This page will be forever changing with updates and links because the support that parents and families needs change. It seems like some of the affects of covid epidemic has influenced and changed modern family dynamics the way we interect with our families and friends.
Parents of today seem more inclined to cherish family interactions and celebrations.They are clever and time-minded like exceptional parents have always been. However, keeping kids home motivated many parents to hone those skills needed in reconnecting with their children through play. They developed their inner Peter Pan. My neice and nephew are so awesome at playing with their kids every chance that they get. Because playing with their children is their playtime too.
How Do You Like to Play?
Take a minute and think back to your childhood. How did you like to play?
Did you play with dolls and decorate their homes? Were you a builder and creator of magnificent things? Did you yearn to be outside digging in the dirt? Did you spend most of your time with your nose in a book?
Remember things that you loved to do that you might enjoy doing with your kids now.
I loved to build, cook, and sing as a child. So for fun playtime with my kids, I make block towers, bake cookies, and have silly dance parties while singing 80’s music at the top of our lungs.
Make playtime mutually enjoyable for everyone.
Get Active
By far the easiest and most fun way to play with my kids is by getting active.
I don’t mean going for a family jog, I mean tickle wars, wrestling matches, running laps around the house, and playing hide and seek. My boys are extremely active, and when I’m active and silly with them, we laugh harder than at any other time during the day.
Plus, when we get active, our pituitary gland excretes endorphins that make us feel good. They literally give us feelings of euphoria. So when we want to play and enjoy our time with our kids, get active and let the brain chemistry boost our mood too!
The importance of play
Play is central to your child’s learning and development. When your child plays, it gives them many different ways and times to learn.
Play also helps your child:
build confidence
feel loved, happy and safe
understand more about how the world works
develop social skills, language and communication
learn about caring for others and the environment
develop physical skills.
How To Enjoy Playing Again
Don't judge yourself if you really don't like playing with them.
WEEKEND IMAGES INC. VIA GETTY IMAGES
Children, no matter what culture they're a part of, or where they are in the world, love to play.
Kids can play with imaginary friends, real friends, siblings, grandparents and of course, their beloved parents. But while children have a seemingly endless capacity for play, parents' ability or willingness is highly variable.
While children have a seemingly endless capacity for play, parents' ability or willingness is highly variable.
Some parents simply don't like to play with their kids at all. Getting down on the floor with Hot Wheels and Barbie dolls might not be their thing, and this can lead to a lot of guilt.
But, instead of kicking yourself for not liking playtime, there are ways to play with your kids that might be more to your liking.
RICHLEGG VIA GETTY IMAGES
Here are some tips to get you started:
Find a style of play you like
Play is a very general word. Perhaps your own definition is too narrow. In fact, maybe there are some types of play you do like, or at least like more than others. I find no silly within
GETTY IMAGES/ISTOCKPHOTO
If dress-up and make-believe aren't your cup of tea, why not see if a more structured type of play is more appealing? For example, boards games and cards are more rule-bound, and you don't even have to put on a princess crown.
Agree to watch
If your child wants to play house, or with crayons, you could agree to watch. Simply showing your child you are interested in them and like spending time with them is meaningful.
GETTY IMAGES
While you watch, make comments like, "Oh, I see you're making dinner for your teddy bear. I bet he'll like that."
Be You- Find your Niche
There are so many ways to play, stay true to yourself. Try something you enjoyed as child or love to do as an adult and imagine doing it as a young child would. You will notice your child watching you that is a cue to include them in what you are doing. Capitalize on that and savor the moment when they reach out to you with their interest. Then show an eagerness to include them.
Hope was always always interested in my scrapbooking. To the point that you could tell she was going to be way into art. She had very little hands so I gave her recipe cards to paint on together and she had her own scrapbook papers for photographs and stickers and we would share the same supplies. Her dad played "Princess" and was great with pretend play. Our niche was exploring nature, and early playdough, and art.
You don't have to be good at every style of play. Different kinds of play come and go in stages.
Open your mind
Perhaps you are being too quick to decide that you don't like playing a certain way or a certain game. Perhaps "no" is a knee-jerk reaction to something that looks silly or frivolous at first glance.
Try to open your mind and be curious and experimental. Instead of frowning at the thought of getting your tired bones on the trampoline, join in and test the waters.
GETTY IMAGES
Maybe your memories of badminton were that you were an awful player, but don't let that stop you. You may be surprised to discover that the skill you were bad at when you were a kid may have vastly improved now that you're an adult.
