No matter where in the world you live there are days in which going outside to play is just not an option.  Whether it is a scorching 108 degrees Fahrenheit or you are surrounded by rain or snow, every parent needs some simple activities that keep little bodies busy all while staying indoors.  For me, one of my go to activities, is what the boys and I affectionately call, Coffee Dirt.

What is Coffee Dirt? It is simply ground coffee beans poured into a shallow baking pan or large casserole dish.

Coffee Dirt, in conjunction with a few dollar store mini construction trucks, creates a table top activity that mimics the back yard sandbox.  Your little ones can create roads and mountains, bury and unearth treasures and work cooperatively to complete a task.  I use cheap or expired ground coffee and add in a few whole beans to act as large rocks. When the kids are done, I just pour all the grinds into a large Ziploc bag and save it for another day of play.  My kids love playing in the dirt and I think the fact that this activity allows them to play with “dirt” inside the house, makes it all the more fun for them.

As an added bonus for all you coffee lovers out there, this activity smells wonderful so don’t be surprised if the coffee lovers of the family are drawn in by the aroma. You may want to have some coffee for consumption readily available to accompany this fun family activity.

Happy Playing.

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***Disclaimer: unless your kids are super tidy, some coffee grinds will find their way to your floor.  Provided that the coffee you use is the standard course grind it sweeps up easily.  I would recommend shying away from an extremely fine espresso grind and I would not recommend this activity for carpeted areas.