I think I read this from somebody elses post but though it was a good idea. Have outlines of a nail on sheets of paper and get the kids to design some nail art on it (using colouring pencils etc) you could have it as a little competition or maybe not (dont want any of them to be disappointed if they don't win). That would keep them amused whilst you were doing the treatments hths
This is what I do, depending on the age group.
For older children, I glue-gun tips to long coffee-stir-sticks (like skinny wooden popsicle sticks).
And let them use real nail polish and cheapo artsy stuff to design their own nails. I glue them onto the sticks at the free-edge and not the base so that the child can hold the stick with the tip over their natural nail and see what it would look like.
If I'm only doing nails, say for a group of 10kids. I do it 'round robin' in two groups.
First group of 5 at the table all soaking (after edible sugar scrub & washing of hands. They get a big kick out of the edible scrub:green
. Then go around 1 by one, filing and tidying the nails. Then around again for base coat. Then around again for colour. Then around again for art. Then for top coat & stones.
They have to sit to let their nails dry AND by the time you get back to the first one, the coat of polish is dry enough for the next step.
Also, doing it that way, for the group at the table, it's not too long for any of them because you're doing them all at the same time. AND for the other group, there is arts and crafts (nail design) for them to do AND/OR if you have an assistant, they can co-ordinate the 2nd group.
Moms LOVE this because they just sit back, do nothing but take pictures.:green: