by Petro Maritz

Created on: February 02, 2009

My two year old is sick today, and is sitting right next to me as I read the title "Inexpensive ways to keep children occupied." My son is playing with a jar filled with buttons. I cannot think of anything cheaper than that, yet he loves it and it has kept him still for almost an hour now.

The idea came from my grandmother. When we were children, we would have to spend the day with her if we were too sick to go to school. On days like these she would treat us with special things like hot cacao and her jar with buttons. She collected all the buttons off old clothing before recycling it (an old habit she developed during the War). The buttons was added to the dedicated jar for reuse, and to keep sick children busy.

Since when should it cost a lot of money to keep children busy? When did our societies changed so much that even the way we keep our children occupied have to proof to the world that we can afford it'. Maybe its time we go back to times when money was scares and children were happy. Some very useful ideas can be collected from times before videogames and mobile phones.

Balls have been used for ages to keep children happy for hours. Children from as young as six months can be kept entertained with it. Balls can keep groups of children occupied for hours and individuals can play to banish boredom. Simple balls are cheap and readily available. Ball sports are excellent to develop muscular and co-ordination in children and are a healthy way of getting some exercise.

On rainy days I suggest old magazines and scissors. Although this may give off some mess, it is a clever way to keep your children busy and your wallet closed. Give assignments that are appropriate for your child's age. While a two year old can search for a flower or a colour, a fourteen year old can compile a whole file on the latest use of green in fashion, or how to redecorate her bedroom. The act of cutting out and pasting develops the fine muscles in your child's hands. It also develops fine hand eye co-ordination. As a bonus your child may just develop a love of information and books.

You can also encourage your children to read. Although buying books are an expensive business, there's no rule saying that you have to buy it. Take the children to the closes library. Help your child to find books that will spike their interest. Interesting subjects will keep them focused and help develop a love of books and reading. Children who like to read study significantly easier than children who don't.

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