LCO Child Support | July 29, 2019
Tags:  Resources | LCO Child Support Program

Top 5 Activities To Do With Your Children At Home

As our children grow up, we want to pack in as much fun with them as possible. Yet our faced paced modern lifestyle can make squeezing in time a difficult task. Between work, school and other extracurricular activities there often aren’t enough hours in the day. Yet time spent with our children is one of the greatest gifts we can give them. Summer especially offers a unique opportunity to get in quality time between school years. 

But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan ahead. When you get your next moment with your kids, you’ll want to have some ideas ready to go for building memories that will last a lifetime. 

In this guide, we’ll explore a few simple suggestions on activities you can do with your children.

The Importance of Spending Time and Participating in Activities with your Children

  • Builds a child’s self-esteem
  • Strengthens family bonds
  • Develops positive habits and behaviors
  • Encourages communication 
  • Can aid in improving academic performance
  • And more

Fun and Simple Activities to Try This Summer 

1) Perform a Science Experiment

Before you get too nervous about this one, you do not have to go all out. There are many simple experiments you can perform around the house, such as:

  • Create a weather station using a compass, windsock, and weather journal
  • Make a submarine out of an old soda bottle
  • Build an ant farm
  • Grow sugar crystals
  • Make slime

Experiments can simply be about exploring your environment. Have a kid that is curious about how ice works? Melt an ice cube and talk about solids, liquids, and gases.

2) Grow a Garden

Growing a garden is both fun and practical. Not only do you teach your kids about how growing food works and how to feed themselves, but you also spend quality time together cultivating meals you can share. 

Some crops you can grow include:

  • Tomatoes
  • Cucumbers
  • Green peppers
  • Berries

Fences and planting marigolds around the edge of your garden will help keep wildlife from helping themselves to your crops!

To learn more about the LCO Community Garden, click the Resources tab for Children to find the information on the LCO Community Garden. 

3) Seasonal Household Project

Including children in seasonal household projects can be a fun way to get some housework completed, as well as creating a bonding experience.  These projects can be both, fun, productive and help build a sense of ownership. These projects can include:

  • Painting a bedroom or putting up wallpaper 
  • Cleaning out the garage or storage space
  • Creating a small play area complete with swings, sandbox, and outdoor furniture

4) Make Relaxation Jars

This activity is sensory fun for the entire family! Relaxation jars not only help calm down anxiety, but your children will be filled with the memories of making these jars.

  1. Fill the mason jar halfway with warm water.
  2. Add the glitter glue.
  3. Fill the remainder of the jar with more warm water.
  4. Hot glue the lid on for a good seal and enjoy shaking the jars!

5) Have a Three Marker Challenge

Not all projects have to be awe-inspiring. Challenge your kids, and yourself, to pick three markers with your eyes closed and see what kind of picture you can create from it! This simple activity can provide hours of laughs and entertainment.

Other Tips

  • Schedule a “daily connect” time with each child
  • Establish a “special” ritual daily. Something simple your child can choose; like what book to read with you at night.
  • Make it a habit to express your affection and love daily by communicating that to them
  • Make it a point to eat meals together
  • Spend time playing with your child, from toys, to sports and the playground
  • Turn off technology when you spend time with your children to reduce distractions

Your Children Appreciate Your Presence

Whether your children are two years old or twelve, your kids love having you around. They may not act like it sometimes, but they will cherish the memories you form with them. Make time to have some fun activities with your kids, and before you know it, they will be passing these activities down to their own kids.
---
LCO Child Support Program
13394 W Trepania Road
Hayward WI 54843
www.lcochildsupport.com ​

More Articles

How to Apply for LCO Child Support Services
The LCO Child Support Program Launches New Website
The New LCO Child Support Portal Coming Soon!