Fun with Kids: What are your go-tos?
I’m always looking for new ways to have fun with my kids as they get older and their tastes change. Right now, my boys are almost 10 and 7.5.
Here are some of our go-to games (with the caveat that they do not love playing board games with me):
Here are some of our go-to activities in nature (with the caveat that they usually don’t want to do these things initially but end up loving it):
- Stand-up inflatable paddle boarding
- Bike riding around a track
- Hiking around creeks
Here are things I’m thinking about adding to our repertoire:
- Soccer in the park
- Hoverboards (Henry wants one for his birthday)
Here are things that are pretty easy to engage them in:
- Swimming
- Fort building
- Whiffle ball
What about you all? Please share your ideas for fun with kids! I’m eager to keep adding to our kit o’ fun.
P.S. This post’s image was from our trip to San Diego. I cannot believe I braved the frigid winter Pacific Ocean to boogie board with Henry. But I was so glad I did! I borrowed a wet suit and it made a world of difference.
P.P.S. Episode 2 of the Sow Connected Podcast comes out today! You can find it here, if you are interested. Happy Tuesday!
4 Comments
Jen
We have six kids (ages 0-11) so connecting with each individually and finding ways for us all to connect together is a major concern of mine!
WHOLE FAMILY
Hiking / nature walk
Road trips
Rolling sushi
Movie night
Gardening / digging in the dirt
Dancing to music
INDIVIDUAL KIDS
Board games (Sorry!, Apples to Apples)
Chess
Shooting hoops in the front yard
Crocheting
Spontaneous poetry creating
Baking
Biking
Sara Cotner
Your family sounds so wholesome, balanced, and fun, Jen! And I am in awe of 6. I can barely hold it together with 2! Thank you so much for sharing.
Mary B.
My daughter is nine, and my son is two. Most of my go-tos are focused on her:
Skating (we’re in Canada, so outdoor rinks are open)
Playing in the woods/making snow sculptures
Swimming (when pools are not closed due to Covid restrictions)
Playing the ukulele/piano together
Listening to musicals
Building (we have quite the collection of Grimms blocks, traditional wooden blocks, and Kapla)
Baking and cake decorating
Playing with her Build-a-Bears or Creatable World dolls
Arts and crafts. Currently she is very into knitting and sewing
Biking (in the summer)
Board games: Cobra Paw, Bananagrams, Trash Pandas, Qwirkle, Blokus, Ticket to Ride are the current faves
Puppet shows and dress-up
Making “potions”
My son likes making a mess, although he is very into construction toys, pretend play with his dolls, and making food using his play kitchen.
Sara Cotner
Your family sounds so fun, too, Mary! Thank you for chiming in.