AffordableFamilyActivities

This is a guide including low cost or free activities meant for the entire family.

Please keep in mind that NOT ALL activities are for EVERY member of the household. When selecting an activity for the family, PLEASE remember to think about ALL the ages of the children that will be participating in the selected event. For the first event let’s work with:

Children up to 6 months old

  • Mom and dad can sit together reading to the child/ren. Musical games can incorporate learning and the building of muscles.
  • Take the children for a car ride in the fall and look at ALL the trees changing colors.
  • Sit in the park and see how many different leaves to different trees you can find and collect a few to put in babies book.
  • Remember that infants like bright colors and plenty of stimulation. A walk in the park will provide stimulation and the fresh air will ALMOST guarantee a nights sleep for mom and dad. Not ALL activities with children under 6 months old have to be indoors. The key here is MODERATION.

6 Months Old to Toddler Age

Again for this age keep in mind that moderation is the key. Children of this age range like stimulation and many times will not sit still. They seem to always wanting to be on the go.

  • A sand box in the back yard in the spring – summer months can encourage some fine motor skills as the children manipulate small objects in and around the sand.
  • Children at this age are also great crawlers as well as explores. Set up an age appropriate obstacle course. Have them crawl in and around objects. (Mom and dad can play follow the leader. DON’T forget to have some soft music playing.
  • Reading is always a great idea for ANY age of child. It encourages conversation as well as the imagination. Children at this age of course cannot tell you what they like and don’t like. Make reading fun by making noises, it may keep them interested and they just may mimic you. This may encourage stimulating play for them.

Age 3 – 6 Years Old

Children at this age are more exploratory and being UPRIGHT and ambulatory lends itself to some trying times for both the child and the parents.

  • Think of activities that will include some physical as well as learning. A great way for some beginning science lessons can be as easy as the making of play dough. The recipe follows:

1 C. flour

1/2 C. salt

Large, metal baking pan.

1/2 C. warm water.

Bowls in assorted sizes

Food color

Measure the flour and salt into the baking pan. Divide the warm water into a few bowls and tint each with the food coloring. Encourage the children to help as this will help them to not only see the importance of following instructions but will also feel good about getting to see what he/she has made.

  • The children will have fun kneading and playing for hours with the play dough. Simple science lessons can be made by mixing colors and seeing what happens to and with the NEW colors. Place unused play dough in zip lock type baggies.
  • Other actives can include a game of hide and go seek. This works best in a back yard setting with lots of places to hide. Teach the importance of playing and having fun a game of hide and go seek is an EXCELENT way of teaching your children MANY things, counting, imagination, and team playing. Teach them that it’s HOW they play the game, NOT WINNING.It is also important to SUPERVISE them at all times of this game.

When the game is over, come inside to a tasty treat, perhaps this one.

Baby Ruth Turnovers
1 (10 count) refrigerator biscuits
1 Baby Ruth candy bar
oil for deep frying
confectioners sugar
Instructions:
1. Separate biscuits and roll thin. Cut candy bar into 10 pieces. Place one piece in center of each biscuit; fold over and seal edges. Deep fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar. Yields 10 servings.

  • The summer months are full of creative things to do through out the day as well as at night time. Take a bike ride along an approved bike trail, while riding look for certain items. Items that together at home you can all sit and talk about. Leaves are a good one, wild flowers that grow along the bike path, (be careful NOT TO PICK POISEN IVY). Discuss the importance of bike safety before each trip. Once home go online and look up the different things that you collected along your bike trip.
  • Winter ideas can be just as fun and limited to ONLY your imagination. With balloons try some of the following; Keep the balloon in the air using your hand then foot
    Keep the balloon in the air alternating your right elbow then left elbow
    Hit the balloon in the air and clap 3 times before you catch it
    Hit the balloon in the air and touch your toes before you catch it. Try playing balloon volleyball in the house. Have balloon races. While holding the balloon in your open hand see how fast you can race to the other side of the house.

Web Resources:

This pamphlet was creatively put together by the following:

Sandra Williams, Darcy Burnes, KatieWickwire, Monika Lukasiewicz, Daniel Ondracek, Dan Nieto