Try to recall your childhood
What experiences of being with your own parents were fun and remembered by you? How did they connect to you that made you feel loved? Is that something you can re-enact? How did you like to play as a child? Do you desire to share those things with your children? Complete this statement...I can't wait to teach my children to enjoy...? Mine was going to the 1000 Island, the blessings that nature provides, jumprope, sensory art and process art, ride bikes, build a fort, how to play with playdough, tea parties, picnics, discover and explore where the animals live, how to make land art with little bits from nature, sewing and crafts...
ANCHIY VIA GETTY IMAGES
Or alternatively, if your parents were absent in this way, what did you secretly yearn for or need that you could give to your child now as a way of connecting? Your child may not like building model airplanes, but if you start up your childhood hobby again they may take an interest in order to spend time with you.
It doesn't always look like play
Play offers connection, bonding, and co-operation. Those are the same ingredients present in baking cookies together, or washing a car in the driveway. Sometimes it's the spirit of playfulness that we bring to daily activities that turns the mundane into play.
Sometimes it's the spirit of playfulness that we bring to daily activities that turns the mundane into play.
When we do these activities together it causes the release of oxytocin, which helps people feel a sense of attachment. If you have moments of joy and laughter together, you are playing.
Ask yourself: What else do I do well and enjoy?
If you are still feeling like play is not ever going to be your thing, try to remind yourself of all the other ways in which you parent that you are proud of and do well at.
GETTY IMAGES
After all, if you think about it from a developmental perspective, doesn't it make sense that someone with a college education needs more stimulation than can be provided from playing Lego for eight hours?
If you have a good relationship with your child and they feel loved and connected — whether through play or other activities — you're doing just fine! Don't judge yourself just because you don't like to play; there are many ways to build a connection with your kid.
Key points
Play is key to children’s learning, development, confidence and wellbeing.
Variety in play is important because it helps with all areas of children’s development.
Unstructured play and structured play are the main types of play.
We have 4 websites to help you find some ideas as to how to connect with your childs interests through play. Your children live for the moments that you play with them. So make time for that everyday in your daily rythmn. If you set out play prompts, invitations to play, play provocation or personal Montessori tray play or invitations, make them about something you both will enjoy. Try keeping your childs interest and what makes them giggly in mind. Find out what you both enjoy and make mental notes of things that were too difficult or not interesting to them.
Incredible Horizons
Our original website was launched in 2001. Our focus being natural solutions for treating neurodivergance in children. We have cut way back on the medical information and eliminated the retail section. Now we can offer inspiration and tips to grow a happy healthy family.
How many times a day do you hear... "Will you play with me?"
How do you react? What is your style of play? Are you really too tired? What is your child into? How do you choose your childs toys?
Find inspiration and confidence to enjoy playing and create playful adventures again with a variety of play prompts in several styles of play.
My favorite kind of play is open ended play. Russ was into the imaginary play even played Princess. Fortunatly. he also had Hope playing with Rokenbok by four years old, kid sizing his engineering skills.
What happened today in your backyard or community park?
Everyone that was there will have their own story to tell depending on on how they used their senses to explore and discover in the natural world. What was seen, touched, smelled, heard, tasted or experienced.
Discovering free play again will add an uncommon joy in your connection with your children. Nothing says I love you like being willing to engage Learn how to create and play with natures treasured little bits and to explore our world with ease. Every way to play outside is just outside your door...it's free, they get some energy out, and it adds cheer to their day.
First rule of thumb, is to be outside with your children!!! So build your own corner of the yard so you enjoy being outside too.
So maybe you have a child that loves art, and you are not an artist. (I can relate!)
Open ended art allows you to just put out the supplies that will inspire your children's imagination. Every work of art is unique because each person has their own style, creative personality and ability.
It's exciting to watch your young artist challenge themselves to find new ways to use their favorite tools and art supplies to cleverly create on their own or to experience a collaborative project with the loving support of others.
Sit down as buddies and create together with an family size or classroom "Invitation to create" or a personalized art-venture aligned with their interests and energy level.
No leadership required!!!
Creative Play Prompts and Experimenting with Art Supplies
"Creativity is the ability to produce work that is original (that others have not thought of before) and that is appropriate (sensible or useful in some way)". It has nothing to do with age or intelligence. In fact all the people pictured below could have the same level of art skills.
Choice-based art allows unique students to truly blossom and find their voices as artists. Offering choice means modifying the process, content, and/or product in art class, so every student can work at their own pace and ability level. That means each student naturally can feel successful and included.
