Easy, Fast and Cheap Kid Activities

I am always on the look out for something that my kids can play with, or that I can do with my kids that does not involve running around and being crazy (which is what they always suggest we do when given the chance).  I need things that I can whip up in a second or that are new and exciting without being alot of work.  Here are two great ideas. 

This first one I found on Pinterest.  It is a city map made out of masking tape on the floor connecting houses and other "town" like toys.  I had a bunch of toys in the basement and found as many cars and trucks as we have in a all girl house.  The girls were super excited to see this but didn't play with it that much at first, except when my husband or I played with them.  But they asked me to leave it and went back to it multiple times over the next couple of days.  I think I left it up for 3 days total.  It was really easy to make and took about 10 minutes during nap time. 

 The second one is going to be one of my favs I think: painting with water.  I know it is the simplest idea and yet so fun.  Why didn't I think of this before.  I didn't want the girls to get messy but wanted something new to do outside.  I brought out jars of water and paint brushes and away they went.  We wrote names and practiced writing letters, we splattered the water with the brushes and all with no clean up at all.  It was fantasic and is something any mom can throw together in a matter of seconds.