Do you need some attention-grabbing activities to keep your kids entertained? Whether you want to help your child develop motor skills, expend some pent-up energy, or simply enjoy an afternoon together, there are plenty of options. Take a look at these ideas for both indoor and outdoor playtime. Pick your favorite and get started!
Build an Obstacle Course
An obstacle course is a wonderful kid-friendly activity. It can be simple or elaborate, indoors or outdoors, silly or serious. All you need is a little imagination to set up a few challenges to get your kids moving and thinking of the best way to complete the tasks.
Create Art
Arts and crafts projects are excellent for fostering creativity and developing new skills. You can collect some household materials to make a unique craft, paint a picture to hang on the wall, or learn how to blend colored pencils to create a stunning drawing. The options here are nearly endless and can be tailored to your child’s interests and skill level.
Play Dress-Up
Grab some items of clothing and have a fashion show! You can use anything from old Halloween costumes and prom gowns to pieces straight out of your closet. Encourage your children to use their imagination and develop a character to go with their new look. They can even put on a short play to act out simple scenes and keep the fun going longer.
Plant a Garden
Teach your child the responsibility of caring for something by planting a few flowers or vegetables. Plant an entire garden or just a few potted plants. Let your kids help choose the types of plants they want and involve them in every step. This is a great ongoing activity to invest in. Watch your child’s fascination and pride as they learn how to care for a growing plant.
Construct a Fort
Forts provide hours of fun. They are a great place to watch a movie, play pretend, or curl up with a book. If you have the time and the space, head outside and build a permanent fort that your kids can enjoy for years to come. If not, an indoor fort consisting of a few blankets draped over the furniture can be just as good.
Have a Scavenger Hunt
Make a list of some items for your children to find around the house or outside. You can give each of them a separate list that is age-appropriate. Turn the scavenger hunt into a contest of who is fastest, or award a small prize to all contestants that complete their list.
Bake Something Yummy
Everyone loves a treat once in a while. Next time your sweet tooth is calling you, bake something from scratch together. Children of all ages will love this activity. Whip up a batch of cupcakes or cookies and let the kids decorate them with icing and toppings.
Host a Dance Party
Being stuck inside on a rainy day doesn’t have to be a bad thing. The next time you find yourself in this situation, turn the living room into a disco. Push the furniture out of the center of the room and put on some music. Encourage your kids to dance along to their favorite songs. This is an excellent way to get some exercise and spent time together.
Play a Board Game
If you are looking for a quieter activity that is still fun and engaging, try a board game. Have each child select their favorite and take turns playing each one.
Read Together
Instead of watching a movie, which involves little interaction, read a book together. Select short storybooks or a chapter book that you read a little of each day. Make it more fun by giving each character a different voice or taking turns reading. You can make this a daily activity that both you and your children can look forward to.
There are so many opportunities to spend quality time with your children. Get creative and make a point to set aside some time each week for family togetherness.
