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8 Games That Are Perfect for Grandparents to Play With Grandkids

March 22, 2025 | Leave a Comment

games
Image Source: 123rf.com

This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase anything through these affiliated links, the author/website may earn a commission.

When grandparents spend quality time with their grandkids, lasting memories and deep connections are formed. One of the most enjoyable ways to build these bonds is by playing fun, engaging games together. However, not all games are equally suitable for every generation. Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing games that bridge the age gap perfectly, creating joyful experiences for both grandparents and grandchildren. Here are eight fantastic games grandparents will love playing with their grandkids, sparking laughter and unforgettable moments together.

1. Classic Board Games

Board games never go out of style and remain great options for multi-generational entertainment. Games like Candy Land, Chutes and Ladders, or Monopoly Junior offer straightforward rules perfect for younger kids and nostalgic appeal for grandparents. Playing board games encourages strategic thinking, patience, and good sportsmanship, valuable lessons that grandparents naturally teach. The slower pace allows for easy conversation, storytelling, and laughter throughout the game. Keep it fun by incorporating gentle humor and friendly competition. These timeless classics guarantee relaxed bonding time filled with smiles and shared memories.

2. Memory Match Games

Memory games are ideal for both young children and grandparents, exercising cognitive skills beneficial to all ages. Games like Memory or Picture Matching Cards are simple to learn, quick to play, and incredibly fun for everyone involved. These activities stimulate memory, concentration, and critical-thinking skills while also being accessible to players with varying abilities. Grandparents and grandkids can collaborate or compete playfully, enjoying mutual encouragement and laughter.

3. Charades for Kids

Charades is the perfect game for lively interactions, offering endless fun and creativity for grandparents and grandkids alike. Easy-to-understand rules allow all ages to participate comfortably, with younger players acting out animals, objects, or favorite characters. Grandparents can easily join the fun, showing off their acting skills and sense of humor. This active game encourages physical movement, imagination, and teamwork among all players. Even shy children or reserved grandparents often find themselves laughing uncontrollably by the end. Charades helps break the ice, creating comfortable, joyful memories that transcend generational gaps.

4. Outdoor Scavenger Hunts

Outdoor scavenger hunts combine fresh air, physical activity, and collaborative problem-solving, making them perfect for grandparents and grandkids. Create simple, age-appropriate lists featuring items like leaves, rocks, flowers, or specific colors, encouraging exploration and observation. Grandparents can guide and support younger grandchildren while also participating actively. These games encourage exploration, curiosity, and teamwork, creating memorable outdoor adventures together. Scavenger hunts offer delightful ways to bond while enjoying nature.

5. Bingo with a Twist

Bingo remains a classic game loved by generations, ideal for grandparents and grandkids to play together effortlessly. Customize your bingo cards with family memories, photos, or familiar objects. Younger children can quickly learn and enjoy playing, while grandparents appreciate bingo’s familiarity and simplicity. Using colorful markers or small treats as rewards enhances the fun factor significantly. Bingo sessions naturally encourage conversation, storytelling, and laughter among family members. Playing bingo creates lasting family traditions, building connections through simple shared joys.

6. Puzzle Adventures

Jigsaw puzzles are relaxing, cooperative, and ideal for leisurely bonding between grandparents and grandkids. Choose puzzles with themes appealing to both generations—animals, landmarks, cartoons, or family photographs—to spark interest and conversation. Puzzle-solving encourages patience, collaboration, and critical thinking in a stress-free environment. Grandparents and grandchildren can casually chat, share stories, and bond over the shared accomplishment.

7. Storytelling and Improv Games

Interactive storytelling and improv games nurture creativity, imagination, and verbal expression, delighting both grandparents and grandchildren. Games like “Story Cubes,” where dice inspire spontaneous storytelling, or “Once Upon a Time,” encourage imaginative play and creativity. Grandparents can share their own creative insights, wisdom, and humor while guiding and encouraging younger players. These games foster emotional connection, build language skills, and inspire laughter-filled storytelling sessions.

8. Card Games for All Ages

Card games remain all-time favorites, offering versatility, simplicity, and inclusive entertainment across generations. Classic games like Go Fish, Old Maid, Crazy Eights, or Uno are easy to teach and fun to play, providing engaging competition without complicated rules. Grandparents can comfortably participate without feeling overwhelmed, while kids enjoy friendly competition and learning new skills. Playing cards promote strategic thinking, memory, and communication in an enjoyable, relaxed atmosphere. Keep games playful and cheerful, embracing friendly teasing and enthusiastic celebration. Card games provide simple pleasures, building bridges between grandparents and grandchildren through casual fun.

