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Activities for Kids
by Sarah Delaporte
Children constantly see games and toys on TV. The advertisers convince
them that these are the items that they need to be happy. Parents and
caretakers often feel that in order to make the kids happy they must buy
these toys for them. But then after the toys are bought; the toys are
thrown into dusty corners and ignored. The best thing a parent can give
to their children is not toys, but rather quality time with their
children. The good news is that there are ways to spend quality time
with your children that don't include spending a lot of money or
accumulating junk. Here is a list of great activities you can do with
your children without reaching for your pocket book, because memories
last stuff doesn't:
1. Play ball outside.
2. Go to the Park and let your child play on the playground equipment.
3. Have a picnic. Let your child help pack your picnic basket. Bring
along a Frisbee or a ball to play with. You could even play hide n' go
seek with your child. You don't even have to leave your own backyard.
4. Read a novel to them slightly above their age level. This helps them
build a bigger vocabulary and encourages them to love reading.
5. Teach your children how to window-shop. Let them pick their favorite
place to shop and go there just to look. Encourage them to think about
what they want in the future (on their birthday or at Christmas).
6. Bring them to a free zoo nearby. Read to them about the different
animals.
7. Play "Movie Theatre" at home. Have your children help you make
popcorn, tickets & fake money. Let them "buy" their own popcorn & pop
from the theatre personnel (you) & purchase their ticket to see the
movie from you. Watch a favorite home video you already own! This
creates great fun & wonderful memories.
8. Set up a pretend restaurant. Serve your own homemade happy meals with
a cookie or a toy. You can serve anything you want inside the happy
meal, but try to give them at least two choices for their meal. Your
child could help make the menu!
9. Check out a small town nearby. Many family friendly small towns will
have inexpensive entertainment. The small town we live in offers a
public pool for only 25 cents admission, has great parks with lots of
trees and wildlife, has a dollar store, many nice shopping places, an
ice cream shop with inexpensive ice cream (50 cents for a child size ice
cream cone and $1 for an adult size), parades and many other forms of
wholesome entertainment.
10. Make up a story with your child. Take turns making up the story.
Entertainment never has been expensive. Many large corporations would
like us to think that entertainment is expensive & they condition us to
think this, but in actuality kids want parents that care about them.
Many children are no longer learning how to use their imagination
because the media does it for them. The video games have replaced
pretending. These ideas will spark creativity in your child!
About the author
Sarah Delaporte is the owner of Freebie Coupon Corner. She loves helping
consumers save money on their groceries with her helpful e-book
publications. For more information about Freebie Coupon Corner, you can
visit the website at:
http://www.couponcorner.net
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