What keeps your pre-teens busy?

[FrugalFive]

Since I'm getting two new daycare kids (ages 8 and 12) I need ideas on things to keep them busy. All the rest of my kids are 7 and under, so my house is catering to a much younger crowd...so I was just wondering, for those of you w/pre-teens...what are they up to these days?

[imagine]

My son is 11.5 He stays busy with legos, books, computer games, sports stuff like soccer ball or basketball.
He also like playing board games ( but not the baby ones)

[Patty A]

How about making paper airplanes, playing catch with a nerf or whiffle ball, make some plastic or wooden models, frisbee, make some bean bags and an old coffee type can for them to paint and throw the bags in to score points. Pick up some dollar store frames, let them glue old button around the frame to make it personalized for them to like. Make a lawn bowling set out of old cans and a ball you have on hand. They love painting, and can paint the cans to use them as bowling pins.
Here are a couple sites with easy and frugal ideas.
Craft stick ideas:
http://childparenting.about.com/gi/d...raftsticks.htm

How to draw cartoons;
http://childparenting.about.com/gi/d...sson.htm%23top

Hope this helps.

[nuisance26]

~My kids aren't that age but when I was that age I liked to write, draw, paint, sew, play board games, do puzzles, play video games, listen to music, read, make jewelry, make pottery and clay beads, cook and bake and of course, play outside. Kids at that age really start to show their need for space. If there is some way to have a separate, older kids area, I would try to do that.~

[AmyBoz]

I'm guessing that they'll be coming after school, so they can work on their homework After that, they enjoy puzzles, board games, books, crafts, etc.

[chris w]

sports are always a good idea, basketball if possible, knocking around a soccer ball in the backyard.