There are so many great ways to spend time with your kids, from playing with them, to teaching them and exploring new places. I make it a point every week to work in several activities, that way I know I am getting the most out of my time with my kids. Here are seven activities, one for each day of the week, that I always make sure to do with my kids. They love it and are always anticipating what the next week will bring.
Fun Food Day
This is an activity that has a chance at lasting the entire week. The fun food should be something that the kids can help make, as well as something fun to eat and something they don't get all the time. Pinterest is a great place to get recipes for yummy desserts. We have also made popsicles out of fruit juice; made ice cream sundaes complete with toppings, whipped cream, and cherries; brownies; cookies; and cake pops. The kids love helping make the food items and sampling as they are making it. In most cases there is more left over for the rest of the week, too!
Craft Day
Craft day can involve a big project, like a princess castle out of cardboard boxes, or something smaller, like an egg-carton caterpillar. Kids love making crafts, and they love spending the time with you. Get out the glitter and the glue, let them paint and put googly eyes on the animals. My kids get so excited for craft time that they jump up and down. Crafts are hands on and teach them a lot, but they are having so much fun they don't realize they are learning. Craft time is a great way to ensure you are having some good quality time with the kids, and you will all have fun doing it.
Game Night
Break out the board games or the card games. Most kids love games, even the little ones. Even my toddler can sit still and play games like "Cootie" and "Pop the Pig". My kindergartner likes these games as well, plus board games like Candy Land. So make an evening of it and have everyone get involved.
Outing Day
This is the day, most likely on a weekend, where you get out of the house and go somewhere fun. Anywhere is fine, as long as it's something the family will enjoy. Sometimes you will have enough money to go somewhere big, and other times you won't. Our outings have ranged from a day at Walt Disney World to a day at the park. The zoo is another fun idea. In all honesty, my kids seems to have about as much fun at the playground as anywhere else. They love the swings and slide, and love it when mom and dad play with them. So get out of your house. Go hiking in a park. Go have a picnic at the beach. It's good to get out every once in a while, and it's great to show your kids new places.
Movie Night
Have an all out movie night, maybe even a double feature. Rent a video from your cable company or Redbox. A 3D movie is even better. Sit on blankets on the floor and make popcorn and koolaid. Buy boxes of movie theater candy from Walmart. Turn out the lights and enjoy. My kids love movie night, and they love 3d movies more. They don't even mess with the glasses.
Cleaning Day
Yes I said it. When they are kids, cleaning is fun. Let them help. Sing songs while you help them pick up their room. Let them dust the furniture while you vaccuum. Dance around while you sweep the kitchen floor. Not only does your house get clean but your kids have fun and you are still spending time together.
Learning Day
Every day should be learning day to a certain extent. But block out some time on this day to really work with them on age appropriate materials. You can find activity books at the Dollar Store for preschoolers on math and writing. Toddlers can learn letters and numbers with flashcards. Get some easy reader books and work with them. You can even play school with them, because kids who aren't in school yet love to pretend like they are. My daughter loves the learning books, and my toddler son thinks that the ABC's are his "special song". Kids love to learn. They want to learn. So spend some time and teach them and you will all benefit.
There are many other ways to spend quality time with your kids. Hopefully these tips will get you started. Remember, they grow up fast. Appreciate their smallness and have fun with them before they get too big to play dress-up and color with you.
Fun Food Day
This is an activity that has a chance at lasting the entire week. The fun food should be something that the kids can help make, as well as something fun to eat and something they don't get all the time. Pinterest is a great place to get recipes for yummy desserts. We have also made popsicles out of fruit juice; made ice cream sundaes complete with toppings, whipped cream, and cherries; brownies; cookies; and cake pops. The kids love helping make the food items and sampling as they are making it. In most cases there is more left over for the rest of the week, too!
Craft Day
Craft day can involve a big project, like a princess castle out of cardboard boxes, or something smaller, like an egg-carton caterpillar. Kids love making crafts, and they love spending the time with you. Get out the glitter and the glue, let them paint and put googly eyes on the animals. My kids get so excited for craft time that they jump up and down. Crafts are hands on and teach them a lot, but they are having so much fun they don't realize they are learning. Craft time is a great way to ensure you are having some good quality time with the kids, and you will all have fun doing it.
Game Night
Break out the board games or the card games. Most kids love games, even the little ones. Even my toddler can sit still and play games like "Cootie" and "Pop the Pig". My kindergartner likes these games as well, plus board games like Candy Land. So make an evening of it and have everyone get involved.
Outing Day
This is the day, most likely on a weekend, where you get out of the house and go somewhere fun. Anywhere is fine, as long as it's something the family will enjoy. Sometimes you will have enough money to go somewhere big, and other times you won't. Our outings have ranged from a day at Walt Disney World to a day at the park. The zoo is another fun idea. In all honesty, my kids seems to have about as much fun at the playground as anywhere else. They love the swings and slide, and love it when mom and dad play with them. So get out of your house. Go hiking in a park. Go have a picnic at the beach. It's good to get out every once in a while, and it's great to show your kids new places.
Movie Night
Have an all out movie night, maybe even a double feature. Rent a video from your cable company or Redbox. A 3D movie is even better. Sit on blankets on the floor and make popcorn and koolaid. Buy boxes of movie theater candy from Walmart. Turn out the lights and enjoy. My kids love movie night, and they love 3d movies more. They don't even mess with the glasses.
Cleaning Day
Yes I said it. When they are kids, cleaning is fun. Let them help. Sing songs while you help them pick up their room. Let them dust the furniture while you vaccuum. Dance around while you sweep the kitchen floor. Not only does your house get clean but your kids have fun and you are still spending time together.
Learning Day
Every day should be learning day to a certain extent. But block out some time on this day to really work with them on age appropriate materials. You can find activity books at the Dollar Store for preschoolers on math and writing. Toddlers can learn letters and numbers with flashcards. Get some easy reader books and work with them. You can even play school with them, because kids who aren't in school yet love to pretend like they are. My daughter loves the learning books, and my toddler son thinks that the ABC's are his "special song". Kids love to learn. They want to learn. So spend some time and teach them and you will all benefit.
There are many other ways to spend quality time with your kids. Hopefully these tips will get you started. Remember, they grow up fast. Appreciate their smallness and have fun with them before they get too big to play dress-up and color with you.
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