Playing Together, Staying Together

The bond between grandparents and grandchildren is uniquely special, strengthened significantly by shared playful experiences. These eight games offer fantastic opportunities to laugh, learn, and create cherished memories together. Whether enjoying classic board games, lively charades, outdoor adventures, or creative storytelling, the joy and connection experienced are invaluable. Prioritizing quality time spent playing together reinforces emotional bonds, enriches family relationships, and creates unforgettable moments. Remember, the most meaningful memories often emerge from the simplest joys shared between generations. Keep playing, laughing, and growing closer together, one game at a time.

Read More

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  • Keep Board Games Alive! Play These With Your Kids
Latrice Perez

Latrice is a dedicated professional with a rich background in social work, complemented by an Associate Degree in the field. Her journey has been uniquely shaped by the rewarding experience of being a stay-at-home mom to her two children, aged 13 and 5. This role has not only been a testament to her commitment to family but has also provided her with invaluable life lessons and insights.
As a mother, Latrice has embraced the opportunity to educate her children on essential life skills, with a special focus on financial literacy, the nuances of life, and the importance of inner peace.

Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: Games, grandkids, grandparents

Pop the Pig Game: A Review

January 12, 2024 | Leave a Comment

Pop the Pig Game
Image Source: Amazon

My kids, ages 8 and 5, had seen the ad for Pop the Pig by Goliath at least a half dozen times before Christmas. Thinking that it would be an entertaining family game for the four of us, I picked it up at Amazon for less than $20. There were several options, but I chose the upgraded version, which Goliath claims is new and improved. The kids were excited to play it, especially after they saw the adorable mini hamburger pawns. I consulted the directions to make sure we were setting things up correctly and we began a game. Here are our honest thoughts.

How Pop the Pig Works

Here’s how the game is supposed to work. During their turn, players roll the die and pick a burger that corresponds with the color shown. There are four colors (red, green, yellow, and purple) on the die, plus a wild option that lets players choose any color burger they want. Next, you flip over your selected burger to reveal the number on the bottom, which ranges from one to four. Finally, you press down on the pig’s chef hat the number of times indicated on the burger.

The pig’s stomach (which has a balloon-type device underneath it) is supposed to get bigger and bigger with each press of his hat. After about 30 presses, he finally “pops,” causing his belt to open. My kids thought this concept was hysterical and could not wait to see the pig “pop.” 

Pros of Pop the Pig 

My kids really enjoyed this game and said they’d love to play again, so that’s a big win in my book. Finding games that are entertaining enough to keep both of them engaged can be a challenge, so I’m happy they’re in agreement about Pop the Pig. 

In the previous version of the game, you couldn’t really notice the pig’s stomach swelling, which disappointed some reviewers. We’re glad that Goliath fixed the problem with this edition. We were able to see the pig’s tummy visibly grow after each turn. This feature helped build the anticipation and made the “pop” at the end even more exciting.

My kids wanted to play again right away, and luckily the game is easy to reset. All you have to do is press on the chef’s hat once to flatten the pig’s belly and clip his belt back together. All of the game’s parts, including the die and burgers, fit inside the pig for easy storage. 

I also appreciate the educational aspects of Pop the Pig. It’s a great tool for teaching kids about colors and numbers. Pushing down on the chef’s hat can help children improve their dexterity and build fine motor skills. Even if your kids are a bit rough with the pig, it feels durable and sturdy enough to withstand many games. Just make sure to keep an eye on the mini burger pieces, because they’re easy for kids to drop and lose.

Last but not least, I love that Pop the Pig comes with a bonus card game called Greedy Granny. It’s an Old Maid style matching game with a cute cookie theme. Even without this extra content, Pop the Pig would still be a great value at under $20.

Things to Consider Before Buying Pop the Pig

Pop the Pig is tons of fun
Image Source: Amazon

Although my family loves Pop the Pig, there are a few things you should be aware of before you buy it. My five-year-old found it difficult to push down the chef’s hat and had to use both hands to do it. I can’t imagine a child much younger than him having the hand strength to pull off this maneuver. So if your kids are still toddlers, it may be better to wait and buy the game when they’re a little older. Goliath states that Pop the Pig is suitable for 2-6 players who are 4 or older, which I agree with after trying it out.

