Keeping young children entertained can be challenging…
With a seemingly never-ending supply of energy, it can be challenging to keep up at times, and even the most patient parents can struggle to think of new, exciting and engaging activities that their children will enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for something to keep your young ones entertained inside the house on a rainy day or you’re looking for something more outdoorsy, we’ve got you covered. These six activities are fun, engaging and will give your kids the opportunity to learn something new in the process. In fact, don’t be surprised if you hear your children asking to take part in these activities over and over again.
Let’s take a look at some natural, interactive activities you can take on with young children.
Play the Sardines Game
Roll out the prams and head to the park or stay at home and play in the garden. Wherever you choose to play, Sardines is an excellent game that the kids will love. As a variation on ‘Hide and Seek,’ the game is easy to understand, explain and to take part. You don’t need any materials, so you can just get straight to having fun!
To play, one person hides while all of the other players cover their eyes and count to 10. When one of the ‘seekers’ finds the hider, they join them in their hiding spot quietly, careful not to let anyone else see. Then the next person enters when they find them and so on until everyone crammed into the hiding space and the game is over.
Fairy Garden
This activity can be done outdoors or inside depending on how well the weather is cooperating. You will need a pot some dirt, rocks, some flowers and the all-important glitter! The idea is for the kids to build their mini fairy garden inside the planter or container and put their special touches to it.
Let them get creative; add Lego people, Barbie dolls or anything else they think will fit their theme. And for the final touch, sprinkle glitter over the top for that touch of magic to turn their creation into a real fairy garden.
Home Skee-Ball
Do you remember the old arcade game, skee-ball? It was a lot of fun when you were young and it can be a lot of fun for your kids too. You will need a few containers such as empty laundry baskets, basins or plastic bowls. Also required is paper, pen, tape and some different size balls, i.,e. table-tennis, tennis, Nerf, etc.
Write different scores on the paper and stick it to each of the containers and put them at the end of the stairs. Sit on the stairs with your kids and let them roll, drop or throw the balls and see who gets the most points. It’s exciting, fun and will keep your children entertained for hours!
Family Tree
Help your children learn more about their extended family and understand their relationship with uncles, aunts, cousins, and grandparents. There are some fantastic free templates online to choose. Just download one of the models, get some markers, pens and let the creative juices flow as you fill in your family tree.
Blob Tag
Everybody knows the classic game tag. It’s a fun game that’s great for getting some exercise and getting out in the outdoors. However, even your young kids might be bored of the original, so why not change it up and make it more interesting with this variation.
Blob tag means that when the person who is ‘it,’ tags someone else, they must hold hands and proceed to be ‘it’ together. As more people are tagged, the blob grows as it consumes the rest of the players. Just be sure to show your kids how to tag safely and make sure that you have enough space. If you’re worried about some kids not being comfortable with a fast activity like this, you can get everyone to play on their knees instead of standing up to make things even more interesting!
Let Your Imagination Run Wild!
Having a few go-to activities for your kids to enjoy will make for more enjoyable, productive and fun days in your house, at the park, the beach or wherever you find yourself.
Talk to other parents and swap ideas, try variations on classic games. Be sure to gauge the children’s reaction to the activities and find out what they like, what’s the most fun for them and build up a bank of events that you can rely on to keep them entertained anywhere.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
