Fun Times For Kids
The next best thing to being a kid is playing like one. Whether you are in the company of those adorable and foreign little creatures known as "the infant" or you are with an older breed of child, the best thing to know is how to entertain them...and how to tire them out. Some activities  may require additional children, but make sure you know their parents; you wouldn't want to adopt that creepy neighbour persona.
Outdoor Activities
|
| - Climbing Frames and Swing Sets : A jungle gym area right in your own backyard is a great way for children to get some exercise and play at the same time.
- Ball Games: If you have a ball, you have a game. Sometimes the simplest form of play is the most fun. Play catch, monkey in the middle, handball, hot potato, and much more with this versatile toy.
- The Park: Who doesn't like going to the park? The park has everything a kid could ask for: swings, fields, monkey bars, sprinklers, and other kids.
- Picnics: A good way to make a mealtime fun is to have a picnic. Preparing for the picnic is just as good. Maybe you want to go with a theme; instead of doing traditional picnic food, change things up a bit by doing breakfast, strictly desserts, or a favourite delicacy of the child's choosing. Bring a blanket, some games, some friends and make a day of it.
- Biking, Rollerblading, and Ice-skating: Why does it seem like physical activity gets much more daunting as you grow older? Nowadays the only bike I ride is during Tuesday spin class. It is shockingly boring despite the road projection, techno, and newly installed disco ball. Get back in the outdoors and make exercise fun. There was a point when biking and Rollerblading were considered a means to get somewhere, a hobby, a venue for showing off that no hands trick--among other ridiculously stupid and dangerous skills. Relive this idiocy with a child. It's good fun.
|
Indoor Activities
|
| - Museums: There is nothing better than going to a children's museum on a rainy day. Usually the museum caters specifically to children and will have special workshops, displays, and a lot of hands on learning.
- Libraries: Libraries also sponsor events for children. Most libraries have children's sections which include toys, computers, and other activities. Reading aloud is often held in a group circle led by the librarian and it is a typical for them to perform things such as puppet shows.
- At Home Cinema: One of my favourite things to do with the kids on a rainy day: create a cinema atmosphere at home. If it is light out, put drapes over the windows, turning everything completely dark. If you have surround sound, turn it on and if you want a good imitation cinema seat, couch cushions on the floor is the way to go. Pop some popcorn, grab some sweets, sit back and enjoy the show.
- Hide and Seek: Things like hide and seek are great because the only material required is the players; plus you can do it just about anywhere. Other games that fall into this category are: duck duck goose, tag, man hunt, freeze tag, TV tag, and red light/green light.
- Cooking and Baking: Children love to cook and bake. Throw some of their favourite ingredients into a traditional recipe to make things a little different (e.g. making peanut butter and Nutella cupcakes). Decorate the food and dessert with things such as nonpareils, edible paint, food colouring, candy or anything you can think up. Make faces or sculptures with the food and then let the child proudly present their feast.
- Treasure Hunt: Always a fun outdoor or indoor activity. Just remember: No prize equals crayon surprise on walls.
- Don't Touch the Floor!: This is another game that doesn't require materials. The object of the game is to get around the house, room, park, playground, etc. and obtain a designated object without touching the floor once.
|
Dress Up and Make Believe
|
| - Making Masks: What you will need: paper plate, elastic string, hole puncher (a scissor will do just fine), paint, gum, crayons, feathers, pasta, or any decorating products around. Use your imagination, and don't cook or eat the pasta.
- Build your Own Fort: One can build a fort(s) with just about anything in the house, therefore giving the child a custom designed clubhouse. In extreme cases, beds have been turned on their sides, holes have been dug, and irrigation systems have been installed, but keep in mind that this is university level; in its simplest form, the only things necessary for fort building are some couch cushions, sheets, blankets, pillows, a torch and/or other household items.
- Indoor Camping: You may have a tent for camping or you may want to make one with some sheets and chairs (or similar materials). Set up your tent in a room of the house, set up some sleeping bags, blankets, and have an indoor camp out. If you have a fireplace, cook some hot dogs on sticks or skewers, and make roasted marshmallows for dessert! Maybe you will want to grab a torch, head into the tent and tell some scary stories. Bring stuffed animals and make the tent feel more "at home". It is always a good idea to take something conventional and make it different.
- Puppet Shows and Plays: Put on a play or puppet show with the children. Let them design their own puppets and costumes, come up with the plot and characters, or perform one of the classic favourites.
- Outdoor Indoors: A cross between indoor camping and opposite day; create an outdoor environment (with trees and animals, etc.) indoors or a indoor environment (including such things as a table and chairs, a bed, etc.) outdoors.
|
Board Games
| - Create Your Own Board Game: An arts and crafts project that can be played with continually is a home-made board game. Lots of people make their own rules anyway so why not play it your way entirely? Any cardboard will do for the game board (if there is one) and then typical arts and crafts supplies for decorating. Let the kids decide upon the topic, design, rules, and overall structure of the game. Guide them to think outside the board.
- Classic Board Games: Twister, Clue, Pictionary and Pictionary Jr., Monopoly.
- Popular Board Game Manufacturers: Milton Bradley, Drumond Park Games.
|
Learning Games
|
| - Jeopardy: Playing jeopardy is a sneaky way to make kids want to study school subjects. The kids will look at it as a game (because it is one) and they will want to know the material to advance their team. Just create categories based on the material of the subjects or subject and give points based on the level of difficulty for each question in the category. It can be played with two or more players. The team with the most points at the end wins.
- Twist and Shout: One of my favourite teaching methods is to create and teach songs with the study material. When the information has to come into memory, the tune and lyrics will help them to recall the information.
- Make Way for the Parade: Create a tiny parade where the children sing the songs they have learned and dress up according to the theme of the songs. A stereo and props can be a motivating addition. Tiny floats can be made easily using a wagon or pulley, skateboard or anything with wheels as a base. You can even create your own base by buying wheels and wooden planks, then just build up! Papier mâché works well for the body. This is a good alternative to a play.
- Create Your Own Crossword: A project to get kids through researching.
|
Related Guides
External Links
|
|
US Site
GB Site