Another thing I noticed during our test is that the pig seems to pop after roughly 30 presses. The mechanism is apparently designed to pop once it reaches a certain level of inflation. Although the pressure of each press can lead to slight variations in the popping point, you’ll definitely notice a pattern after a few games. My kids didn’t seem to mind, but I wish there was more randomness to create a bigger surprise factor. However, I do appreciate that the inflation mechanism is entirely manual, so it doesn’t require batteries. 

What Others Are Saying

Should you buy Pop the Pig?
Image Source: Amazon

According to Goliath, Pop the Pig is a top-selling game for preschoolers. The reviews on Amazon reflect the game’s widespread popularity. Over 800 happy customers gave Pop the Pig an average rating of 4.7 starts out of 5. Most of the comments proclaimed that it was fun, exciting, and perfect for toddlers. One person even noted that “they can’t stop popping with the kids.” They went on to say the game was not only bursting with excitement for little ones, but also nostalgic for the adults. 

The bottom line? This game is new, improved, and fun for the whole family. The concept is charming, and customers agree that Pop the Pig delivers tons of “pops” and laughs!

Have you played this game? What was your family’s experience?

Read More

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  • Free Games to Teach Kids About Coding
Shay Huntley

Shatel Huntley has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University. In her spare time, she works with special needs adults and travels the world. Her interests include traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations, shopping, couponing, and saving.

Filed Under: Product Reviews for Parents, Toys and Games Tagged With: Games, Pop the Pig, Pop the Pig Review

Free Games to Teach Kids About Coding

December 9, 2021 | Leave a Comment

Free Games to Teach Kids about Coding

My 11-year-old wanted to take a coding class this year. We signed up for one with a virtual school in our state. I have a long dislike of computer science, so I was happy to outsource this subject from our homeschool. To my surprise, she LOVED coding and is taking the second installment of the class next semester. However, she wants to do even more, so I searched for free games to teach kids about coding. Because coding is popular, there is no shortage of games available.

Scratch

My daughter’s teacher had the students spend some time on Scratch, a free coding community. Since then, she has spent several hours a week immersed in the Scratch world. Students can create games and animations and share them with others in the community.

This site is for kids ages 8 to 16 and is free.

Blocky Games

Blocky Games offers several games that teach programming. If your child has trouble with internet access, you can download the material, so he can work offline. Like Scratch, this site is for ages 8 to 16 and is perfect for beginners. It is also free.

Tynker

Tynker offers 20 games for free, which will give you and your kids a chance to try out this site. This site has a broad appeal for ages 5 to 18.

If you decide you like this site enough to pay, you can access all levels and 65 courses for around $10 a month. This popular site is used by more than 50,000 schools and 32 million students!

Code Combat

Your child can play in Code Combat for free with a class code from his teacher, or he can play as an individual. This game has several levels; you have to be proficient in one level before moving on to the next one. The first level, Kithgard Dungeon, teaches syntax, methods, parameters, strings, loops, and variables.

Code Combat is for ages 9 to 16. Kids can play alone or with others. Like Tynker, this is a popular site. It is used in 190 countries with 20 million kids!

Code Monster

This intuitive program helps teach your child Javascript. Perfect for ages 8 to 12, simply click on the monster to get instructions. The monster teaches your child coding through a variety of actions such as increasing the numbers in a code to see what happens next.

A nice feature of Code Monster is that you only need internet connection to load the website. After that, you can use it completely offline.

Final Thoughts

If your child wants to learn more about coding, encourage her! Then, help her get started with some of these free games to teach kids about coding. She may find a fun hobby, or she may have a passion that develops into a career like web design, computer programmer, or computer systems engineer. The demand for these jobs is expected to increase in the future, which makes coding an excellent skill to learn.

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Melissa Batai
Melissa Batai

Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty of the area.

Filed Under: Money and Finances Tagged With: coding, computer science, free, free games, Games

Games that Teach Kids About Money

June 11, 2020 | Leave a Comment

Let’s be honest.  Hoping children learn via parent lecture is unlikely and boring.  Kids don’t listen, and parents get frustrated.  But there is a fun way to teach kids about things that doesn’t feel like learning—playing games.  If you want to teach your kids how to behave responsibly financially, don’t lecture.  Instead, play games that teach kids about money.

