We live in an era where we have more choices with what to do with our time than any generation before us. Yet we often find it difficult to choose what to do. Children have the same problem, but when this indecision strikes they mistakenly think they’re bored. They aren’t bored at all, they just need a little help getting focused on the next activity. That’s your challenge as a parent and you’ll need a plentiful supply of fresh ideas. The Internet is full to the brim with kids’ projects, but the difficulty is to find great ideas that work. The ideas below are proven and successful ways to engage children of all ages. You’ll return to these ideas again, as they will become firm favourites.
Creative art for kids: The next best-selling board game
Creating your own board game never gets boring. Bring out all the craft resources and challenge the kids to make an improved version of a game they already know. Create a new game by picking ideas from two or three existing games. Get colouring, cutting and pasting, painting, and let their imaginations run wild. You can even use other toys for counters or Lego to create parts of the board. Go three dimensional! No dice? Create a circular track, grab a marble, place numbers around the track and spin like it is a roulette wheel. No tracks? Use a plastic bowl or a round lid.
Creative play for kids: treasure hunt architects
Kids love treasure hunts, but the hurdle is that someone needs to create them. Turn that problem around: get the kids to make a treasure hunt for the adults. Set some safety boundaries, such as: stay on the property, no climbing, no kitchen drawers, and keep out of the garden shed. Provide them with paper, pens and other materials for creating clues. Once they have completed the treasure hunt, it’s time for you to get involved. Be forgiving about any design mistakes (!) and just take their guidance as to what to do next. The real secret is to make sure the kids can see you’re having fun. Then the magic happens: they will start designing treasure hunts for each other. Cue some adult quiet time!
Creative cooking for kids: pasta people good enough to eat!
The thought of allowing the children into the kitchen immediately makes adults think about the worst case scenario. This idea is simple, fun and will become something they will ask to do again and again. To make Pasta People, you will need dried quick-cooking spaghetti and hot dog sausages. Show them how to cut the sausages into smaller pieces using a butter knife. Break the pasta sticks into smaller pieces. Push them into the sausage bodies. Their imagination will make them into people, faces, long hair, and many other variations. Help them bring some water to the boil, and the rest takes care of itself. Add the sauce bottle on the side and they won’t last very long. Bonus: they just had lunch!
What are your favourite ways to occupy your kids?