By: Lisa Armstrong
Years from now when your kids recall their fondest childhood memories, chances are they'll talk about the great times the family spent together—you chasing them through the park, rowdy games of tag, charades in the family room while the rain pummeled the windows. Play is the essence of childhood. "It's how children learn everything the best, from reading to counting," explains Lawrence Cohen, PhD, author of Playful Parenting. But let's face it: We often feel too busy to get goofy with the kids. Yet play is good for us, too, a perfect way to reconnect with family at the end of a hectic day. "Playing is how parents and children—from toddlers to teenagers—communicate best," says Stephen Virgilio, PhD, author of Active Start for Healthy Kids. In fact, experts suggest that families get at least 30 minutes of play every day. To help you get your daily dose, we've collected creative, easy activities that will remind you how deliciously wonderful it is to simply be a kid.Family RoomIndoor OlympicsHere's an indoor contest that's low competition, high fun, from The Children's
Busy Book, by Trish Kuffner: Take turns standing on a taped starting line and see how far you can jump. After everyone decorates a paper plate to make a personalized discus, tape off a square on the floor and see who can toss his discus into it. For shot put, try throwing a balloon across a string line several feet away. The balloons won't travel far, so anyone who makes it deserves a medal! Bonus Learning Perk Even simple sports improve motor function and hand-eye coordination.Socks OffDr. Cohen calls this game "intro to wrestling"—just right for not-so-rough moms. Everyone takes off shoes but keeps socks on and then sits in a circle with all feet in the middle. After someone shouts, "Ready, set, go!" try to get everyone else's socks off using your feet, hands, whatever—while keeping yours on. The last person with a sock on wins.
Bonus Learning Perk Physical games like this enhance motor skills as they encourage strategic thinking.
Fall Fashion ShowIt's Fashion Week chez vous! Donna Erickson, host of the PBS show Donna's Day and author of Fabulous Funstuff for Families, suggests this entertaining way to prepare for back-to-school shopping: Have your kids model last year's outfits so you can see what fits and what doesn't.
Busy Book, by Trish Kuffner: Take turns standing on a taped starting line and see how far you can jump. After everyone decorates a paper plate to make a personalized discus, tape off a square on the floor and see who can toss his discus into it. For shot put, try throwing a balloon across a string line several feet away. The balloons won't travel far, so anyone who makes it deserves a medal! Bonus Learning Perk Even simple sports improve motor function and hand-eye coordination.Socks OffDr. Cohen calls this game "intro to wrestling"—just right for not-so-rough moms. Everyone takes off shoes but keeps socks on and then sits in a circle with all feet in the middle. After someone shouts, "Ready, set, go!" try to get everyone else's socks off using your feet, hands, whatever—while keeping yours on. The last person with a sock on wins.
Bonus Learning Perk Physical games like this enhance motor skills as they encourage strategic thinking.
Fall Fashion ShowIt's Fashion Week chez vous! Donna Erickson, host of the PBS show Donna's Day and author of Fabulous Funstuff for Families, suggests this entertaining way to prepare for back-to-school shopping: Have your kids model last year's outfits so you can see what fits and what doesn't.
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