26/07/2009
5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR CHILDREN ENTERTAINED ON A RAINY DAY
Do you ever get stuck for ideas of what to do with your children when it’s raining? Here are 5 fun things to try with your family on a rainy day:
1. Hair styling: Buy some hair gel and have fun styling each other’s hair. See who can come up with the most funny or outrageous hairstyle, then take photos as keepsakes or use them to make Christmas cards.
2. Play together: When was the last time you all played a board game? This is a fantastic way to have fun together and teach younger children about winning and losing. If your children are older, you could challenge them at their favourite computer game. It’s also a great way to learn and supervise the content of their games …
3. Listen to music together: Another great way for parents to spend time with their children. If you have toddlers or preschool children, dance around the living room together to their favorite songs. If you have older children or teens, take time to find out what music they’re into and why they enjoy it – this can help you understand their world a little better. We tend to like music that speaks to our emotions, so listening to each other’s music is a great way to learn more about where they’re at.
4. Create your own spa at home: When the children are young, bath time is a great opportun-ity to share bubbles, laughter and fun. If you have children who are a little older, or teenag-ers, take time to do your nails together or have your own ‘spa day’ at home – soak your feet and then take turns massaging moisturiser into your feet once they are dry. It’s great fun, especially for teenagers, and you never know, they may even communicate more as they relax.
5. Cook and eat together: Preparing dinner together offers another way to have fun with your children. Try at least three nights a week to include your children in the effort to make dinner, from start to finish, and eat it together around the kitchen table. During this time, turn off the TV and any other distractions, so that you can really sit down and talk while you eat. You could even have dinner by candlelight with older children (not advisable with young children).
Remember – you don’t have to wait for a rainy day to try out these ideas. And be creative – look for more fun ways to spend time with your children. These suggestions could be the start of a family tradition for you and your children – which they will remember forever.
(from Care For The Family website)
Do you ever get stuck for ideas of what to do with your children when it’s raining? Here are 5 fun things to try with your family on a rainy day:
1. Hair styling: Buy some hair gel and have fun styling each other’s hair. See who can come up with the most funny or outrageous hairstyle, then take photos as keepsakes or use them to make Christmas cards.
2. Play together: When was the last time you all played a board game? This is a fantastic way to have fun together and teach younger children about winning and losing. If your children are older, you could challenge them at their favourite computer game. It’s also a great way to learn and supervise the content of their games …
3. Listen to music together: Another great way for parents to spend time with their children. If you have toddlers or preschool children, dance around the living room together to their favorite songs. If you have older children or teens, take time to find out what music they’re into and why they enjoy it – this can help you understand their world a little better. We tend to like music that speaks to our emotions, so listening to each other’s music is a great way to learn more about where they’re at.
4. Create your own spa at home: When the children are young, bath time is a great opportun-ity to share bubbles, laughter and fun. If you have children who are a little older, or teenag-ers, take time to do your nails together or have your own ‘spa day’ at home – soak your feet and then take turns massaging moisturiser into your feet once they are dry. It’s great fun, especially for teenagers, and you never know, they may even communicate more as they relax.
5. Cook and eat together: Preparing dinner together offers another way to have fun with your children. Try at least three nights a week to include your children in the effort to make dinner, from start to finish, and eat it together around the kitchen table. During this time, turn off the TV and any other distractions, so that you can really sit down and talk while you eat. You could even have dinner by candlelight with older children (not advisable with young children).
Remember – you don’t have to wait for a rainy day to try out these ideas. And be creative – look for more fun ways to spend time with your children. These suggestions could be the start of a family tradition for you and your children – which they will remember forever.
(from Care For The Family website)
posted by Sinead Reekie at 12:18 pm