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Your kids are growing up — They’re in Kindergarten now! It’s an exciting time as they develop and learn new skills at school. When it comes to after-school time, what amuses them is constantly changing, so you may need new ideas to keep them happy. For parents who want inspiration, here are seven activities to keep them smiling, learning, and having fun.
1. Draw a Life-Size Self-Portrait
Get out a big roll of paper and crayons. Have them ready for when your child gets home! Ask them to lay down on the paper while you outline their shape. After that’s done, get them to draw in their features, clothes, and shoes. Have a mirror nearby for them to make it easier.
2. Make a Tent Indoors
This activity is one that has long been a favorite with young children. Create a tent from blankets and sheets with your little one in the living room. Toss a few pillows inside with a blanket to make it cozy for them to hang out inside. Pretend they’re camping without you having to go through the stress of planning the trip away.
3. Chalk It Up Outside
On a warm afternoon, get out the chalks and introduce them to drawing on the driveaway. It’s a classic activity that never gets tiring. The child may develop a love of art through this time outside. Creating art could be their new favorite hobby! As for what they draw, it’s up to them, although you can suggest ideas if needed, such as a sun or a house.
4. Dress-Up Time
Come up with a theme, such as princess or pirate, and then put together a fun outfit with your young child that fits this concept, based on what is in their closet and items around the house that you make together, such as a cardboard wand. Maybe you’ll even dress up with them! Then, once in costume, encourage them to use their imaginations to play the day in the life of the person they’re pretending to be.
5. Fairy Tale Telling
Start the first line of a fairy tale and ask them to tell you the next line. Go back and forth line by line as you go through the story you two create in real-time. Who knows where it will take you or what the ending will be? That’s the fun of it! Act out the story as you both tell it, and there will surely be giggles along the way, from both of you.
6. Create a Park Scavenger Hunt
Head to the local park together on a sunny day. Next, hide a few things for the little one to find fairly easily based on the clues you tell them. Of course, do not hide the toys too far away, as you want to make sure your eyes are on them the whole time. There are printable scavenger hunt kids available online if you need some help or want to create a more complex game. If there’s no park close, try doing this one in your backyard to entertain the little one for an hour or two after school.
7. Read a Book Aloud Together
Grab their latest favorite book and read it together. Create different voices for the different characters as a way to get your little one laughing. Encourage them to read the kindergarten words that they know while you read the ones they haven’t learned yet. Soon your child will learn more sight words and be able to read this book without your help!
Conclusion: Keeping Kids Busy After School
They have lots of energy, so finding ways to amuse them after Kindergarten ends can be challenging. Thankfully, these ideas often excite young minds so they can be all smiles and not bored.
Some of the ideas suggested are at home, while others are outside. You may also go to a museum, a playground, a local fair, or another outing to create memories that give them opportunities to learn and have fun. Which items on the above list they like the most will depend on the child, of course, as each one has different interests.
The time together is special too. Make the most of the bond you’re building as a parent with them while doing some or all of the above-mentioned activities. What you choose to do is up to you, or perhaps your little one comes up with a new idea, and you help put it into motion. Have fun and enjoy the family time!
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