Family time is important, but at the end of a long day, it can be a challenge for parents to come up with creative ways to spend time with their kids when all you really want to do is veg in front of the television. Having a few fun, easy-to-pull-off ideas for family evening activities for young children can help you make the most of family time, even on nights when you're all dragging.
Family Art Night
Making art together is a good way to unwind after a long day, and your child will reap the benefits of learning how to express herself creatively. On nights when you're wiped out, cover your kitchen table with craft paper and set out crayons and markers for a free-for-all drawing session. If you have a little more energy, experiment with other media, such as paints, pastels, clay or collage.
A Little Yoga
Even very young children enjoy the slow, careful movements of yoga exercises, and doing yoga together is a good way to help your child build balance and flexibility. A little yoga time can also help busy parents shake off the stress of the day and enjoy family time a little more. If you're new to yoga, check out a book or video from the library to learn a few simple poses.
Dance Party
Put together a mix of songs that make you want to dance and have an impromptu living room disco. Boogeying away his excess energy will make your child's bedtime go more smoothly, and your whole family can enjoy the health benefits of vigorous exercise that a dance session provides. Listening to music--even if it's Bon Jovi instead of Beethoven--helps your child learn about rhythm and movement and may improve his ability to reason abstractly.
Walking It Off
If the weather cooperates, a family walk can be a fun bonding experience at the end of the day. Use your stroll to help your child build basic skills by asking her to look for something blue on your walk or counting how many rocking chairs or dogs you see. Making exercise part of your family's routine also helps reduce your child's risk for obesity and the host of serious health problems that come with it.
References
- "The Creative Family: How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections"; Amanda Blake Soule; 2008
- "Unplug Your Kids: A Parent's Guide to Raising Happy, Active and Well-Adjusted Children in the Digital Age"; David Dutwin; 2009
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