| Most parents know how important it is to spend time | | | | - You know that video game they like to play? Play it |
| with your children -- more important than spending | | | | with them. Trust me there will be laughing -- a lot of |
| money on them. Take that a step further and talk | | | | it. You aren't going to win but let them teach you |
| about spending time with you children and not | | | | how to try. Kids love to teach something to their |
| spending money at the same time. Sure you can | | | | parents. The shoe is on the other foot for a change. |
| take them to a movie or to a game arcade. | | | | Not to mention they love it when they are better |
| However, with these types of adventures, you are | | | | than you are at something. |
| together but not really spending time "with" them. | | | | - Go to the movies. At home! Make a big bowl of |
| Be creative. Do things that involve you and your child | | | | popcorn and snuggle up to watch a favorite movie |
| in an activity that you share. Better yet, make it an | | | | together. Remember to turn out the lights for super |
| activity that depends on creativity - not money. | | | | theater effect. Kids love to snuggle so get out a soft |
| - Go to the local park, playground, garden path, or | | | | comfy blanket and cuddle up. It is great to share a |
| whatever you have for gathering of children in your | | | | laugh or even an "ahh" moment. Talk about it after it |
| area with no admission fees! You can even go to the | | | | was over. What did you like best about the movie? |
| local school during "off time" usually weekends and | | | | What least? Who was your favorite character? What |
| after 6:00 pm on weekdays. Get some play time in | | | | would you change? |
| and have a ride on the merry-go-round or swings. Let | | | | - Play hide and seek. Classic, and still fun. Have your |
| your child decide what you are going to "play on" | | | | child make up unusual rules - places you can't hide, |
| together. Let them push you in the swings part of | | | | must be outside, must be touching something brown. |
| the time. | | | | - Face it, children like to do things with you. Draw a |
| - Have a picnic ~ Ok, this isn't totally free. Of course | | | | picture, do an ongoing craft project, make things to |
| it requires food out of the fridge. My | | | | give away (nursing home, other children, family, etc.), |
| recommendation is to use paper plates. What a way | | | | cook a simple recipe, learn to do something that |
| to spoil a good time - washing dishes. Spread out a | | | | neither one of you know how to do. Learn together. |
| blanket outside your house and have a picnic. Raining? | | | | - Make up a song about them...or you...or the dog...or |
| No problem, move the furniture out of the way and | | | | anything! Then sing it of course. |
| have a picnic on the living room floor. Don't forget to | | | | - Play a board game or a card game. There are lots |
| spread the blanket. It's not really a picnic until you are | | | | of games that involve learning and they don't even |
| sitting on a blanket. | | | | know it. Pretend you don't remember how to play |
| - Take a walk .... Anywhere! Around the yard, around | | | | and have them "teach" you. Don't forget about |
| the block, just walk, chit chat and spend some time | | | | age-old favorite games - dominoes, checkers, |
| together without the bustling noise of video games, | | | | Chinese checkers, and on and on. |
| televisions, or phones. Pick out something to watch | | | | - Read a book together -- maybe a chapter at a |
| for - birds, flowers, people - anything that you might | | | | time at a regular scheduled time. If they are old |
| see with some regularity. Count the number of times | | | | enough, take turns reading. |
| you see it. Try to beat your record the next time | | | | - Draw or have your child draw a treasure map of |
| you go out. | | | | the backyard or neighborhood (you set the |
| - Take pictures ~ What better way to see the world | | | | boundaries). Place clues hidden along the way to the |
| through your child's eyes than to hand them a | | | | next stop as you seek the treasure. This doesn't |
| camera and let them snap a few shots. Make up a | | | | even have to be a new prize. Play rescue the doggie |
| "photo assignment" (if they are old enough to handle | | | | and place their favorite stuffed animal at the end. |
| the camera alone) and have them complete the | | | | Play let's take a plane ride and place a toy airplane at |
| assignment without you. Take some pictures of your | | | | the end. |
| favorite things that would tell a stranger what you | | | | - Make a scavenger hunt around the house. One time |
| like. Do the same thing for a sibling or a parent. Take | | | | you make the list of things to find and the next time |
| pictures of things they think look cold, hot, pretty, | | | | let your child make the list. |
| hard, soft. Use your imagination and enjoy the | | | | - Make and fly a kite. Don't buy one. I said MAKE! |
| creative side of your child. If you use a digital | | | | Good luck and have fun. I am betting you will have |
| camera, start a scrapbook on the computer for just | | | | as much fun as your child. |
| your child's work. | | | | |