Games that teach kids about money

Classic Board Games That Teach Kids About Money

My favorite place to start when using games to teach about money are the classic games.  You know, the ones we grew up playing.

Monopoly

Games that Teach Kids about Money

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

This classic game teaches your kid the value of location, location, location when buying land.  It also teaches kids about the importance of having rental income.  And of course, your kids learn about property taxes, stocks, and income.

The only drawback to this game (and some don’t see it as a drawback) is that it can take a long time to play, upwards of an hour or longer.

Life

In The Game of Life, kids choose whether to go to college or go right to work.  They also learn about the importance of insurance and avoiding loans.  The stock market also plays a role in the game.

One thing I find confusing is that the more kids you have, the more money you seem to make.  I haven’t found that to be true in real life!

Pay Day

In Pay Day, the board is set up like a calendar month.  Players can choose to buy deals such as a pizza joint for $800.  Then, later in the game, they can choose to sell it and make $12,000.  Players also get bills in the mail and have to pay them.  Throughout the game, players can borrow money from the bank or other players, but they need to agree on the terms.

This is a great game for teaching kids about investing and borrowing.  Parents may like it because you can choose how many months to play.  The more months you play, the longer the game goes.

Newer Board Games That Teach Kids about Money

Beyond the classic games mentioned above, there are several new board games that teach kids about money.

Cashflow for Kids

This game was created by Robert Kiyosaki of Rich Dad, Poor Dad.  The game is suitable for kids ages 6 and older.  The board is fairly simple.  Kids land on a green or red space or a dollar sign.  When they land on a green space, something positive happens to their financial situation.  For instance, they can choose to buy a stock and get passive income.  If they land on a red, they have to pay an expense.  The dollar sign gives them a payday, and this is also when they can get their passive income.

While the board is simple, this game is great for teaching kids about positive, long-term uses of your money and negatives uses of it.

The Allowance Game

Designed for ages 5 to 10, The Allowance Game teaches kids about earning and spending money as they travel around a board.  They might spend money for movie tickets and earn money for losing a tooth.  They can also put their money in the bank and earn interest.

The money that is used resembles real United States money, so it’s easy for young kids to learn how to differentiate the different bills and coins, too.

Act Your Wage Game

Followers of Dave Ramsey will love the Act Your Wage Game, especially if you’d like to easily teach your children Ramsey’s Baby Steps.  When you play the game, you’re given a life situation—how much you make per year and if you’re married or not as well as basic bills such as food and utilities.  You also draw debt cards.

You follow Ramsey’s Baby Steps to get yourself out of debt and in a financially secure position.  Along the way, you’ll fill envelopes so you can spend cash rather than using credit.

Online Games

You can also find games that teach kids about money by going online.

Rich Kid Smart Kid

The Rich Kid Smart Kid site  (from the makers of the board game Cashflow for Kids) has several mini-games including:

  • Jesse’s Ice Cream Stand
  • Reno’s Debt Dilemma
  • Ima’s Pay Yourself 1st
  • Jesse’s Big Change

These microgames teach kids entrepreneurship, debt management, and how to start an emergency fund.

Peter Pig’s Money Counter

Peter Pig’s Money Counter is ideal for 5 to 8-year olds who are learning to add and subtract money.  Kids need to put the money in different jars, and then they can buy things such as clothes for the pig.  By doing the various activities, kids learn how to add and subtract money.

Financial Football

Financial Football taps into some kids’ love of the NFL to help teach them about finances.  The game has three different levels:

  • Rookie (ages 11-14)
  • Pro (ages 14-18)
  • Hall of Fame (ages 18+)

To go down the football field, players must answer financial questions.  This game was created by VISA in conjunction with Drew Brees, who created several of the questions in the game.

If you homeschool, you can dig even deeper with this game, as there are also lesson plans and pre and post-tests available.

The Playoff

The Playoff is designed for kids ages 14+.  In this immersive game, you choose between two vloggers, Alex and Jess.  You manage their finances and deal with unexpected events like getting robbed all while trying to develop a video in just three days.  Whoever ends the game with the most money wins.

Just like Financial Football, this game has lesson plans, so it could be used in schools or if you homeschool.

