Preschool prep

Traditionally this sort of fun is called preschool, so I will head the post that way, but I wish to have my complaint recorded.  No kid of mine has gone to school, so all we do is preschool.  Now with that formality out of the way....

I am looking for more creative, fun, special, but simple, not too messy projects for Baby Girl.  While I sit at the table answering questions from the older ones (and bouncing a baby/nursing), she likes to have something to do.  She would love worksheets, but she still can't write any more than a simple line or oval, and she can't read or count past 5.  This kinda limits my options.  Especially with my computer down for so long!  (BTW I have no objection to her skill set it is perfectly age appropriate)

So far we made a 'salt box'  I got the idea here: MamaJenn.  Though I took my good ole time getting around to it.  I also couldn't bring myself to pay for something to be cut up.  Instead while organizing I found a proper sized shipping box, used packing tape to seal the edges and just poured my salt in.  A black sharpie made a nice label.

I tried paint in a ziplock for her to 'write on' but I seemed to have messed it up.  Part of the trouble might be that my bag was blue, it was very hard to see when you smooshed the paint.  Mostly it looked purple.  I also might have allowed to much air to remain and too much paint.

If I can get clear ziplocks I might try again with color mixing first and then 'writing'.

Some days I have been letting her cut scrap paper and glue it just for a little fine motor practice.

Many days she will get out our 'linking cubes' to build with (or count)  but I really want to have more 'special' activities so she can fell like the big kids.  They tend to only get their math, and Latin and such out at this time, so she wants her own work. And Momma wants it to not be messy, sorry but I have my limits on cleaning right now.  Any good quick simple, easy, non messy cheap ideas?  (boy I am picky aren't I!)