HAVING FUN WITH YOUR CHILDREN

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