Final Thoughts

Teaching your kids about money is challenging.  Sure, they’ll watch how you handle your money, but they may need more instruction for how to handle their money wisely.  Luckily, there are many games that teach kids about money.  Your kids can learn and face natural consequences through the game before they do so in real life. Then, when they’re teens and young adults, they hopefully will know how to manage money responsibly.

 

Melissa Batai
Melissa Batai

Melissa is a writer and virtual assistant. She earned her Master’s from Southern Illinois University, and her Bachelor’s in English from the University of Michigan. When she’s not working, you can find her homeschooling her kids, reading a good book, or cooking. She resides in Arizona where she dislikes the summer heat but loves the natural beauty of the area.

Filed Under: Money and Finances Tagged With: educational games, financial literacy, Games, games that teach about money, money management, teaching money management

8 Fun Fall Activities for the Family

October 17, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Fun fall activities for the family include jumping in the leaves

Copyright Albert Bridge and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons License

Do you love the fall? Can’t get enough of changing leaves, warm sweaters and the smell of soups and baked goods coming from the kitchen? Me neither! I adore autumn. So, if you’re like me, you’ll want to seize the season before it goes by as fast as summer seemed to. The fall is a wonderful time to get in some good old fashion family bonding time!

8 Fun Fall Activities for the Family

Not sure what to do? Ahhhhhh, well then my dear you’re in luck you have come to the right place! Here is a list of some fun fall activities that I’m sure the whole family will enjoy.

1. Visit a pumpkin patch.

Sure you can get pumpkins at your local grocery store and that’s all fine and dandy but there is something really special and fun about visiting a farm and picking your own pumpkins. After all, it is one of the popular things to do in Downingtown PA and a plethora of other areas during the fall. There are usually hay rides, corn mazes, hot apple cider, animals to pet and/or ride, bags of fresh apples and a ton of opportunities for great photos. My family and I look forward to our visit to the pumpkin patch all year long! It’s one of our favorite fall activities.

2. Make some spooky Halloween or festive harvest treats.

The fall is a great time to get cooking with the kiddos. I actually have Rice Krispie Surprise Pumpkin Treats™ on the agenda for the boys and I next week. Should be fun and easy. Should be.

There are tons of yummy things you can make and kids are almost always eager to help. No matter how small or how great their role is, you can be sure they will be so proud of their creations. Check out FamilyFun.com for some easy fall recipes!

3. Go on a nature walk.

I mentioned this in a previous post and we like to do these a lot. Recently, the boys’ preschool teacher sent them home with a bag they decorated at school. Their homework was to go for a nature walk and put items they found along the way in to their bag. When they took their bag of fall treasures to school the next day, they made a place mat which will be used during their Thanksgiving Feast at school. It was a pretty simple craft and if you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I do love simple crafts!

After the nature walk it’s just 3 easy steps:

  1. The kids chose the color paper they wanted for the base.
  2. Then they emptied out their bag and selected flat items to go on the paper. They arranged them just the way they thought looked best. There were leaves, flowers, grass, pine needles, small twigs, etc.
  3. To finish off the place mat a clear piece of contact paper was laid on top and the kids pushed it down as flat as it would go and…

Voilá! A beautifully unique place mat all their own. Easy peasy!

4. Rake up a pile of leaves and jump in them.

Okay, I’m not into jumping into leaves but my boys are. You can be sure that as soon as our big tree drops her leaves, the boys will be begging me to make a pile for them to jump into and I will do so happily. My grandparents had several big trees in their yard when I was growing up and my brother and I had hours of fun making piles upon piles to jump into. I want my boys to have fun memories like that too!

5. Feed the birds (and squirrels).

It’s time to make sure your bird feeders are full because soon it will be harder for the birdies to find food. Also, you may have noticed that the squirrels are busy collecting food for the winter. They are all over our yard and driving my dog crazy!

My boys and I do another simple (but slightly messy) craft using pine cones, peanut butter and bird seed. You just coat the pine cone in peanut butter and roll it in bird seed. I usually tie a piece of yarn or string to the top and then we hang them in the trees where we can see them. I’m not sure if any birds ate from them but I do know our squirrels LOVED them. It’s a fall activity that even the animals can share in!

