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Fun with Children: Making Memories on a
Budget
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Having fun with your child and creating meaningful
learning moments does not have to cost a lot. Here is a list of
absolutely free activities that you can do with your child.
By:
KidsActivityCalendar.com |
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What childhood
memories do you hold dear? For me, it was all the times “life happened”.
The little things like playing outside, riding my bike with the wind in my
hair, playing at the park, swimming in the lakes, giggling with friends.
None of those moments cost a cent, yet they are some of my most treasured
memories.
Making memories on a budget is very easy to do. Choose any of the 31 ideas
below and you’ll have a fun-filled time without breaking the bank!
Garden - Plant flowers, fruit trees, herbs, or vegetables. Your child will
learn
science, responsibility and have fun!
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Snip-it - Give your child old toy catalogs or magazines and safe
scissors. Watch them cut all day.
Diggin’ It - Send your child outside with a bucket and small
shovel. Shoveling snow, sand, dirt or rocks — it’s all good fun.
Sing - Turn up the radio and sing! Teach your child the music of
the 70s, 80s, or 90s.
Play Catch - Throw different items (balloons, tennis balls) to your
child. Roll balls to young children.
Sidewalk Chalk - Lay on the sidewalk and take turns outlining each
other. Decorate your flat selves.
Cardboard Boxes - Make towers, build cities, design play houses,
airplanes, trains, forts and more!
Bubbles - Blow Bubbles. Take turns chasing and popping them.
Masks - Create Masks from Paper bags, paper plates, foam, or
anything on hand.
Cards - Introduce your child to all the classic games — UNO, Crazy
8, Go Fish, Old Maid, Memory Match.
Scavenger Hunt - Give your child a list of clues and send him out
to find them. Clues can be simple (find a rock) or very advanced (find a
piece of granite).
Throw Rocks - Go to a pond, creek, or lake and throw rocks. Try to
skip them or aim for different targets.
Bath Time - Bring kitchen utensils into the bath tub. Bubbles and
water can become an imaginary gourmet dinner.
Office - Give your child Junk Mail, stickers, a calculator and pen
— they’ll have their own office!
Photography - Let your child use a disposable camera or a digital
camera and witness their creativity. They may surprise you!
Picnic - Make some sandwiches and eat them outside.
Cooking - Find age-appropriate recipes and let your child help in the
kitchen.
Tag - How many versions of tag do you remember from your childhood?
Teach the oldies to your children (freeze tag, TV tag, etc.)
Write a Story - Younger children can write wiggle-worm sentences
(much scribbling and pictures). Encourage older children to write chapter
books — your child could pen the next Harry Potter or Magic Tree house.
Charades - Toddlers can act out and guess their favorite animals
(usually with many sound effects). Older children will enjoy acting out
movie titles.
Flashlight - Turn off the lights & make shadow puppets. Or get two
flashlights and chase the light beams.
Wildlife - Feed the ducks, squirrels, birds, turtles or fish near
you.
Abundance - Every day, have your children tell you what they are
thankful for.
Dress Up - Give your children your clothes and watch them imitate
you.
Treats - Make cookies and decorate them.
Dance - Turn up the music and Dance!
Play Games - Teach your child all your favorite board games.
Journal - Present a notebook or diary to your child and encourage
them to express their feelings with pictures and words.
Tea Party - Grab the stuffed animals and treat them to a delicious
cup of imaginary tea.
Keep in Touch - Write a letter to Grandparents, Aunts or Uncles.
Teach the importance of family.
I Spy - Come up with age-appropriate clues and let you child guess
what you are thinking.
Be sure to print out this list and keep it handy for the next time your
children say “MOMMMMMM — we’re bored!”
Article by:
Nicole Dean is a co-founder of
www.KidsActivityCalendar.com-- a resource to help parents teach their
kids the alphabet in a fun, positive way. |
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