Searching for ways to keep kids entertained this summer without breaking the bank? It’s not as hard as you imagine, but it can take some serious brainstorming. For me, coming up with summer activities for kids is always stressful. Summer camp is expensive, and finding ways to keep them uninterested in their devices can be a challenge. Kids, especially young ones, need something fun to pique their interest, ignite their imaginations, and hold their attention for more than a few seconds at a time. That’s where these fun summer activities for kids come in!
Whether you’re in the mood for crafts, being outdoors, playing games, or creating fun science experiments, these ideas have you covered! We even throw in a few fun snack ideas for when kids need a full belly before they continue with their summer play.
Where to buy supplies for summer activities for kids.
The beauty of these activities is that they require very few supplies, and the ones you need are super affordable. Your first stop should be the dollar store. Stores like Dollar Tree will likely have the best deals on supplies for these summer ideas. If you strike out at the dollar store, try craft stores like Joann or Michaels. You can also find cheap supplies at Walmart or Target’s Dollar Spot.
You don’t have to spend a ton of money on new toys to keep your kids entertained this summer. Just get a little creative, a little crafty, and have a good time.
Summer activities wouldn’t be complete without water, right? Freeze Dollar Tree toys (or toys you already have) of varying weights in a large container of water. Challenge kids to find the toys by carefully chipping away at the ice with a hammer.
To release ice from the container, you may need to submerge the container in a sink of hot water for a few seconds.
Tip: Avoid injury by having your kids wear safety glasses.
2. Recycle an empty water bottle by building your own sprinkler.
Looking for easy summer activities for kids that will also cool them down? Try making a homemade sprinkler!
Help your kids with a drill to create holes wherever they want water to squirt out. Then using waterproof tape, attach an empty plastic bottle to the end of a hose.
3. Make glow-in-the-dark sand.
Seriously, y’all, this one is so easy. Add Epsom salt or another salt variety to a zip-top bag, and add a squirt or two of glow-in-the-dark paint or fluorescent paint. Use a different bag for each paint color. Seal the bag, and mix until the salt color is evenly distributed.
Once the color is distributed, open the bag and allow the salt to dry for 24 hours (lay the salt on a cookie sheet to dry faster). Once it’s dry, let kids play with their new glow-in-the-dark sand.
Since this is a rather simple activity, it’s a great summer craft for preschoolers. Need more storage bags? Here are some Ziploc coupons and deals.
4. Make s’mores cones as a tasty ice cream alternative.
This is a must-add to your summer activities list. Fill sugar cones with mini marshmallows and chocolate chips, wrap them in aluminum foil, and grill for seven to 10 minutes. Keep the cones away from open flames. Unwrap and enjoy!
These can also be made in the oven (at a temperature of about 350 degrees).
5. Create a jar of summer activities using popsicle sticks.
Brainstorm a bunch of summer activities, and write them down on popsicle sticks. When boredom strikes (because it will), choose a stick and complete an activity. You could even add colorful washi tape strips or glitter glue to make the statements more special.
6. Play glow-in-the-dark backyard ring toss.
Glow sticks are party tools that both kids and adults can enjoy. To make this summer activity come alive, stick a sturdy 12-inch glow stick in the ground or use a rubber band to tie two to three bracelets together (vertically).
Tip: Dollar Tree deals are usually unbeatable — and they get better with coupons!
7. Turn a pool noodle into a racetrack for marbles and more!
Adults, use a sharp knife to cut a pool noodle in half lengthwise. Open it wide enough so that it’s still intact (not separated) and wide enough for a Hot Wheels car and marbles to slide down. You could even create a Start and Finish line with index cards and toothpicks. Attaching an empty shoe box at the end will stop runaway cars and other racing objects.
Now you’re the coolest adult these kids know. It’s an easy indoor summer activity for toddlers too.
8. Prepare writing prompts and have kids start a summer journal.
Writing prompts for kids, aka creative writing projects, build writing and reading skills and can really spark their imagination. Expand on this semi-educational summer activity by having them choose a new prompt every day to encourage creative play.
Writing prompts could include things like:
Checking out poetry books at the library and finding a poem they like. Then copy it into their journal. They can circle words that are fun or meaningful.
Going outside and writing down what they hear, see, smell, and feel.
Finding a recipe with an adult and making something special.
Writing a letter to a family member and mailing it to them.
9. Make sidewalk paint with cornstarch, water, and food coloring.
A summer project isn’t complete without some sort of chalk, right? Here’s a DIY summer chalkboard idea with ingredients from around the house.
Mix 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a blender, and blend on low speed until smooth. Transfer to a plastic bowl and stir in 12 drops of food coloring. Use paintbrushes and sponges to decorate the sidewalk. The paint washes away with water.
