In my opinion there is only one thing all children desire: your presence. When you're with them they want you to be fully involved, not worrying about your job, finances, your phone or the state of your house. They want you to really listen to what it is they have to say, and to play with them on their level. My greatest joy and some of my funniest baby sitting moments have happened whilst listening to children of similar ages talking to each other when they thought no one was listening. Children are sponges and so often (in the beginning) they are miniature versions of their parents. Make sure that what precious time you spend with them is quality time, and that you give all of yourself to the moment. They will love you for it.
Below are some great ideas to get you started. Many of them are free or cost very little to do so their is no excuse okay guys:
1) build blanket forts with your children.
There is not a child who I have taken care of who didn't enjoy this one. It's fun, completely against the rules, messy and you can eat snacks inside there all day if you want to. It's also great for playing 'house'.
You will need: sheets, duvet, pillows, snacks, heavy books, pegs, tables and chairs (to add structure)
Like so:
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2) make homemade playdough, then think of an animal or structure and try to make it.
You will need: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 cup water, 4 tablespoons cream of tartar or alum (available from your local chemist, or grocery store in the baking aisle), food colouring and 1 or 2 drops essential oil (to make it smell amazing).
Instructions:
-Place dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well (you may want to use an old bowl as the food colouring can stain the container).
-mix oil and food colouring into the water
-Slowly add water mixture to the flour mixture and mix until dough-like. If too sticky, add more flour
-Knead the dough well while adding the essential oil, and store in a sealed container in the fridge (will keep for up to 2 weeks)
3) make glue out of cornstarch and water. Rip up strips of newspaper and paint these onto recycling materials to decoupage a bowl, bottle, balloon etc. Paint this once dry.
You will need: cornstarch, water, newspaper, paintbrushes (rinse thoroughly once done), recycling materials and paint
4) make bubble solution. Then find household items to use as bubble blower, go outside and have fun!
You will need: 12 cups water, 3 cups dish soap, 3/4 cup corn syrup and household items ie. Fly swatter, wire hanger etc (to blow bubbles with. The more imaginative the more fun I promise)
Instructions:
-Mix all the ingredients in a 1 gallon container, dip your new found bubble blower in the container, run around like crazy outside to get your bubbles going
5) use your pool: take all the adults in your family and create a whirlpool by holding on to the railing of the pool and going as fast as possible in the same direction. One the whirlpool really gets going ask the children to try and make their way around the pool in the opposite direction.
Spend more time in your pool playing "marco polo", you will have as much fun as your kids I promise.
6) make a pretend city out of legos, wooden blocks or boxes and drive matchbox cars around the created track or obstacles.
Or use the same materials to build a farm and play pretend with plastic animals (Chad's favourite).
7) play dress up in Mom and Dad's old clothes. Add a broken cellphone, bag etc to the mix. Laugh as you see the miniature versions of yourself come out to play.
8) use sidewalk chalk to make a hopscotch 'board' and then use a pebble to play, or draw ridiculously large dinosaurs. The brontosaurus is my favourite and also happens to be the easiest to draw.
9) make felt finger puppets and play pretend.
You will need: felt squares, sewing needle, scissors, cotton thread, fabric glue (available at a craft store), wool, buttons and googly eyes to decorate.
10) borrow an origami book from your local library, buy a few sheets of coloured paper and spend a few hours trying your luck (and patience) at making the designs.
11) make a giant puzzle, as a family, over a couple of evenings. Not only is it a calming activity before bedtime but it will teach your children problem-solving skills
12) go to your local library, sit in the story corner and read to your children. Dr Seuss (oh the places you'll go and green eggs and ham) and Roald Dahl (the B.F.G. and the witches) are a great place to start. Add funny voices for some real fun. Also libraries offer arts and crafts activities during the school holidays. Choose your favourite activities and go on those days to partake.
13) make your own treasure hunt by hiding items in the garden (tasty treats, coins in a jar or a present works best) and either draw a treasure map or write out clues which your children will have to follow in order to find the 'treasure'. A fun game of hot and cold also works well to locate the treasure.
14) take a nature walk. I like Krantzkloof Nature Reserve and Steinbank Nature Reserve best, but taking a walk around your own neighbourhood works too. Before you set off make sure you have warm clothes, sunscreen, a hat and something to drink and eat. Prepare a list from A to Z and try to spot items in nature which begin with these letters, completing the alphabet as you go, or make a list of items which you want to find and check them off as you go ie. butterfly, zebra, pond, prettiest flower, biggest rock, pinecone etc. This will keep your little one motivated.
15) make robots out of recycling materials.
You will need: duct tape to bind items together, recycling materials for body parts, craft knife to cut out eyes or to make a 'door to its heart', markers for decorating and tinfoil to cover your robot in metal. To be honest, most of the time it won't look like a robot by the time you're done, but making it is half the fun, and your child's imagination will fill in the rest.
16) borrow a science experiment and/or craft book from the library. Use this to make everything from homemade volcanoes, paper, pressed wildflowers for cards, birdfeeders, bath salts, or learn how to knit or crochet.
There are so many ways to create special memories with your child. These don't have to cost a small fortune, and will be special because you are both involved.
Do you have any other creative ideas to add?
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