When your children aren’t in school, completing homework, or sleeping, they likely have free time. While they might prefer to watch TV when they can, there are better things to do that will aid in better health, education, and maturity.
Whether you aim to keep young children entertained or active, here are some great ideas to pursue when your children has free time.
Dance and fitness
Whether your child loves sports and activity or not, it is important to pursue regular dance and/or fitness activities to help them maintain good health and physique. If they become lazy, it won’t help them stay motivated or encouraged to participate in sports.
For instance, you might wish to encourage your child to join local Ballet Classes as you did as a child and know how fun it was. Finding them a sporty hobby to pursue will help them keep up good health and fitness. Plus, it is a fun and active way to spend time rather than sitting in front of a TV.
Journaling
Journaling is something all ages can pursue. When your child starts to write stories, this is a good time to engage in journaling with them. The benefit of journaling as a child is the understanding of emotions. Children can find it hard to express and understand emotions.
As journals are great for sharing emotions, your child might be able to communicate better with a book rather than you. You can ask them to write about their day, how they are feeling, and any other random thoughts.
Mindful eating sessions
Most children like to eat sweets and crisps. Allowing them a balanced diet is essential. Otherwise, you are restricting their fun and childhood. You don’t necessarily need to feed them sweets from the store. You can make them instead, allowing you to control the healthy ingredients.
Further, pursuing mindful eating sessions with your child is beneficial for their understanding of nutrition and future health. Children do not necessarily understand the benefits of certain ingredients. Eating sessions can include baking and cooking together, during which you can share nutritional information. From this, they will better understand why eating certain ingredients is good for their health.
Nature walks
Another mindful activity for children is walking in nature. It is good to take walks with your children as it helps them stay active and also offers you a chance to bond. When you are stuck at home, conversations can be samey. When you walk outside, they will see and be inspired by their surroundings, which might encourage them to open up.
Further, nature walks offer the opportunity for education. You might spot certain animals or fruits growing from trees. Teaching them about nature can enhance their education and help them become more knowledge on the world around them.
Mindful games and puzzles
Children adore games. Whether they play with friends, alone, or with family, they love to get involved, have fun, and win rewards.
Playing games or solving puzzles with children that require mindfulness, such as jigsaw puzzles, board games, or building blocks, might help them become more focused, patient, and adept at solving problems. These are focused activities that teach kids to think critically while being present in the moment. Playing mindful games might help kids unwind after a hectic day by giving them a break from technology. Offering a reward at the end, like an ice cream or bedtime story of their choice, can encourage them to pursue the activity when it is presented to them.
Pursue sensory playtime
Another form of healthy entertainment is sensory play. Playing with sand, water, or clay are examples of sensory play activities that appeal to a child’s senses of touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing. These exercises can lessen anxiety in children, help them become more present-focused, and enhance their fine motor abilities.
In addition to fostering creativity and discovery, sensory play aids in the social and cognitive development of young children. Additionally, it has a relaxing effect, which is especially beneficial for kids who might be stressed or overloaded.
Gardening
Gardening is as beneficial for children as it is for adults. If you have an outside space to attend to, why not invite your children to help?
Children can be engaged in a fantastic pastime that fosters a connection with nature and teaches them patience and responsibility by tending to a garden. Children may help with sowing seeds, giving plants water, and watching them grow. As children tend to the plants, this practical exercise can serve as a meditation technique and aid in their understanding of nature. It also offers a chance for family time and imparts important knowledge about the origins of food.
Fun arts and crafts
Children can practice mindfulness and expression through art, which helps them concentrate on the here and now. By creating crafts, paintings, or drawings, they can release their creativity and lower their stress levels.
You can offer a range of supplies and allow them to express themselves freely, or you can lead them in mindful art activities like coloring mandalas or sketching patterns. This helps them focus better and gives them a calming way to express themselves.
Calming yoga
Yoga is great for everyone. Children can benefit greatly from the practice since it enhances their physical and emotional well-being. It teaches them mindfulness practices like deep breathing and meditation while also assisting them in developing their flexibility, strength, and coordination.
Children who practise yoga for a short while each morning can feel more relaxed and attentive. