Need a few minutes??

When I need a half hour kid free, but the kids are crawling all over me, I have a fail proof go to activity that keeps them busy and lets me get some things done.  It doesn't cost anything more than some flour, but you will pay for it a bit with the clean up. I set it up outside, so I can just wash away the mess, and strip the kids down before they come inside to minimize the mess:)

All you need is some flour, a variety of bowls and containers (I always throw in a muffin tin), and a variety of scoopers - measuring spoons, small cups etc.  Just let the kids transfer flour from one place to another.  

You can call this a tactile exercise, allowing the kids to feel a different substance and stimulate the sense of touch, but I just know it keeps them entertained.  And I love watching them try to formulate a plan and then execute it, such as how to get the flour out of the muffin tins and back into a bowl.  It's harder than it sounds:)