1. Hide
Play hide and seek. Or sardines.
Make cubby houses, inside or out.
Build a tent.
2. Draw
Together as a family.
With crayons, pencils, charcoal, felt tips.
3. Laugh
Tell silly jokes.
Tickle each other.
Make funny faces.
4. Watch
Watch family movies on video.
Watch a classic movie on DVD.
Don’t forget the popcorn.
5. Bake
Cupcakes. Biscuits. Bread.
Mudpies.
6. Act
Perform a play.
Play with puppets.
Try charades.
7. Find
On a treasure hunt.
In your home. In your garden.
Around your neighborhood.
8. Glue
Create a collage on paper, a box, a canvas, a piece of … anything
9. Run
Run a race.
Try a wheelbarrow race.
Or an egg and spoon race.
10. Clean
Vacuum the floor. Dust the shelves. Wash the car.
Together – it’s more fun.
11. Swim
In the sea. In a pool. In the bath.
12. Dance
To your favourite tunes.
Fairy wings optional.
13. Listen
To an audio story.
Play I Spy.
Play Simon Says.
14. Photograph
Hand over the camera to your child.
Make a collage or album of their images.
15. Picnic
Use paper plates and fingers. Take a night off from washing up.
16. Jump
On a trampoline.
In a sack race.
17. Paint
With feathers. With sticks. With brushes. With your fingers.
18. Build
A castle.
A tree house.
A rocket ship.
19. Read
A magazine. Or a comic book. Or a picture book. Or a novel.
Out loud to the people you care about.
20. Dig
For hidden treasure.
In sand or in soil.
21. Sing
Nursery rhymes.
Play along with a homemade instrument.
Record it for prosperity.
22. Ride
A seesaw. A trike. A bike. A horse. A camel. An elephant.
23. Write
An email. A letter. A story.
With your children.
24. Throw
A ball. A water balloon. An egg.
Just make sure you catch!
25. Make
Whatever your child’s heart desires. Just be creative. Together.
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Christie Burnett is an early childhood teacher, presenter, writer and the editor of Childhood 101. More importantly, she is a Mum who believes wholeheartedly in the value of children learning through play, the importance of quality early education, and the togetherness of family.
M (Perth WA)