What can two 12 year old girls do during the day time at home?!
Question: besides computer tv swimming and going outside!
Answers: besides computer tv swimming and going outside!
if you have the library (or a good bookstore) try to find a 365 activity book for kids. while some of the suggestions would be for younger kids, there are lots of creative ideas for the older ages too.
personally i think you should challenge them to do something "grown up" each day.
for instance, let them plan a menu one day, and flip through cookbooks to find the recipes to make whatever it is that sounds yummy. then make the shopping list (after first checking the cupboards and refigerator).
if you have them choose "no-bake" items, they can actually do the "cooking" themselves (no microwave, no oven or stove). if they have adult supervision and help they can do real cooking or baking. or if you have a crockpot, they could probably cook the items with no danger.
another adult thing you could have them do is to grow something. a little potting soil and a pack of seeds. let them choose plants with pretty flowers or vegetables the whole family can enjoy, and tending to the plants would be fun.
then i would let them plan an activity night for the family. let them choose what games (card games would be easy, or board games, or charades), and pick the refreshments (homemade koolaid, microwave popcorn or nachos with salsa and dip) and make prizes for the "winner" (if you want to get elaborate).
another night let them plan "movie" night with a rental of a current movie (Enchanted) would be good, with snacks and all the lights dimmed.
during the day have them help you with the household maintenance, with a bonus, if they do something well, you will reward them with a treat (it could be their favorite ice cream, some pocket money or a pizza, whatever you think would be appropriate). girls that age can easily clean out and organize your cupboards, do light laundry, clean out the car and wash it (while wearing swimsuits and splashing each other) and other things.
while planning your activities for the girls, keep them informed about much of it, but keep some of it a surprise, so that way, each day there will be something fresh and new.
if you get the packages of seeds, for instance, put them in a sealed envelope and let each girl choose a pack.
go to the store and get sugar free gum or healthy snacks that they like and each day set out a little bag with that day's "treat" inside.
one day it could be a dollar store puzzle, another day it could be dollar store bubble bath, another day glow sticks so they can run around after dark having fun, and another day a dvd you rented especially for them.
what is important is that you keep things fresh and new so the kids don't fall into the trap of everyday the same thing the same thing. you want them to be active and engaged, not on the computer all day.
so offer a variety, but make it each day at a time, maybe set out a calendar, every monday is mom's night off from cooking, so the girls make sandwiches for everyone, and each monday you choose different sandwhich ingredients for the girls to make creative sandwiches for you and the family.
anyways, hope this helped. start with a notebook and write down your ideas.
paint your nails?
order pizza
use your imagination and make up a game. I used to do that all the time when I was bored. Or try painting or drawing. Maybe a role-playing game like Legend of the Five Rings.
listen to music
go to school
party, cooking, finding junk and makign use of it.
play with dolls!
play a board game or just chat.
scrap booking photos and making special memory books.
Clean house (including their rooms), make meals, read, practice an instrument if they play one, do homework, play board games, make popcorn and watch movies for an afternoon, invite friends over for lunch, do arts/sewing stuff if they're crafy, do laundry, do girly things such as painting nails, experiment with make-up, go through old clothes to donate....
bake some brownies.. I'm sure you're old enough to use an oven and clean after yourselves... you can also rent movies.. you can look through your old yearbooks and laugh and reminisce on all the good times.. there are a lot of things you can do.
You could read a book, as it is a very constructive thing to do. If it is interesting then you will get absorbed into reading the book, and time will fly by.
Okay well last year when i was 12, i liked going outside, swimming, tv and the computer i mean those are the most best things to do when ur 12 But if there is a good reason for not going outside then they should be able to go somewhere like a dancing class or something. why don't you ask them what they like to do maybe draw, or using their imagination .. while they still have one that is. You could by a instruments and they could learn how to use them, theirs alot of things 12 yr old kids can do.