Grocery Games for your Preschooler & $100 of FREE Groceries
JDaniel’s Mom had a great guest post from when I was on maternity leave, it was brilliant. She used colored paint chips and had a color hunt grocery game that she did with her preschooler, Daniel. We adapted it slightly last week when we were at the new Save-A-Lot that opened in Grand Prairie, TX. Many thanks to LeeAnn, from Mommy’s Wishlist, for joining in our game (and mostly helping to keep me sane, Baby K was pretty cranky!). The kids each picked a color from our paint chip collection and would tell me when they found an object that matched their color.
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Save-a-lot also had a game idea that they had some local kids play (not mine as much as the Quirky Kids wanted to, the photo is staged). Basically, the store made cards of typical items to put into a family’s cart. Then local kids raced to see who could fill their carts up with the items first. I could easily see this game being adapted for a family. I might just print pictures of the items we are shopping for and have my kiddos fill the cart for us next time we are out!
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How you enter for a chance to receive 100$ worth of groceries at a Save-A-Lot Grocery store near you:
- Leave your tip on how you wrangle your preschoolers while shopping
- Tell someone about this giveaway! There is no limit to the number of entries you can make with this option – be sure to link to me so I can find it.
- Go join my friend Alyssa in her challenge of generosity and thanksgiving, 30-Day Giving Challenge. Be sure to tell me how your following!
- …and of course follow QM on Facebook, twitter or wherever else you can find me.
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Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. Winner will be chosen randomly next week.
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Disclosure: For my participation in this post, I got to meet Julie (a super sweet PR gal!) and get a cart of groceries. The kids enjoyed eating their Oreos! Thanks Save-a-Lot!
Today we played “Skip to my Lou” through the grocery store! 🙂
I follow you on twitter and facebook. I also follow the 30 day challenge on facebook. Twittering your giveaway now!
Besides plying my girls with whatever snack we are buying at the time, I try to fully engage them in the shopping experience. My toddler’s job is to push the cart (sitting is SO boring!), and my preschooler helps with meal planning. We try to talk about food groups and what tastes good, versus just has a fun package. Lately, they both find it hilarious to wave and say hi to EVERY person we pass. Yes, just what a shy mama needs! Finally, they both help load the groceries on the belt, minus the eggs. Put ’em to work!
Ps. I also follow qm on fb
I love this idea. I have thought about making JDaniel a picture list of my list and marking things off as they go in the cart. Thank you for sharing my idea again. You are awesome.
I require my little gal to stay in the cart. She just won’t stay with me, and it’s easier. We always bring a sip cup of milk (her fav thing) and a snack. We also bring *one* stuffed animal/doll and *one* activity of her choosing. Right now, she’s all over those Color Wonder books. We don’t use them in the house, they are special toys. Long car trips, grocery store, Mama needs clothes (lol). She also likes being in charge of the list and coupons. That doesn’t work out so well (heh) so now she has her own list and coupons. Usually just has 3-4 items on her list (pictures, not words) and I try to get coupons to match her list. She gets a kick out of finding the items and putting them in the cart (up front with her). She also gets to put them on the belt and give the coupons to the checkout person. Basically, I do whatever it takes to get through as much of my list as I can!
I “like” you on FB!
And I follow you on Twitter.
I keep mini suckers in my purse (DUM DUM’s) and that usually works for the checkout part. When they were little; I put some coupons in a wallet and let them sort them while I did the shopping.
I “like you on facebook!
I have my 3 year hold onto the cart and help get items for me. I love the game idea though!
I “liked” the 30 day giving challenge!
I “like” QM on FB!
I shared this on FB!
I tell my kids what’s on our list and sometimes they get to pick an item of fresh produce (fruit) to take home as their treat. I love the idea of a pictorial list for them to participate in the shopping with me!
I’m one of the FB followers who likes Quirky Momma. =)
Also now following the 30 Day Giving Challenge on FB. Neat!
I remember those days! I used to go shopping without them as much as I could. When I did have them along, I just tried to go as quickly as possible, and right after mealtime so they would not be asking for candy or other treats.
My kids are a little older now (8 and 10). I rarely go grocery shopping with them because they live with their father right now. However, I have experienced the “Mommy, can you get me ________________?” scenario now and then. They do have a little of their own money to spend. I try to encourage them not to spend it on little toys like Silly Banz all the time, but if they keep their grades up, once in a while, I allow them to have a treat.
We play “I spy” and rhyme foods with words…. I spy something that rhymes with “lamb”… “ham”
Biggest tip is to keep them occupied! Either bring a toy with you, have them “help” with shopping, or whatever engages your toddler. Also have your list ready to go so you get done ASAP 🙂
I like you on Facebook
(as the name in my email address)
Have them make up stories based on what you buy! Start them off “Once Upon a Time there was a big jar of peanut butter…” If they get lost just throw in another line about another item “So when the big jar of peanut butter climbed the fence he saw a pretty red strawberry, and …!” It engages their imaginations and keeps them busy
I follow you on Twitter!
We follow you on facebook now. Well I do, our blog is however about both of us!
This giveaaway is GREAT and I would love to win.
Thanks for sharing on BF.
Greetings! My kids are all past preschool age, but now I’m caring for my 21month old grandson. I think over the years I’ve almost mastered shopping with little ones. It’s become a happy learning adventure instead of a stressful event, but that took a lot of learning on my part.
For one, get yourself organized, if you use coupons or a list etc, make sure you have that all situated before you ever head in. Also check your own attitude, make sure you’re calm and even energetic and ‘happy’ I know that sounds silly but little ones pick up your feelings and respond to them. If they feel you’re nervous or dreading this shopping trip, they will behave more poorly.
We have been using ‘games’ with our kids forever, whether it is naming items, hunting for a certain thing, or matching coupons. (this is easier than you think…at 21m my grandson can match cereal photos on a coupon)
I also believe in a reward for great behavior, but what I did not and do not do, is reward in the line. Don’t teach your kids that all those wonderful sweets or toys at the check outs are their reward. I treat after we leave the store. Either by giving a snack out of the groceries or by stopping for a drink etc.
Also I think watching how you term things is good, don’t thank them for being “GOOD”, thank them for helping
Geesh I talked a lot, sorry. I find these days that shopping is actually fun with the grandson.
Shared on my facebook
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/momgoesincircles
I already follow Alyssa’s blog
Found you on facebook as well. I also am following you through blog frog now. I look forward to reading these posts, they will help with the grandson
Well, by far the best way I had to keep the little ones happy and behaved was to turn the whole thing into a big game.
For instance, finding the color or shape or what do we do with this when we get it home?
when the kids were a little older I would stand at one end of the aisle and tell them to find cheerios (or whatever)…off they went like it was a treasure hunt.
I also used bribes(I know,I know).
Like 4 M&Ms at the end of each aisle.
I really really miss those days!
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
I am now following you on twitter
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
I like you on Facebook.
tattgiff at centurytel dot net
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