I don't know how to play with my child

[limon]

She's six.

Of her two parents I am definitely not the fun one.

So much of my life is tied up in working and the serious parts of parenting.

I take her out a lot.

But how can I play with her more?

Art and craft type activities are good as you can join in too? Go to hobbycraft and choose something to do together, that's what I would do

What does she have to play with?

Playdoh? Dolls? Tea set? Water play? Lego? Playmobil? What about games like Guess Who? Junior scrabble, cluedo? Uno?
Find something you like to do and get it set up ready and play. Structured games are easier because they have a finite end.

But just start by pouring 'tea' making a play doh pizza or building a cool skyscraper from Lego and see where the next 20 minutes takes you!

I like to buy new toys sometimes just so I have something new to do, carboots are great, cheap and cheerful do of you don't like it or whatever you haven't wasted loads of money.

It’s easier if you enjoy what you’re playing with as well for example if you would enjoy a dolls house get one to play with, if you don’t like plastic action dolls offer other things to play with together
Do you like doing craft activities? You could go pottery painting or do a workshop together.

With my DD1 (4.5) I don’t really play as that’s not what she’s into. We do crafts, Lego, baking and board games together mainly.
What sort of thing does she like?

I agree with Nostraightedges start with something simple and see where it takes you. The best example I've seen of someone playing well with children is my friend who let's my son 'lead' the play. So if they're playing Lego she will just tip everything out and let him decide what they're going to make. She never bosses or gets upset about the mess or the end result. If they go for a walk she is the same and let's him decide which way to go. It is a breath of fresh air for him and he adores her!

Thanks everyone . Great suggestions!

I’m crap at role play and playing with toys but I’m happy to do play dough, colouring, crafts, Lego. I don’t beat myself up about it. My kids are happy and get plenty of attention from me in lots of ways.

Could you get into something together? Baking? Learning a musical instrument? Gardening?

You need the book Playful Parenting

• imo the best parenting book ever!

I think if you take her out to places a lot and do fun activities then that’s enough, your husband can be the play parent and you can be the fun activity parent. She will have fond memories of you taking her swimming and the Park etc and lovely memories of her Dad playing with her. Kids need a parent not a play mate on tap I think we forget this. Don’t beat yourself up.

Snap I could have written this, except in my case I do KNOW what to do I'm just really, really crap at playing I'm good at baking, craft and reading stories though so I expect he'll survive!!
Op just focus on what you enjoy with dd, be a loving and involved mum and your dd will be fine. It takes all sorts!!

I'm rubbish at the endlessly meandering pushing little figures round the floor type play, so I focus more on arts and crafts, baking, play doh, Lego type things that I enjoy. Im super excited that they're both getting old enough to enjoy board games, which I love. I obviously do participate in the role play stuff sometimes but mainly leave that to my DH. Don't be hard on yourself.