10. Use Kool-Aid scented, colorful glue to make window clings and art.
Pour a packet of Kool-Aid (go crazy with loud colors) into a bottle of school glue and mix thoroughly using a thin, long utensil like a chopstick or wooden skewer. You can also skip the Kool-Aid and just buy colored glue.
With your colored glue, create art on a canvas or paper. Or try making designs on stretched plastic wrap (tape down the sides to remove creases) that can be dried and used as window clings.
Tip: When using more than one color per gel-cling design, allow each color to dry first; otherwise, the colors may run together.
11. Add backyard bowling to your kids’ summer activities list.
If you can’t go to the bowling alley, bring the bowling alley to your backyard! This is one of my favorite summer activities for kids.
Fill small socks with rice and tie the ends with rubber bands and ribbon. Then cover six empty, clean 15-ounce cans with colored tape, making sure the tape covers any sharp edges.
Set cans up in a pyramid, and have kids stand several feet away. Whoever knocks down all the cans within two tries wins!
12. Play glow-in-the-dark bowling.
If you have leftover glow sticks from No. 6’s activity, here’s another chance to make your summer nights better. Insert Dollar Tree glow sticks into bottles filled with water, replace the cap, and use a ball to knock them over. You could also arrange them for indoor hallway play.
13. Conduct a summer science activity with balloons, baking soda, and vinegar.
Summer science experiments are some of the best kids’ activities! You’ll need vinegar, baking soda, balloons, and empty water bottles.
Using a funnel, fill an old water bottle about 1/3 of the way full with vinegar. Dry the funnel, and use it to pour baking soda into a balloon. Fill the balloon up halfway with baking soda.
Cover the top of the bottle with your baking-soda balloon, but make sure you don’t let the baking soda spill into the bottle prematurely.
When you and your child are ready, lift the balloon and let the baking soda fall into the vinegar.
Since baking soda and vinegar create an acid-base chemical reaction as soon as they’re combined, the balloon will start to inflate, filling up with the carbon dioxide gas created by the reaction in the bottle.
Gotta love cheap summer activities that are also impromptu music classes. Grab a few pennies, a pair of old sneakers, and a hot glue gun. Use hot glue to attach pennies to the bottoms of your child’s shoes for instant tap shoes.
Do you still have your glue gun hot from Tip 14? Using colored glue sticks (or regular ones), create one large blob of glue on a silicone baking mat, then a line roughly 13 – 15 inches long (or the length needed to fit around your child’s neck), with a second large blob at the other end.
Then fashion whatever design you’d like in between the blobs, and allow the glue to dry. Punch a hole in each end’s big blob, and use string to tie ends together.
16. Make caterpillars with grapes, chocolate chips, skewers, and icing.
Summer activities for kids are even better when you can eat them (the activity, not the kid)! Wash a container of grapes and skewer them from end to end. To make a caterpillar face, use a toothpick to dab vanilla icing on the end grape. Add mini chocolate chips, and there you have an edible caterpillar for a healthy summer snack.
17. Create a custom play mat.
When money is tight, you gotta take the cheap route to keep these kids entertained. Dollar stores are a gold mine for inexpensive summer kids’ craft ideas. Use colored sharpies to draw on a clear shower curtain liner. Let your kiddos get busy drawing their heart’s desire.
After all of your hard work with kids, don’t you need a sugar break? Grab a pint of your favorite ice cream and cut the container horizontally into 1-inch-thick circles. Then push the label off. This shape just so happens to be the perfect size to fit between two giant cookies. Now, go smash your treat (forget the kids) — you deserve it.
19. Insert a plastic or wooden spoon into yogurt cups and freeze for easy yogurt pops.
Here’s another cool summer activity that even the kids can help with. Have your little ones pick their favorite yogurt, stick a food-grade popsicle stick in the middle, and freeze it. After at least three hours, pop them out and enjoy! Want to prevent the yogurt from dripping? Slip a cupcake liner through the stick so that it lays underneath the frozen yogurt.
Fill a binder with printables, games, and other fun things to do on road trips.
Kids typically hit the annoyance stage at the 30-minute mark of a road trip, so you’d better pack more than enough summer activities for kids. Get a big binder and put each child’s name on it.
Then fill it with fun things: crayons and coloring pages (Amazon has coloring pages for kids), scavenger hunt checklists (license plates, landmarks, and animals are all great), bingo scoreboards, finger puppets, activity printables, small books or audiobooks, and other surprise goodies.
Give it to them as soon as you set off, and pray that they don’t finish too quickly.
