Why do I do activities with my daughter? Why not just let her come up with her own ideas? When I was a kid, we used to play in a puddle and were HAPPY about it. We even had to sleep there! (Okay, not really - I was a spoiled city kid, but you get my drift!)
Perhaps the reasons a parent does activities with their kids is different for each person. I do it because I like to, because I hope we're making some good memories together, and because I love doing things to spend time together.
But perhaps even more important is what doing activities with kids is NOT.
It's not something extra to feel guilty or competitive about. ("I made my child a whole town out of cardboard boxes. What did you do?")
It's not something you need to be creative to do. Can't draw a straight line? Me neither. Who cares? Certainly not your child, who things everything you do is pretty awesome (except when you say, "no" - that's not awesome at all!)
It's not something extra to feel guilty or competitive about. ("I made my child a whole town out of cardboard boxes. What did you do?")
It's not something you need to be creative to do. Can't draw a straight line? Me neither. Who cares? Certainly not your child, who things everything you do is pretty awesome (except when you say, "no" - that's not awesome at all!)
And it's definitely not something you should dread doing. Find something that you both enjoy - maybe it's reading, maybe it's baking, maybe it's building with wood. Ideally it's something you both look forward to! (Although there are also those endless cups of pretend tea that come into every parent's life...)
I've said it before and I'll say it again - sometimes, with all the variety of great kids activities out there, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Your child doesn't need or even want to do all the activities Pinterest can show you. Trite as it sounds, they really are just happy to do something with *you*.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - sometimes, with all the variety of great kids activities out there, it's easy to become overwhelmed. Your child doesn't need or even want to do all the activities Pinterest can show you. Trite as it sounds, they really are just happy to do something with *you*.
These 5 are my go-to books when I'm looking for an activity. They all have ideas that are quick and easy (and some that are more involved if you're looking for that) and things for a variety of interests. Basically, there's something in all of these books that you can have fun with together!
- 150+ Screen-Free Activities for Kids: The Very Best and Easiest Playtime Activities by Asia Citro. From the creative mind behind Fun At Home With Kids this one is jam-packed with ideas that anyone can do. And with a whole chapter on slime, your kids are going to love it too.
- 99 Fine Motor Ideas . Written by a group of kid bloggers (me included!), this is a collection of tried and true activities that have the added benefit of helping with fine motor skills.
- 101 Kids Activities That Are the Bestest, Funnest Ever! . That title is a lot of live up to, but Holly Homer and Rachel Miller, of the Kids Activities Blog totally live up to the expectation! Everything that you already love about their website, in an easily accessible book.
- TinkerLab: A Hands-On Guide for Little Inventors is a great one for kids who like to tinker. From experiments, construction and art projects, there's a little of everything here (including general tips for inspiring your children to think and create).
- The Artful Parent: Simple ways to fill your family's life with art and creativity by Jean van't hul. Have you noticed that all these books were penned by bloggers? The Artful Parent blog is filled with great ideas and the book is no different. Real-life, do-able ways to inspire and create!
Do you like to do activities with your children - or have you not found the right activity yet?