6. Splash in some puddles!

Just put on some old clothes and rubber boots and go for it! It’s fun…

7. Play some games.

I didn’t know that their were really any “fall games” other than football but I decided to search anyway. I didn’t have to look far because once again one of my favorite websites FamilyFun.com had just what I was looking for. Some of the outdoor games that I thought looked interesting were:

  • Gourd Games
  • Toppling Towers
  • London Calling

8. Make some s’mores.

If you have a wood burning fireplace or a fire pit in the backyard, you can still enjoy some yummy s’mores! You can even make them in your microwave but they aren’t quite the same and don’t put them in very long or the marshmallows will explode. Believe me when I say, don’t try it just take my word for it. I’m not trying to be bossy or anything but I just want to save you from having to clean up a super gooey mess.

There are really so many really fun things to do in the fall! What are some of your family’s favorites? Today our family fun activity is yard work. Not my idea of fun but once this is done we can get to the good stuff!!!

What fall family activities do you enjoy?

Brian
Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

 
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Filed Under: Family Time Tagged With: Autumn, birds, Fall, Fun Activities, Games, leaves, nature walk, puddles, Pumpkin Patch, smores, treats

3 Summertime Activities for Kids that Cost Almost Nothing

April 23, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Homemade playdoughIt’s about that time of the year again when the sun is shining the brightest and hottest and kids of all sizes and ages are taking out their swim gear, bikinis, board shorts and goggles. In a tropical country, this may be a funny thing to hear but believe it or not, it is not always summertime in the Philippines. Yes, there are basically two seasons- wet and hot, but around this time of the year (March-May) the sun shines the brightest, school is out, and the kids are raring to be out of the house.

For my kids, the significance of summer vacation has not really hit home yet. They are preschoolers so school is a wonderland of books, crafts, stories, and songs. This is not yet that tough institution created to make knowledgeable and skilled individuals. This is still that enjoyable break from the possible monotony of home, a place to see friends and to talk to older, wiser, people who have so many fun ideas they want to implement. The challenge for me at this time of the year then, is coming up with creative ways to occupy the kids that are also informative and budget-friendly.

The fact that they are not yet so into going out of town to the beach or nagging me to go take that six hour derive to the mountain province that is a popular destination during summertime is a great thing because this means I have the freedom to think up things that are not expensive. So, here are the things I’ve come up with so far.
The old-fashioned games of kids

Remember way back when, when there were no Nintendo’s or PS3’s or X-boxes or Wii’s? Yes, there was a time before Atari decided to change it all for kids forever. During these times, the TV was just a box to watch a show on; Or a movie on Betamax or VHS. Back then, kids took their trusty bike’s or roller blades, or if they didn’t have either, a rock and a piece of chalk, and could pass the time in joyful, gleeful, outdoor play.

My favorite outdoor games were hopscotch, Chinese garter, tag, and hide and seek. I really think there is a lot to be said about these games and about outdoor play in general. I really believe it strengthens the kids physically, gets them in touch with nature, and really builds more character. Plus, the great thing about this is that there are so many places to go that are free. You can take you pick of parks, football fields, picnic areas, or even the handy sidewalk right outside your house. I have so many memories of meeting friends for outdoor play and I really am thrilled that my kids can experience the same thing today. Of course, they still want their Wii but I can hold off for some time on that still.

Making clay from scratch for play inside or outside

I loved Play dough when I was a kid. Now, before anyone starts to say I am transferring what I liked to my kids and I am ignoring what THEY like, know that they do really love play dough themselves. In fact, at times when I have to take them out to stay with generous friends while I do an errand or a job, I pack a jar of play dough each and that keeps the super occupied, and super sociable with other kids as well. The thing is though, that buying jars and jars of Play dough builds up in expense. It is a good thing that there is a way to make play dough from scratch. This way, you will always have play do when you need it and the kids can get in on the fun as well as this version is a non-cook one. Here it is;

No-Cook Play Dough recipe

Ingredients
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • 7-8 drops of food coloring
  • Water
Step by Step Method
  1. Mix the flour and salt.
  2. Add oil and food coloring to water.
  3. Add water until desired consistency is reached.
  4. Mix well.

Storing the No cook Play Dough

This play dough will keep for about 1 week if kept in a sealed plastic bag or container and slightly longer if stored in the refrigerator.

