Five Fun and Simple Games for Dad & the Kids
How many times have I had downtime with the kids and they are bored, they’re slumping around the house with gaze fixed on me, as if to say, “Dad, what can we dooooooOO?” It’s not easy having fresh ideas to pull out of my hat, some of you dads might know what I’m talking about. Here are five free activities that will entertain the kids for hours.
I often try to see this as an opportunity to bond with the kids and to teach them the finer point of playing well with others and communication which usually means picking up on social cues, keep in mind I am talking about toddlers and preschool kids.
Over the next few months I will throw out a few more ideas and maybe eventually I will compile a master list. Moms and Dads, please pipe in.
1. Shadow Tag: all it takes is a sunny day – go to an open area, chase each other around using shadows. Whoever is “it” steps on somebody else’s shadow thus making that person “it.” Of course you don’t have to play with them, but explain the rules and set them up for a friendly round or two of tag, so they can get some exercise, have some fun and maybe blow some steam off.
2. Play Fort: I just did this with the boys yesterday. It was cold and rainy outside. They had an absolute blast. Span blankets across the backs of two chairs or simply throw a sheet or tablecloth over the dining room table, viola – a “fort.” They filled the fort with pillows, stuffed animals, snacks and flashlights. Once the novelty started wearing off, “Daddy Monster” came in to attack them when they were inside the fort, squeals of joy – that’s all I’ll say.
3. Monster Mask: regardless of your artistic abilities, I think everyone can have a good time with this. Take a brown paper shopping bag and have the kids draw a scary face with crayons, pencils, markers, whatever… Cut the eyes out, unless they old enough to do it themselves. Have them take the time to paste colored paper (perhaps for the hair), paint it (poster or tempera paint would work good), color it in, be creative! Have them put there Monster Masks on and have them chase you or each other around [*be sure to give them good-sized eye holes so they have some type of peripheral vision].
4. Fly a Kite: I got a cheap $5 kite on a whim months ago because I saw some dad flying one with his kid in the park. I have since taken my kids to the park to fly that cheap $5 kite over a dozen times! They really get a kick over wrestling that little thing as it gets tugged up and down and all around.
5. 20 Questions: on post-it notes write down characters, people or things that your kids know (ex. Mickey Mouse, Daddy, giraffe, peanut butter sandwich, etc.) and tack them on your kid’s back and have your kid do the same for you. Spend up to twenty questions trying to guess what is on your back.
