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Original poster

Nice things to do with kids

30 replies

niceglasses · 08/01/2008 18:59

Slightly sort of following on from another thread.

I have thought for a wee while I have become a bit lost in my parenting. I've forgotten how to play with them, how to connect in some way. I'm sorry if this sounds poncey tosh. Its just all my interaction with them seems to be negative, or a lot of it. Get this, do that, put that on, blah blah. We do do nice things, but a lot of it is going out...for a meal, horseriding, shopping. I think I have let 'doing something' take the place of playing with them/being with them.

I could use some simple ideas for things your kids enjoy. Mine are 2 boys 7 and 5 and a girl 3. I know when they come in from schl I let them watch too much TV (tho I usually turn it off after tea) and the computer.

I'm not that crafty/arty but I'll have a go. I think I have to learn to enjoy it.

Its all making me feel like a bit of a crap parent (that and some other things mentioned on the other thread).

Thanks.

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dooley1 · 08/01/2008 19:02

If I remember correctly I think you work in a library so saying reading won't help.
Do they still like drawing, sticking etc?
My ds likes doing jigsaws mostly with dh though) as I run out of patience.
Family games also help - Elefun is the current fave.

Original poster
niceglasses · 08/01/2008 19:04

They do like reading you know, I think I have too readily sidelined that to bed time, tho I do read their schl stuff etc.

Sticking etc - you know, I've become so lazy I don't even know if they like it any more.

OP posts:
Lizzylou · 08/01/2008 19:06

My boys are 3.75yrs and 21mths and I know how you feel!
I have started to try and engage with them a bit more (except this afternoon when I had a banging headache and nausea and stuck a DVD on for them!).
We do lots of arty/crafty stuff, cooking (they can "help" make dinner) but they are younger.
I've also started doing maps of the Living Room and Playroom and having a "Treasure Hunt", using the gold coins left over from Christmas. They love it!
Dancing always works well, I just draw the curtains so the sight of my wobbling behind doesn't scare the neighbours

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southeastastra · 08/01/2008 19:08

i hide behind doorways and jump out at them. they freak out but enjoy it.

Berrie · 08/01/2008 19:12

these books are full of really good ideas

Original poster
niceglasses · 08/01/2008 19:15

I like the hiding behind doors idea........

and I might splash out on the book.

Thanks, I appreciate it. I think I've just got stuck in a rut!

OP posts:
shoshe · 08/01/2008 19:17

What about things like Hunt the Thimble, Hide and seek kids still love playing them, al least my Mindees do.

bagpuss · 08/01/2008 19:18

dh said much the same recently. On Sunday he sat with dd (5) and made hama bead pictures with her which he said was hugely satisfying. I tend to do things like play dough (we have made it ourselves which they can help with) and colouring/cutting/sticking with them, also wrap them up warmly and go into the garden and blow bubbles (we have some gazillion bubble stuff which is excellent) then they get the chance to run around and get a bit of fresh air too. I also like building lego with ds1 (7) and duplo with ds2 (2).

tigermoth · 08/01/2008 19:22

Letting them take their plastic toys into a bath of water, and staying with them while they play? Also on the watery theme, you could try taking them indoor swimming after school - play and bathtime all in one!

tigermoth · 08/01/2008 19:36

ps I feel really guilty that I never did much of this stuff when my sons were younger. I took them out a lot to places they enjoyed, but was not so good with entertaining them at home. Now my youngest is 8 I have not got much childhood entertaining left

BroccoliSpears · 08/01/2008 19:53

We had a lovely time being animals this afternoon.

Bears: Arms high above head, lumber about going "BEARRRRRRRR"

Elephants: Arms as trunks. Much trumpeting.

Snakes: Hissing on belly.

You get the idea.

robinredbreast · 08/01/2008 21:31

how about moonsand ?

maisiedaisy · 08/01/2008 21:37

What is moon sand?

Spidermama · 08/01/2008 21:40

I struggle with this too niceglasses. I think the sheer wonder and enchantment you have with child 1 and 2 begins to wear off somewhat once you start getting to 3 and 4. It's also because the workload (housework, cooking laundry etc) means you're busier than ever and even less likely to want to play I'm a Little Teapot and Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush etc.

