What do you do with older kids during nap time ?

[CrazyEight]

I only have one of 5 that nap this summer - although 3 of the non-nappers are my own, and they know the drill pretty well. Quiet time is the only time the TV is allowed to be on (I usually let them pick a Disney movie) and they know they are allowed to play quietly in the playroom, colour, read books, do puzzles, etc, but they must be quiet. My kids like movies when they're allowed them, and my current dckids are TV junkies, judging by their mom's FB and the glazed-over look on their faces whenever they see a screen, so we don't have a problem.

I had all nappers all school year, so this is a temporary issue. If I consistently had a non-napper, I think I would put together a basket of "quiet" toys that they only get during quiet time - special lift-the-flap books, stickers, maybe special crayons or markers depending on their age, etc - and change it up every 2 weeks or so. I am due with baby #4 in a few weeks and am planning on hitting the dollar store and doing something like this for my youngest, who is almost 3. She gave up naps a while ago, and when her older siblings all go back to school and we're left with napping dckids and a new baby, she will need a special distraction at naptime when I am nursing and trying to rest!