I’ve been totally inspired by I Can Teach My Child’s 30 for 30 Challenge. She is focusing on spending 30 minutes playing with the kids each day for 30 days. So here’s an activity a day idea that works for us.
Lately I’ve found myself getting the kids started on something and then multi tasking while they do it. I’ll be playing play dough and emptying the dishwasher at the same time. Don’t get me wrong, I think getting kids starting on something and encouraging them to play it independently is a good thing, but I want to spend uninterrupted, quality time too.
So I brainstormed simple things that we could do together that wouldn’t require a lot of set up and that we could do with things we already had around the house. I wrote the ideas on popsicle sticks with the plan that we will draw a stick each day and spend uninterrupted time doing that activity together that day.
Here are some ideas that I wrote on our sticks:
Play with Puzzles
Build with blocks
Take a Walk – collect rocks, sticks, or leaves
Ride Bikes
Play with Chalk
Sand Table or Water Table
Cook Something Together
Play Store
Play Restaurant
Play Hide and Seek
Write a Letter
Play in Water (sprinkler, water balloons, etc.)
Make Art with Stamps
Obstacle Course
Build a Fort
Trace – feet, hands, bodies, cookie cutters, letters
Play Catch or Baseball
Play a Board Game
Read Books
Your Child’s Choice
Make a Puzzle
Have a Dance Party
Bubbles
Balloon Bop – keep the balloon in the air as long as you can
Sticker Collage
April
Tuesday 12th of June 2012
Thanks for the inspiration. I agree with the uninterupted time, most of which I spend in the forest with my kiddos.
I love the popsicle stick idea and decided to make them for independent play ideas for my kids. I have been enjoying your blog for the last 6 months or so and love your approach to learning and play with your family!Thanks again!http://www.primarylearninglogs.blogspot.com/2012/06/activity-popsicle-sticks.html
Raising a Happy Child
Monday 11th of June 2012
I really like this idea - need to make my own popsicle idea box too!
Alessandra
Friday 8th of June 2012
Great! Love the ideas and especially writing them on popsicle sticks.
Serena
Thursday 7th of June 2012
Thank you for this post! You've hit the nail on the head--that our children have become another multi task that we shuffle in between all the other 10M things we have to do: dishes, laundry, you name it. I really like this idea of 30 uninterrupted minutes. It will be challenging, but if I can find 30 minutes to check my cell and Facebook, or exercise for 30 minutes, surely my babies are important enough to have undivided attention. Thanks or this!!