One of the reasons we have kids is so they can play with each other and relate to each other. I find it very irritating that I have to tell my older three to play with the two year old. He's always hassling me to play with him and, it may sound harsh, but I don't want to do duplo any more. I've had it with duplo.

robinredbreast · 08/01/2008 21:40

its really ccol play moulding sand
my dn had some for xmas and he loves it
you can build castles with turrets and allsorts

Dottydot · 08/01/2008 21:51

Ds's (6 and 3) favourite thing at the moment is sitting round a table saying "what do you prefer... and then a choice of two things - can be food, films, TV programmes, people(!), etc." They love it and we can do it for ages.

They're just getting into Charades as well, which is fun. Eye spy's also OK but can get a bit wearing

But all the above can be done anywhere and sitting down!

They love 'ships', which is where I'm on all fours and they're on my back. Slightly less relaxing for me but I only have to play it for 10 minutes or so and they're happy!

Hide and seek is also good if you've got any energy - they tend to look for me together as I completely freak them out by appearing from the bath or hall cupboard!

Ds1 loves making models of things, which usually involves me actually making the models and him watching This can only happen when ds2's otherwise occupied though.

My favourite (v.lazy...) thing though is bringing the duvets downstairs and watching a DVD with them in the dark with snacks - we pretend we're at the pictures. Then after the film they're quite happy to play on/under the duvets for ages.

robinredbreast · 08/01/2008 21:54

also nice glasses what about swiming?

Dottydot · 08/01/2008 21:59

Swimming's so... energetic. It involves all that getting there, getting them changed, getting them back.

But takes up a lot of time and makes them knackered!

Spidermama · 08/01/2008 22:09

Sometimes I just sit with them and then I find they work out the entertainment and what they want me to do.

You can't be expected to be the creative energy behind the play but if you want to get involved, sit on the floor with them and wait to see what happens.

charliecat · 08/01/2008 22:16

The only thing I enjoy with my two is going out for brisk walk with them on skates/ scooters/bikes. We chatter, randomly. No pressure to please. Very nice. I drag them out often

robinredbreast · 08/01/2008 22:19

dot id like to come round yours sounds fun

like th idea of have a cinema night im gonna do that with dd when shes older

loads of great ideas on this thread

MorocconOil · 08/01/2008 22:26

My DC are the same ages as yours, and I find it hard to do things with them all at the same time. We made jam tarts the other day which worked well. Also did some papier mache masks with them although the youngest made it quite difficult. Once I relax and just accept we are going to make lots of mess we have a good time.

Cremolasnowdome · 08/01/2008 22:27

dh started 'counting competitions withdd when she was 5.
they satrted with counting reindeers at xmas-light up decorations etc
then yellow cars
then skips
then postboxes
and so on first to 50 gets a curly wurly type thing
dd is now 12 and they have to get to 150 reindeersand the prize is
bigger
veery competitive now!

theme nights still populaer here too. next one is a Japan night with her friends who all are inot Manga. dh is going to do origami and i am going to help them make sushi- get us!should be laugh...

Original poster
niceglasses · 09/01/2008 07:40

Swimming is good yes - makes them tired and they will eat cardboard they are so hungry.BUT what is the situation taking 3 to a public pool? I've got confused witht he rules. I thought you needed one to one attention on any under 5? I know I got turned away once.......... I should just ring them I know.

Thanks for all this folks, more pls. Makes me feel very guilty you active lot. Going to try for one thing a day, even if just 10 mins as Dotty said.

OP posts:
tigermoth · 09/01/2008 08:09

niceglasses, AFAIK, and you can only be in charge of two children under 8, but check with your local pool.

However as your oldest is 7 years you could decide to risk it. Up to you - if you feel ok about keeping them safe, the pool is shallow and the 7 year old could pass as an 8 year old. IME, (and I go swimming a lot) attendents would not ask the actual ages of your children (and certainly not ask to see birth certificates!) as long as they behave reasonbly well and seem safe. However it might negate any insurance claims.