School holidays next week and we are having a Mothers Group 'reunion' at my house. It looks like it's going to be pretty crappy weather so my plan to push the kids outside won't work... I will have 5 boys/girls who are 3.5yo, 3 boys between 13-16months and a newborn...oh and the mums and a dad I think.

Anyway, we will deal with the younger kids but does anyone have some ideas to keep the older ones busy and out of our hair? We haven't caught up for a while and would love to actually manage a conversation. I also need to try and contain them to 1 or 2 rooms as once they head out of the family area they all want to go upstairs which I don't mind when it's only 1 or 2 kids but not when it ends up being 8....


So far, all I can think of is setting up DD's tent, and bringing in the small outdoor climbing thing we have. We have a lot of glass in the room - I was thinking of buying those markers that are made for glass and supposedly you can wipe off...(has anyone tried these?).

I would be really grateful for any ideas....

Playdough....yes it does make a mess but will keep the kids occupied for ages and nothing that a vaccuum can't fix up later. Get some rolling pins and cookie cutter or playdough shape cutters. Just make a stack in different colours and it doesn't matter if they try to eat it!

Colouring in/drawing but must really be closely supervised for that one, unless you want it all over the walls.

Blocks/duplo also keeps them busy for a long time.

Personally I wouldn't use the markers on the windows as they will probably go for the walls as well. and it also says it is ok to draw on windows!!

Not sure how much money you want to spend, but we have a small jumping castle cost us about 200 from the toy shop (we use it all the time so worth it). We have a large loungeroom and we have set it up inside a few times. The kids that age love it and jump all morning.

Just put them out in the rain, they will love it!!