to get dinner in the oven!

  572. Paula Earlywine says

    ohhhhh….my grandchildren would think you were the best and me a close runner up over THIS!!!

  573. Dorothy F. says

    My daughter loves play dough, so that will keep her going for about half hour or so, enough time to cook dinner or do some laundry.

  576. Owen's Mom says

    I keep a stash of special toys in the closet… art supplies, play-doh, etc. It only comes out when I need a break. It keeps them very happy and busy!

  584. Julie says

    I like to give my boys a pile of old magazines. They can either cut pics out or use a marker and circle things they like. My older son also likes to be given a letter and he has to cut our pics that begin with that letter. Keeps them busy!

  591. Jessica T. says

    My son loves to play in the big dirt pile in our yard. It’s messy, but it gives me a break.

  597. Bonnie Lacroix says

    I get out the crayons/pens/etc and some paper for my daughter to draw on and I get a couple minutes of free time.

  607. Kimbuckjr says

    MANDATORY ENTRY: My tip for scoring an hour or two (if I’m lucky) of ‘FREE’ time while my daughter is off and playing safely is inviting a friend of her’s over and have them play in the playroom upstairs where I can still hear & see them playing occassionaly. If a friend is not available to play with, I can usually get my daughter to sit down for an hour and a half to watch a G rated movie. ‘IF’ I’m lucky!!!
    [email protected]