Step 1: Find a cooking pot.
Step 2: Put ideas on slips of paper for all the things they may want to do that day (or whatever timeframe you desire).

Ideas for activities:
  • Go outside and race around the house one time
  • Draw a picture to mail to grandma/grandpa (doesn't even matter if they can't really draw yet.....you ask them what they are drawing, write it in the corner for the grandparents....and they'll love it)
  • Play with play-doh (unless your 2-year-old likes to eat things)
  • Take the dog for a walk around the neighborhood with dad
  • Read a book for 10 minutes (even the younger ones can flip through books and look at the pictures while older ones read theirs)
  • Stuffed animal party (bring all the stuffed animals into the living room, have a tea party, and then bring them all back to their room…takes some time :) )
  • Play Red Light, Green Light
  • Watch a show (you can put that in a couple times, if it's a day you need to get things done too)​
  • Get the markers or crayons out.  Draw a llama wearing fancy pajamas picking flowers from the garden
  • Take a bubble bath
  • Put on 2 songs and dance
  • Make paper airplanes and have a fly off
  • Play with <insert specific toy here>
  • Play <insert sport here> in the backyard
  • Have a matchbox cars race off to find out which is the fastest car
  • Make a train of dominos
  • Play a game of Uno
Step 3: Kids draw a piece of paper out of the pot and do whatever it says.  ​
Tips: 
  • For young kids - parents pick the activities.
  • For older kids - let them come up with ideas for the activities (letting them know you have veto power, of course).
  • If it’s an activity like coloring or reading (which there's no end to), put a timer on to do it for 15-20 mins and then pick another piece of paper.
  • If there are multiple kids, and one wants to bow out of a certain activity, have a designated activity to do while they wait for the next pick (like reading).
  • Try for a full range of activities - active, calm, independent play and involvement of others.
  • If your kid is solo, have a good balance of independent play and involvement with others (example: take the dog for a walk with dad).
  • Don’t be afraid to put their usual activities in as well - the excitement of the random draw can help keep things fun.