Easy Ways to Have Fun With Your Kids – No Money Required – Part 1

Of course they can always keep themselves busy with such things as playing computer games, building with legos, painting pictures or watching TV, but playing with your kids can be therapeutic for both you and them and is a great way to spend quality time with them. Here are some ideas to try; depending on the mood both you and your children are in at any given time:

Get Moving

One of the best ways to do this is to get the kids to dance, and yourself as well!  Put on some fun pop music or some birthday party music like the hokey-cokey and start moving. It’s a great way to distress for everyone.  Or just practice your disco moves.  You can even get everyone to follow and copy the leader with each person taking turns to do the “leading”.

Listen to Stories on CD

So it’s raining and cold outside and nobody has much energy for anything. How about snuggling up with a couple of blankets, some hot chocolate and a good story on CD?  If you have the energy and feel up to it, of course you could always be the one who reads the story, but with the CD version, you can enjoy just listening as much as the kids (who says you are ever too old to have a story read to you?)

Make use of Clay

It can be clay or it can be Playdoh, either way this is an old-fashioned activity that we loved as kids, and it’s still loved today.  All it takes is some molding, a little bit of elbow grease to get the materials softened and a good bit of imagination.  Either you or the kids can take the lead on what you will make.  Will you all make pieces for a village scene, for instance, or will everyone do their own thing?

Become animals

How about a game where you take turns of becoming an animal and trying to get the other participant(s) to guess what that animal is?  Some can be easier than others – an elephant can be recognized by its trunk (usually played by the arm that extends from the player’s nose) – but others can be harder – how about acting out the part of a spider climbing up the wall for instance?  And don’t forget it doesn’t have to be just land animals – sea creatures can be included in the game.

Number Games – Sudoku anyone?

he version for children is great fun and has educational value to boot for little ones ages 4-6.  Instead of numbers, the game uses stickers and pictures to be completed.  It’s a great way to have your children use logic even at a tender age.

Get out the Chalk

This is a classic but always works well.  Not only will your little ones have fun, you’ll find it a great way to relieve stress as well.  And don’t worry about making a mess, a quick spray of the hose will leave your patio or your yard perfectly clean again in moments!

These fun children's activities - that don't involve online computer games - will be fun for you and your child alike! And they don't have to involve a lot of money.  See Part 2 for even more ideas.