“Cooked” Play dough recipe

If you want to have Play dough that lasts longer, and you don’t mind making this yourself, here is a recipe for ‘cooked’ play dough;

Ingredients
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 teaspoons Cream of Tartar
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon cooking oil
  • 7-8 drops of food coloring
Step by Step Method
  1. Mix the flour and salt.
  2. Add the cream of tartar, water, and oil.
  3. Add some food coloring.
  4. Mix well.
  5. Cook over medium heat until ingredients form a ball. This process almost automatically forms a ball of the dough on the stove and its not to hot to touch. (Does not take more than a minute on stove).
  6. Turn out and knead until smooth, about 1 minute, and let it cool.

Storing Play Dough

This play dough recipe will make play dough that will keep for at least two months if kept in a sealed plastic bag or container and longer if you store it in the refrigerator.

Play dough can be used for so many creative activities inside and outside the house. You can even think of this as combining point number one and this points. In a nutshell, the material here is supposed to be something used for learning and fun during summertime downtime.

Cook

I am so impressed by the Junior Masterchef show from Australia. The youngest contestant was 8 years old! And these kids made real good dishes! Not your simple boiled egg. These were dishes with French names and showing a lot of technique.

Now, my kids loved the show as well and now they want to be chefs as well. This is great. In my country, the kids used to be taught how to cook very young as they were tasked to help their moms prepare meals. This also came from the fact that families were so much bigger then. My grandmother had nine kids and so my mom learned how to cook when she was 7. I know my kids are a couple of years too young for serious cooking but helping out in preparing dishes and helping me when baking is something they can do, and have done, and really enjoy at that.

If you already bake a lot then there is no additional expense. In fact, since you already cook anyway, the bonus here is that you have little helpers. Just be careful that you cook simple dishes when you involve them and always take care around the oven. This will surely keep them occupied for some hours during summertime.

So far, these are the things I have come up with. I am sure there are heaps more ideas there for summertime activities that are learning experiences and budget friendly as well.

What are your ideas for free summertime activities?

Brian
Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

 
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Filed Under: Family Time, Stuff to Do Tagged With: Cooking, Fun Activities, Games, Outdoor Play, playdough, Summer

Outdoor Activities Your Children Will Thank You For

November 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment

Jumping in a pile of leaves is just one outdoor activity your kids will enjoyPlaytime is essential to the healthy physical, social and emotional development of children. With families’ busy schedules and the increased use of technology as a form of entertainment, children are playing outside less and less. Playtime, both inside and outside, allows a child to use their imagination, which is extremely important for cognitive development. Being outside allows your child to be much more active in their play and is a change of scenery for them as well, providing their senses with different smells, sounds, sights, etc than they are exposed to inside. Here are some outdoor activities that your children will thank you for!

Classic games

If your children are not already familiar with the classic games of hide-and-seek or tag, teach them. These games are classics because all children love them, the rules are simple, and they can be played by children of all ages. They require no tools and can be played just about anywhere. These are a great way to ensure your child gets the physical activity s/he needs.

Jump in a pile of leaves

Raking is a task that needs to be completed each fall so why not have some fun with it/ Your children can play outside while you rake or they can even help by helping you bag the leaves. This is a great way to spend quality time together while also completing a chore off your to-do list. To make this task even more fun, pile the leaves up as high as you can and allow your children to jump in the pile. Children love this! Leave the very first pile of leaves for them to jump into. This provides them with extra time to play in them while you rake the rest. The leaves are easy to gather again when they are done playing in them. As an added bonus, playing in the leaves also provides for some great photo opportunities.

Wash the car together

Another great way to get something off your to do list while having fun with your children. A great way to cool off as well.

Have a picnic

Children have to eat so why not move the meal outside? You can set them up on a picnic table, if you have one, or on a blanket. Let’s face it, sometimes it is nice to not have to clean up all the crumbs from the floor too. Share a little with the animals.

Read outside

Such a simple idea but one children love. Spread a blanket on the grass and sit or lay down with your child and read, read, and read.

Go on a nature walk

Take your children on a walk or simply explore your own backyard but let them explore. Let them look at flowers, the leaves on the trees, under rocks, in puddles. It is amazing what they will discover and you may just learn a little something yourself!

Have a dance party

Hook up some music outside and let them dance, dance, dance! As a variation you can play outdoor freeze dance.

