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Creative Activities for You and Your Child

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Do something different, do something together. Creative ways to keep your child entertained.

All it takes is to do something out of the ordinary is to simply do something different.

Kids getting bored? Looking for something new, something to occupy their time? A way to entertain your kids? A way to connect or bond with your toddler? Do you want to educate them on the world that surrounds them?

You don't have to be creative, you don't even have to be imaginative - just borrow activity ideas from other parents, websites and books, and start here!

Feed Ducks

Save all your bread crusts (you know, the ones you cut off your children's sandwiches!) and unwanted bread ends in a bag in the freezer. Visit various locations popular to ducks and throw bread pieces for them.
Sure to be a favorite of kids any age!

Wash the Car

Nothing is more entertaining for a child than a hose or a bucket of water. Put them in some boots, give them some soap, a sponge and a bucket and show them how it's done! If it's cooler outside, use some warm water. You will end up with a clean car and a wet child!

(Be sure to watch that the sponge doesn't end up in the mud and is then used to wash your car as this will damage the paint.)

Unlimited Ideas to Entertain Your Child from One Book!

Invest in a good book. You can find books with TONS of ideas. Just right for those rainy days, those days when the kids have too much extra energy, or when your creativity is lacking a little, pull out a book of ideas and let imagination take place!

Blow Bubbles

Pucker up and get soapy!

Nothing is more fascinating for a child than blowing bubbles. Use the old fashioned bubble wand, or look at a bubble blowing machine or bubble gun. Bubble guns are great for younger children who haven't quite mastered the blowing aspect of it all.

Blow bubbles outside or in the bathtub for year round fun!

Take a Trip to Your Local Library

Open a book to a world of adventure!

There is always something to be found in a new book. Teach your child the love of reading early with new adventures every night before bed. Plan weekly trips to the library - find out when story time is and bring your kids then. See if the children's department has computers with games to play. Look for local activities and programs running there (i.e. a pet parade, colouring week...).

Books and Kits worth Checking Out!

Klutz has provided quality activity books for years - here are some books that are sure to be a big hit with you, your child, or a gift for someone!

All it takes is to do something out of the ordinary is to simply do something different.

Look for the Best Sticks

There is no better way to walk than with a stick in hand.

Take a walk and collect only the best sticks ever! Bring these home and save them. You never know when you might need a truly great stick. These are good for many things - sword fights, hitting the ground, walking around and dragging them on the ground, drawing in the dirt or sand, sticking them in the garden, stirring your potion of rocks, leaves and water...

Throw Rocks into Water

Fascination beyond anything else!

Take a walk by any river, creek, lake, large puddle, slough, ocean... Gather rocks, pinecones or sticks and throw them in the water.

Girls may be more inclined to admire all the pretty rocks and want to bring them home, where as boys naturally find fascination with throwing anything in the water.

Watch Short Videos Online!

Here are some of our favorites on YouTube!

You can also go to your childs' favorite tv show's websites and watch short video clips and songs there. Scroll down to "Free Online Games for your Child" for some of those websites!

Go for a Walk

Just get out and go for a walk. Whether to a store, in a park, around the block...with a stroller, a wagon or on a trycicle, get you and your child active and in some fresh air. Discover the world through the eyse of your child - listen for birds, look for leaves and talk about the world around you!

Take Their Toys Away...

Rotate their toys every few months - put a box of toys away for a while. When you pull it out it will seem like Christmas all over as they rediscover their toys!

This will also help with the overflow of toys that constantly occurs in every household with kids.

Find the Biggest Slide in Town

Drive around and find a new park with a slide. Dub it the biggest slide EVER and visit on occasion.
Remember that it is the biggest slide ever and treat it with the awe and admiration it deserves.

Go to the Park or Playground

Find a park nearby, or try to visit every playground in your town! Bring some snacks along and plan to spend a good while there. Meet some new parents, watch your children discover life and interact with new friends!

When going to the park...

Dress your kids in bright shirts so that they are able to be spotted quickly.

Visit the Dollarstore or a Thrift Store

Let the kids pick out one thing - whether it is a dollar store toy or a bag of toys at the thrift store. It will be like a treasure trove for them - part of the whole fun is picking something out. Chances are, it will keep them occupied the rest of the day, will cost you less than a baby-sitter, and you can either dispose of it or donate it back to the thrift store when they tire of it!

Visit a Specialty Toy Shop

Some specialty toy shops have displays set up for children to play with while you shop. A whole new adventure for them - toys always seem better when they are somebody elses! Let them play with the ride on toy or train table, show them the doll house set up. It is a good chance for them to learn to share with the other kids playing there! You may have a fight on your hands when it is time to go - which you can either get frusterated with or look at as a teaching opportunity for your children.

Buy a Magnifying Glass

You will be surprised at the fascination this brings. It's like discovering a whole new world! Along the same lines is a calculator. Kids love calculators!

