Parent Resources

Activities Kids and
Parents Love

by Melissa Sandness for MSN Family and Parenting

It goes without saying: Playing with your child holds its own intrinsic joy, regardless of the activity. But it's also understandable that after 20 rounds of patty-cake, you're ready to call it quits. Instead of ending the play session, switch to a different kind of play, one that's as fun for you as for your child. Your child is clearly too young to be a worthy opponent at gin rummy or other adult-friendly games, but there are plenty of activities that can get your smile as big as his. Here are some suggestions:

1. Earth and Moon
Arm yourselves with a flashlight and a laser pointer (warn your child never to aim the laser pointer directly in anyone's eye; it can damage the retina), and lie face up on the bed in a dark room. Make the Earth, or the flashlight beam, move in large circles around the ceiling. Your child's job is to keep the moon (the laser pointer) orbiting the Earth. Start by moving the Earth slowly, speeding it up as the game continues, to challenge your child to continue his moon's orbit.

2. Collect the fun…
...in a "scrap box." On your favorite daily outings -- a walk around the neighborhood, a stroll along the beach -- gather things to help both of you remember why you like a particular locale or stroll. Once you're home, help your child decorate a shoebox with construction paper, crayons, glitter, or anything else that makes it unique. Keep both of your collections inside.

3. For the Birds
Bright colors, delicate movements, the ability to defy gravity -- it's no wonder that birds fascinate kids and adults alike. Here are easy instructions for making a bird feeder with your child to attract the fanciful creatures to your backyard:

• Rinse and dry an empty, plastic milk jug.
• Cut out the side opposite the handle.
• Leave the cap on and tie a string or wire around the neck of the container. Fill the inside with birdseed and hang it outside your window.

4. Sand Cities
Think you need a beach to make a sand castle? Not necessarily. Grab the buckets and toys and go to a local park that offers sand.

5. Food Art
Tired of drawing with crayons and building with blocks? Get creative and turn nature's bounty into a work of art. Cut up carrots, tomatoes, celery, or other fruits and vegetables, and help your child arrange the food into pictures on a large plate. Then eat your masterpiece!

6. Bubble Magic
Bubbles are a blast whether you're 3 or 30. Make your own bubble solution by mixing one part dishwashing detergent with ten parts water, and a little glycerin or corn syrup to make the bubbles hold. Your child can use almost any open-ended object to make bubbles.

7. Living Room Campouts
Campouts are always fun, but the living-room variety has the added benefit of being temperature controlled and replete with carpet, cushions, and the all-important access to the kitchen and bathroom. Pitch a small pup tent, or make your own. Then pull out the sleeping bags, pillows, flashlights, and s'mores for a real camping experience. The "tent" can stay up for as long as you want, making it easy for you and your child to go camping anytime.

8. Cloud Watching
Head out to the yard for a bit of cloud watching. Grab a blanket, lie on your back, and watch as the clouds float above, morphing into all kinds of interesting shapes. Be sure to get your child talking about what he's noticing, and compare notes.

9. Shake, Rattle, and Roll
It's a no-brainer: Turn on the music and move! Dance around the living room! It's one activity that's guaranteed to get you both laughing.

10. Tell a story with a soundtrack.
Kids love to hear you make up stories, and you can get your inspiration from your own record or CD collection (and increase your child's appreciation of music to boot). Start out simple with a recognizable, no-lyrics tune and storyline, like Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf." You don't have to tell the story exactly as you remember it -- embellish a little bit, replacing the main character with your child or introducing a new character your child will be fascinated by, like a dinosaur. Ask your youngster if he'd like to add anything to the story. You'll be amazed at how the music helps you both move the plot line along: Beating drums sound like someone trotting through the forest; a flute is a little bird in the sky, telling the animals which direction to go; a violin means the sun is setting. Before long, you'll hit upon some favorites that both you and your child will enjoy recounting.

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