21. Throw eggs filled with paint.
Here’s a summer idea that can get a little messy, but it’s so fun. Plus, toddlers like to throw things anyway.
Drain a dozen eggs by using a push pin to make several small holes on top of each egg. Once you’ve made enough push-pin holes, you should be able to easily break away a portion of an egg. Create a large enough hole to pour the paint through, then watch your kids have fun creating modern masterpieces!
Use the drained eggs to make a quick omelet or scramble for breakfast the next day.
22. Painting with flowers should be on every summer activities list for kids.
Daisies, mums, and carnations create interesting patterns and shapes when dipped in acrylic paint. Just cover your table with brown kraft paper, lay out white construction paper or printer paper, and set up cups of paint. Using real leaves, have them dip them in paint and create artwork on their paper.
Try asking a local florist for wilting flowers; most are happy to give them to you for free if they know they’re being used for educational purposes.
23. Instead of water balloons, throw sponge balls this summer.
Head to the dollar store to gather ingredients for this craft; there’s no point in spending a lot on this one! You’ll need two plain sponges per ball. Cut each sponge into six long strips. Then stack six strips on top of six strips like so:
Place a rubber band tightly around the center of all the pieces, then manually move the pieces to form a star shape.
Fill up a couple of buckets with water, soak the sponges, and throw them around for fun on a hot summer day. Or you can have the kids wash your car!
24. Camp in the backyard.
As a DIY summer camp activity (with a true emphasis on “camp”), this couldn’t be easier. Just set up your gear in the backyard with all of the accessories — snacks, pillows, sleeping bags, and a tent. Don’t forget the s’mores! Bring your portable speaker and phone to have a dance party before bedtime.
Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring until the dough clumps together and reaches play dough consistency. Repeat the process for each color.
26. Have kids make their own shirts.
Here’s another one of my favorite summer crafts for kids. We do this every year for the 4th of July. Take any old white T-shirt (or buy a cheap one), have them paint six red strips horizontally, and finish with their handprint in blue (as shown).
This makes for an excellent summer craft for preschoolers!
Tip: Make sure to use fabric paint so the design will last longer.
27. Make marshmallow shooters with balloons and toilet paper rolls.
You’re just three items away from one of the best summer games for kids: marshmallow shooters. Use an empty toilet paper tube and fit a balloon around one end. Add a couple of mini marshmallows to the balloon end, and watch out as your kid shoots them at you!
28. Play tic-tac-toe in the yard.
As a summer activity, tic-tac-toe isn’t just for kids! Plus, it’s perfect for the park or your backyard. Make a reusable tic-tac-toe board with an old shower curtain liner, duct tape, and frisbees. If you only have one frisbee, just toss plastic picnic plates instead!
29. Create a DIY Slip and Slide
Use landscape anchor pins or tent stakes to pin down heavy-duty plastic sheeting in your yard. Use a hose or sprinkler and some baby soap to create a slippery slide for the whole family!
30. Bubbly ball pit
Use a plastic kiddie pool, plastic ball pit balls, and some dish soap to create a fun and foamy activity for kids.
Mix up a washable chalk paint mixture using one cup of water, two tablespoons of corn starch, and a few drops of food coloring. Fill balloons with this chalk paint and let kids throw them at targets or at the sidewalk.
Tip: Use a clean soap-dispenser pump to fill water balloons with the washable chalk-paint mixture.
Homemade Building Blocks DIY Tutorial
It all started when I saw designer genuine multicolor stones and so I wanted to have the same for my daughter! And I decided to shape the bricks on my own.
So, you need:
- 1 glass of baking soda
- 1/2 glass of starch
- 3/4 glass of cold water
I made 2 full batches — this was anough for 120 details of small size.
Pour starch and soda
Pour water and mix well
Put the mixture on a medium heat (4 of the 9) and stir constantly until it becomes like mashed potatoes.
Put the mixture on the table to cool down. Then knead it until it become soft, elastic, non-sticky.
Now proceed to colouring the mass. Just a couple of crumbs and the mass becomes sufficiently dyed.
Now the basic moment — model the parts. I sculpted cylinders, rectangles and squares of different size.
Leave it to dry.
IMPORTANT: 1. Leave a small amount of the mass of each color to cover possible cracks after drying.
2. As the upper surface begins to fade — turn the detail to the other side to prevent cracks.
When the parts are completely dry (which is about 1.5 days), coat the cracks. Sand all rough parts.
Remova all dust and coat with a protective vaarnish — mat or glossy. Dry.
While the details are drying, choose and decorate a container for storage.
Ready! My daughter liked it! It is pleasant to touch, almost like pebbles.