Go Bug Hunting

Find a jar, explore the world and catch some bugs. The magnifying glass will come in handy here. Learn about different bugs - different colours, different kinds, some fly, some don't, count the legs, learn that bugs aren't scary, find out what they eat and put some leaves in the jar. Make sure you let them go in a day or two as to not tramatize your children over the "sleeping" insect...

Bake Something Together

Cookies, muffins, mini-cupcakes, pretzels... Get in the kitchen and make something together. You do the measuring, they can do the dumping. They will enjoy filling measuring cups and tasting the treat! It's never too early to start them helping out in the kitchen.

Is it worth the extra clean up it to let your kid play and get messy or dirty?

The ever so tidy vs. the exhaustion of mess...

Tidy - I have too much stuff to do than extra laundry and clean up.

Mess - A kids a kid - give them a mud puddle or paint every day!

SpellOutloud says:

I'll have a clean house when they all move out. Until then, I think part of being a kid is having fun, and sometimes that means getting messy.

Jimmie says:

Absolutely! Messy is essential! Think about it -- how many excellent meals from scratch have you made that didn't involve the kitchen being destroyed? None. A wonderful product usually comes from messy work. And play is a child's work.

And although you may be tired and not want to clean up a mess, your children grow up so fast. Make messes with them NOW while they still WANT to play with mom.

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Tools for you and your child...

Build a Sandbox

One that can hold three kids and an entire castle...

I'm not talking about the little plastic ones they sell in stores - I'm talking about a real sized sandbox - one that at least three kids can sit in AND still be able to build stuff and flood stuff and smash stuff...

It is cheaper to make - just a few boards screwed together, a lid to keep cats out, and a visit to your local gravel dealer for a load of sand!

Get some Tunes

Visit your local library and borrow some new cd's, check out iTunes and download some of their songs or just listen to the samples...get some new music and listen to it with your kids. Learn new songs and sing away!

Music for Children

Have a Dance Party

Turn on some favorite music and dance the day away...or dishes, or tidy time... Hold hands and dance, bust out some moves... Grab a mic or some instruments - whether it is from your cutlery drawer or a toy guitar or drumset, have fun and go crazy!

Make your Own Musical Instruments

Staple two paper plates together with some beans or lentils in between for a shaker.

Decorate a coffee can, punch some holes in it to tie a string through it for a real marching band effect, and use some old chopsticks as drum sticks!

Picnic Indoors

Grab an old blanket or table cloth and lay it on the floor for a picnic indoors. Invite the neighbourhood dolls and teddies too. Have some fun snacks - maybe some sandwiches cut into fun shapes with a cookie cutter, or some mini-muffins.
Easy clean up - just shake the blanket outside and throw it in the wash!

You are the funniest person they know...

Your kids love spending time with you no matter what you do, so don't let it pass you by - you will never be as cool or funny to them, as you are right now.

Be an Animal

Choose an animal for meal time. You have to be that animal, act like that animal, and eat like that animal the whole time. It is way more fun to eat beans if you're a puppy eating beans.

Have a Tea Party

Every girl, and even boys, love to have a tea party. The most successful tea party is the one where the "tea" consists of milk and the "sugar" is chocolate milk powder. Invite your favorite toys, or bring the party to Gramma's house!

Green Toys Tea Set

Make a Home Movie

Film your kids being crazy, or make your own movie and plot and put it together. It's easier than you think! Use the video feature on your digital camera, or buy/pull out a video camera. Windows Movie Maker is free and very user friendly - it is easy to put all your video clips together, add a title and some music! Your kids will want to watch it over and over again, and your family will love seeing it on YouTube or Facebook!

Home Videos with our Flip Video Camera

Flip Video on Amazon

Go Swimming

Visit local pools, waterparks, water slides, lakes or oceans. Most kids love the water - though it will sure keep you on your toes! Sometimes it seems like you spend more time getting them dressed and undressed than time spent in the actual pool, but loosen up a little - they will only remember the good parts and will be begging to go again!

Is TV a helpful tool for you as a parent?

Do you ever let the TV "baby-sit" your kids?

No way, I won't park them in front of the TV and let them rot their brains!

RhondaSueDavis says:

Yes, and mostly No. My kids watch way too much tv and video games. Taking them away only encouraged them to design thier own games. So it is making the best of what they are involved in, on TV or not.

says:

TV never worked wonders for us and never will for any child....I say avoid it!

Yes, it's the only way to have a moment of sanity in the day and get things done!

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Great Lenses with Great Ideas

Learn a New Game

Spend some quality family time play some board games. Educational in every way - developing fine motor skills, cooperation, learning to take turns...

Favorite Board Games

Some of my favorite board games that I used growing up, when baby-sitting, with special needs children, and with my own children.

These games have also gotten high review stars from Amazon customers - and if they like it, we like it!

Free Online Games for Your Child

Explore the world on-line. There are hundreds of thousands of sights geared to educate, not just entertain your child!