Jan 012013
Happy New Year! My kids are sleeping in this morning. Still nothing happening at 10:30 a.m. What better time to blog?
My oldest child turns 18 this summer. I can’t quite believe that! The years pass so quickly, so take the time to enjoy your children’s company. Here are twelve simple, free activities kids love. Try doing one a month, and don’t forget to take pictures. You will treasure the memories!
- Squeeze a raw egg as hard as you can (over the sink, just in case). Why doesn’t it break?
- Put on rubber boots and raincoats. Find some nice, deep puddles and let your kids get as muddy as they like.
- Tie a fork onto the middle of a long piece of string. Wrap the ends of the string around your children’s index fingers and have them put their fingers in their ears. Bonk the fork against a table, and they will hear the bells of a great cathedral! Be ready with that camera!
- Find a steep hill. Make sure it’s safe, but even if you’re a little nervous, encourage your kids to climb it. This is a great confidence builder!
-
Long hikes build children’s confidence and teach a lifestyle of fitness.
Go for longer hikes than you think they can manage. They can manage, and they’ll be so proud of themselves.
- Set up a miniature train. Have your children lie on the floor with a digital camera and video it coming closer. Other fun things to video close-up include bugs and any moving toys. Use them to create a silly movie.
- Make a volcano using vinegar and baking soda. Set it up in the back yard. Surround it with plastic dinosaurs, and video it. Instructions here.
- Read and read and read and read. Then, read some more.
- Tie a rope between two trees in the back yard. Throw a blanket over it and secure it with rocks, to make a tent. Allow your kids to set up their “den” and sleep in it at night. You can join them, too!
- Poke toothpicks around the middle of an avocado seed. Set it on a glass of water and allow your children to watch the roots grow. Perhaps this project will morph into a full-on garden!
- Melt crayon ends at low heat in muffin pans. Use them for abstract art projects.
- Lean two matches against each other, touching at the top. Poke one into the match box so it is stable. Lean the other one against it, with the ends touching. The “foot” of the leaning match can stand on a penny. Ignite them. Watch what happens when the flame reaches the middle of the leaning match!
My kids photograph bugs of all varieties! This June bug was crawling around the deck.
Want to share a fun craft or activity with other homeschoolers? Leave a comment!
Great ideas, but you left one small detail out. Music! I always play music for my kids when we’re doing a project together. Or we listen to an audio book. Actually, I found a great podcast that has free children’s stories. http://www.twirlygirlshop.com/stories-for-kids Hope you don’t mind me posting the link, but I love sharing great stuff when I find it.
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
Awesome post! Thanks so much for sharing!
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
#8 is very important and will be on top of my list on the my things to do with my son. We actually included reading in our daily schedule in the last part of 2012. I would love to try everything on your list. I’m sure my son would enjoy everything on that list.
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
These are great ideas. I think I will try out the train w/ the digicam first. I can already imagine my son’s elight when he watches the videos.
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
I can’t wait for our 2 year old to grow up a bit to try some of the other ones, like hiking. Right now we ride escalators.
.
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
Ha! Love that. There’s nothing like an escalator for fun and confidence building, lol!
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
What a great list of things to do with your children! We used to make tents all time in the summer when we were kids. You’re right they were good times
Thank You for sharing!
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
I have some neat pictures of my kids’ makeshift tent. Then, they got real tents. I have pics of those set up in a hotel. Tent options are endless, lol!
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
These are wonderful things to do. We will definitely try. Thanks for sharing!!!
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
You’re welcome! I hope you make some great memories.
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
Great list! Going for longer hikes is on this year’s list for sure. Thanks for the ideas.
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
You bet! This is a fantastic area for hiking. Thanks for stopping by!
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
Great ideas for kids! Some border on being diabolical even, in a good way, of course.
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.
LOL, thanks!
Please help keep Steer Me Right family safe. Report inappropriate comments.