Your kids love it when you spend time with them, and that makes you happy, too. The look of pure joy on their faces makes the time and money you invest in activities completely worth it. There’s just one minor problem: figuring out which activities your kids will enjoy. Every child has different interests, but this list can give you some awesome ideas. That way, you can have a lot of fun on your next family day.
Dig Out the Board Games
When kids are bored, it’s a great time for a different type of board. Many board games are perfect for giving adults and children something to do together. Whether your kids love classics such as Parcheesi and chutes-and-ladders or newer games with high-tech gadgets, board games are an easy way to entertain your little ones. Plus, cleaning up is a breeze afterward.
Make Homemade Fruit Rollups or Pastries
Sure, it’s faster to buy sweet treats from the store, but where’s the fun in that? Making these fruity creations at home lets kids get involved in the process. This type of recipe doesn’t require difficult steps, so it’s a great way to introduce younger kids to the world of cooking safely.
You can even go wild and let your little ones mash strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and other fruits by hand. Of course, before you do that, make sure everyone is wearing project clothes so it doesn’t matter if things get a little messy. Kids are guaranteed to giggle as they smoosh, squash, stir and form their treats by hand.
Just Dance
Many kids adore dancing. The rhythm isn’t always the important thing. It’s more important to let loose and have fun. Put on a pair of socks, pop in some tunes and rock around the clock. As an added benefit, dancing is great exercise for you and your kids.
Many parents make dancing a regular family activity. It’s awesome for keeping your kids active and helping them use up some of that excess energy. Use YouTube videos for inspiration of crazy dances around the world and see how well your family can imitate them.
Make a Family Tree
Finding out where your family is from can be a great bonding experience for parents and kids. At the same time, it’s interesting for kids to see all the crazy little branches on your family tree. You can check out 1950 census records to discover amazing tidbits about your grandparents, great-grandparents or other family members.
As a parent, your role in this activity is to be a guide. Show your kids what you find and then let their imaginations go wild. Don’t be afraid to let them embellish things a little.
For example, if you learn that your great-grandfather served for a while in the navy, why not ask your kids to imagine what kind of adventures he had on the sea? You might be amazed at how quickly tales of sea monsters, mermaids and heroic rescues appear.
If your great-grandmother was from another country, get kids to imagine or draw pictures of what they think life was like there. Many families have at least some ancestors from exciting places in Europe, Asia and other continents.
Read a Book
Don’t underestimate the power of family togetherness. Young kids often simply want to spend more time curled up in your arms. Reading a book together can quickly become one of your family’s favorite traditions. It’s an intimate and fun way to show your affection, teach kids important lessons and have a blast at the same time.
The book you choose should adapt to their age. You can vary the reading level depending on whether you want your kids to participate in reading or simply listen while you tell an amazing story. Books with colorful pictures are great for toddlers, while older kids may prefer excitement more than anything.
Generally speaking, it’s a good idea to turn the crazy level up to 11. Use interesting or funny voices for the characters. Make weird faces and sounds. Toss in a few tickles for good measure from time to time. Look for opportunities to get kids involved, such as with questions like “Oh, no! What do you think is going to happen now?” Above all, make your kids feel loved.
Create Incredible Art
This is another family favorite activity because of the way it lets kids and adults express themselves. You don’t have to hold back. You can have fun painting or drawing at the same time your kids do. In other words, this activity isn’t just for your kids. It’s an opportunity for you to relax, too.
Of course, to keep your stress level to a minimum, it’s smart to find the right location. Choose areas of the home with easy-to-clean surfaces, such as the kitchen or bathroom. On warm days, the outdoors can be awesome, as long as there’s a way to keep paper and art supplies from flying away in the breeze. Easels can be kind of expensive, but they’re worth it if you notice that kids love painting.
What materials should you use? That’s the beauty of art. There are practically no limits. You can go with everything from finger paint and crayons to leaves and string. That said, always select kid-safe and age-appropriate supplies.
Make a Sensory Extravaganza
Little kids are just as enthralled by their sense of touch as they are by what they see. That’s why hands-on projects are so popular with young ones. Unleash this curiosity and creativity in fun ways by creating a world of texture and color for children to experience.
You don’t need a big budget for this activity. Many of the items you select are probably sitting at home right now: cooked spaghetti, sand, putty, leaves, different types of fabrics, gelatin, cucumber slices, etc.
Again, the outdoors is your friend here. Sensory activities are often more fun when you let kids do whatever they want with the materials (except eat them). They should feel free to fling jello around, make shapes with the putty, spin carrot sticks or combine different materials in crazy ways.
Have a “Grown-Up” Day
If you have old clothes laying around, or hand-me-downs from older kids, it can be fun to turn little kids into “adults” for an afternoon. Many kids love imitating their parents, and this is an opportunity to encourage it safely.
Your first step is to gather or make safe imitations of the things you use normally in your routine. For example, instead of an actual razor, you can let kids “shave” with a plastic fake (even the letter T from a plastic alphabet works). Shaving cream is fun, and so is applying some cologne or perfume afterward.
Hairbrushes, costume jewelry, makeup and clothes are great for this activity. Remember, it’s about having fun, not about teaching the right way to do anything. If kids want to pretend to shave their eyebrows, go for it.
Create a “Drive-In Theater” at Home
Watching a movie is more special when you’re laying outside as a family. For this to work, you need to check the weather ahead of time to make sure it’s not going to rain. When it’s time for the movie, spread sleeping bags or blankets on the grass, run an extension cord to plug in your TV, make some popcorn or pizza, get your firepit going for warmth and enjoy the evening.
Go Somewhere New
Whether you are going to a nearby city that you’ve never been to or going across the country to westin richmond you are sure to have a good time. Experience is one of the best things you can give to your children and there’s nothing quite like traveling experience. Family vacations are some of the fondest memories children can make and one of the best things you can do to bond with your family.
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