Have a water balloon fight

Water balloon fights are not something a child gets to do everyday and they are a great way to cool off. Of course, they can get out of hand without rules such as no throwing at peoples’ heads, so make sure your children know your rules ahead of time. Water balloon fights also require some preparation and clean up but they are worth it. Have the children involved in the clean up of the broken balloons. You can make it yet another game by seeing who can collect the most broken balloon pieces. Or you can assign a different color balloon to each child and have them collect only the pieces of balloon in their assigned color.

Fly a kite

Kites are relatively inexpensive and you can even make your own at home (click here) or search the internet on your own for other step-by-step instructions.

Sit or run barefoot on the grass

Children love to run around “free” and feel the grass beneath their feet. It is not something we do often enough.

Visit a construction site

I do not mean play on a construction site as we all know this is dangerous. What I mean is to walk or drive to a construction site and watch from a safe distance. This is an especially great activity for children who love building things and/or love trucks and machines.

Garden together

Whether it be a flower garden or a vegetable garden, most children love to dig in the dirt. Gardens are very educational and beautiful to look at or tasty to eat. Children love being able to pick food from their own garden and eat it for supper that night!

Use your driveway as a canvas

Thanks to sidewalk chalk and paint, children who love to draw can now use the biggest canvas they have ever seen – your driveway! These drawing substances wash off in the rain so no need to worry about any of your childrens’ creations becoming permanent fixtures. Don’t be shy! Get in on the fun with your children! Decorate the driveway as you see fit! My daughters and I have decorated the driveway for Easter, Christmas, Halloween, birthdays and many other special occasions. They also loved practising printing their names and other simple words.

Shovel the driveway together

Winter can make it much less tempting to get outside and have some fun. Adults typically cannot wait for the white stuff to go away but children love the snow. Shovelling the driveway cannot be avoided, so why not get them outside helping you? Children love to be helpful. If you have one of the scoop shovels you can always take breaks and offer your children a ride in the bucket of the shovel. My daughters love that!

Build a snowfort

My daughters are happy with snow piled up to make walls, no roof. We made snow seats for them to sit on and just left an opening for a “door”.

Build a snowman

What child does not like to build a snowman? My daughters actually own a “Snowman Kit” which was purchased for them as a gift. It comes with two pieces of coal for eyes, a plastic carrot for a nose, a black felt hat, and 3 large, black buttons. We use them everytime we build a snowman and as long as we pick up the pieces before the snowman melts or shortly thereafter, before the pieces become frozen in the snow, we always find the pieces no problem. We have had it for years and still have all of the pieces.

Have a scavenger hunt

You can hide items you already own or have purchased or you can simply have your children hunt for items you know will be easily found outside such as a rock, a leaf, a stick, etc. You can make the hunt more challenging by adding items that could very likely be found outside but are not laying around just anywhere, such as a tennis ball or a piece of ribbon, etc.

Geocaching

Check out the official geocaching website for more information on this very entertaining outdoor activity. It is basically a treasure hunt where you use GPS coordinates to find “caches” hidden by fellow geocachers. There are currently 1, 236, 409 active geocaches around the world.

Brian
Brian

Brian is the founder of Kids Ain’t Cheap and is now sharing his journey through parenthood.

 
Email • Google + • Facebook • Twitter

Filed Under: Family Time, Healthy Living & Eating, Stuff to Do Tagged With: barefoot, car wash, chalk, construction site, dance, Games, Garden, Geocaching, kite, leaves, nature walk, Outdoor Play, picnic, Playtime, read, Scavenger Hunt, shoveling, snow fort, snowman, water balloon

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Basic Principles Of Good Parenting

Here some basic principles for good parenting:

  1. What You Do Matters: Your kids are watching you. So, be purposeful about what you want to accomplish.
  2. You Can’t be Too Loving: Don’t replace love with material possessions, lowered expectations or leniency.
  3. Be Involved Your Kids Life: Arrange your priorities to focus on what your kid’s needs. Be there mentally and physically.
  4. Adapt Your Parenting: Children grow quickly, so keep pace with your child’s development.
  5. Establish and Set Rules: The rules you set for children will establish the rules they set for themselves later.  Avoid harsh discipline and be consistent.
  6. Explain Your Decisions: What is obvious to you may not be evident to your child. They don’t have the experience you do.
  7. Be Respectful To Your Child: How you treat your child is how they will treat others.  Be polite, respectful and make an effort to pay attention.
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