Do you enjoy playing?

[nappyaddict]

I just can't do it!! I can do structured activities like cooking, painting, making things, jumping on the trampoline, playing board games etc but I find just messing about and playing really hard.

Can anyone give me ideas of things to do over the holidays that are similar to the above?

No I hate playing, but I have two children so don't need to do it much, oh and dh seems to quite enjoy it

I don't mind running around outside games though, that's quite fun

On walks we play Dora and Boots which consists of mapping our journey into town. We fo three major areas such as the road, the bridge, the tunnel then town. It keeps the DC's occupied when they don't fancy walking.

We sometimes play role reversal (DC1 is the mummy and I'm the child) but we don't play much more. The DC's play together and I am the reader, the owner of the crayons, the music maestro etc.

No, I'm really bad at just relaxing and mucking about. DH is far better at it than I am. Sorry, doesn't help, does it?

Fill the paddling pool (I bought a small one in Tesco for less than a fiver). Use warm water as they last longer in it. Some boats and buckets - bowls from the kitchen will do - and a water pistol. You need a chair, a book and a drink (depends on time of day). You sit in chair reading book and giving occasional encouragement.

If you have a slide all the better. If they pour a bucket of water down first and then slide down.

Pack a picnic for lunch and enjoy.

I managed to pass most of last weekend doing this and ds loved it so much he wants to do it again today - sadly it's raining here.

jubilee I'm not sure where you are, but it's 9 degrees here - not quite paddling pool and water slide weather!!

I like reading to him, singing with him and watching films and cartoons but I don't like to rely on the TV too much.

Oh and I like taking him on his bike, scooter, go kart etc in the street.

Just found this bowling set in ASDA and it's on offer - 2 things for 8 quid so a bargain really.

I think that could be something we could definitely enjoy doing together and I've also had the idea to do a treasure hunt around the garden either with clues or by finding coins with his metal detector. I might try hide and seek, but I don't know if he'd get it yet.

His motor skills aren't too good so we often play games with shape sorters, jigsaws, building blocks to improve that and also games given to us by the speech and language therapist - SNAP, and other picture matching type games.

He loves numbers and letters, so I am trying to think of things we can do together based on that.

We are currently in the process of doing up our garden and he is enjoying pottering about with some child size trowles and watering can. We are hoping to get a veg patch sorted soon which is something we could do together. I think I am going to plant some herb boxes and flowerpots with him for the time being and maybe go to the library to find some books on the topic. He's got a child sized mower that he likes getting under my feet with when I mow the grass. He also likes helping me wash and dry up, putting clothes away, dust, sweep and mop and getting his toy dyson out when I do the vacuuming

He likes playing with his cars to knock down towers of bricks, plastic cups etc.

A few people have suggested putting on a talent show, dance contest, puppet show or a play and dress up in fancy dress clothes. I don't think I'd personally enjoy doing those sorts of things but I'll put the idea up in case anyone else can gain from it. It did give me the idea to perhaps do a kareoke type thing or singing contest though.

I hate playing too! I love the holidays cos ds1 is at home to play with ds2 so I don't have to!! Usually I get ds2 to help me do jobs round the house and we go for walks a lot. Do you do magazines eg cbeebies with him? Is usually good for a bit. And instead of hide and seek try getting him to hide something in the room and then you have to find it (warmer, colder etc) esp if you get him to pretend it is treasure and you are pirates. Obv don't choose anything too valuable just in case...

We are in the Scottish Highlands, but we're hardy

No, I don't do 'playing'.

I can do board games (through gritted teeth), museums, reading, climbing in the park, but make believe and 'funny' stuff goes over my head.

Oooh hiding stuff is a good idea.

I don't buy magazines cos I think they are a rip off but we do have some of those work books from wilkos and the poundshop where he tells me the answer and I write them down.

I might try him with paint by numbers because I used to like those.

We like going on nature walks, collecting lots of stuff, then making stuff with it over the next few days.

I like playing hide and seek with my son as he will stay hidden no matter how long it takes to find him

Lego, playmobile, connects, ps3, schools, board games, colouring in .........
I love it

Oh yes and "what time is it mr wolf" is s good one for learning counting, and you get to do chasing and tickling plus if you have a long hallway or a big room you can play it inside on a rainy day

nappy it sounds like you do loads of brilliant stuff.

You'll be surprised at how many people shudder at the thought of cooking or painting with them....( OH,THE MESS !!)

We do make a tent with the dining table and blankets,and they then have a picnic in there.

Also mud pies and potions are a good one.

And bug hunts.

Finally an assault course in the garden or park.

I do enjoy playing, which is why I worked as a playworker before DS was born However, I find it harder to play now that I am a busy mum with a million other things to do at the same time.

Don't worry if playing isn't your thing. Playing is what children do naturally, and they don't necessarily need your help and involvement all the time. Adults can help to provide a good play environment (safe and with plenty of stimulating stuff to do - some great suggestions above). It's great if parents can be involved when the children want them to be but please don't think it is your responsibility as a mother to 'direct' their play all the time.

Spending time with other children is important. One of my favourite ways to facilitate DS's play is to invite some friends round with their children, put the paddling pool up in the garden with plenty of 'toys' (e.g. old plastic bottles etc.) for them to play with, then sit drinking tea and chatting while the children get on with it!

btw nappyaddict it sounds like you do LOADS of really lovely play activities with your children. You may be overthinking this

Oooh making a den and having a picnic sounds like a good one and potions/mud pies. Will also try Mr Wolf/Moother Goose type games. Maybe something like pin the tail on the donkey too.