HAVING FUN WITH YOUR CHILDREN
Updated: Apr 26, 2021
Some suggestions of easy and fun ways to build connection

BABIES
Cuddling, tickling
Peek a boo
Raspberry blowing
Gentle rough and tumble
Massage
Playing
Quality time (focusing on them)
Singing and music
Encouraging praise
Bath time
Gentle tone of voice and body language
Funny faces, chasing
Comforting them when upset
Attend to their needs quickly
Socialising with other babies
Dancing
Bubbles
Making routine things fun eg mealtimes, nappy changing, hand washing,
TODDLERS AND PRESCHOOLERS
Reading books
Singing, action songs, dancing
Playing with playdough, pasta, rice
Making musical instruments
Cooking
Going to the park,
Riding bikes
Splashing in puddles
Letting them get dirty
Playing football
Feeding the ducks
Watching squirrels, birds
Ride on bus/tram/train (under 5’s go free)
Library storytime/activities
Listening to your child
Including them with New Baby
Pretend play, making tents, dens
Playing in the garden
Water play, bathing dollies
Playing with the leaves in autumn
Blowing bubbles
Watering plants
Building train tracks
Lego towers
Drawing
Swimming
Trips to the farm
Puzzles
Walk in the woods (remembering they only have little legs)
Getting down to their level to talk and listen to them.
Painting, cutting, sticking (but only if you don’t mind the mess)
Letting them help with jobs (dusting, washing up)
5-12 YEARS
Swimming
Adventure Playgrounds
Reading
Singing
Involving them in what you are doing
Making picnics (indoor and out)
Lego models
Painting/junk models
Playing games - Hide and Seek, Hunt the Thimble, What’s the time Mr Wolf
Looking at photos/ making scrapbooks
Cooking – making pizza, special tea, cakes
Going to the park
Collecting things
Bike rides
Kite flying
Playing football, rounders, tennis
Watching their sports/hobbies
Playing computer games with them
Playing on the Trampoline with them
Making dens
Making Go Karts
Cleaning the car together
Raking leaves
Water fights/ water pistols
Sitting in the garden together
Making nature trails
Treasure Hunts
Day at the sea Board games, Ball games, Jacks
Football, Rugby, Cricket
Skipping rhymes
Cats cradle
Clapping Rhymes (pat-a-cake type)
Origami
Platting hair, painting nails
YoYo’s, Juggling, playing cards
Putting on shows
Them choosing dinner and helping to cook it
No TV night – set night of the week when there is no TV and you do something else instead.
Digging garden or allotment and growing plants/vegetables/strawberries/sunflowers
Watching Video’s together, making popcorn, darkening room to be like cinema
Making meal times like a restaurant – Menus, place settings, you or them being the waiter etc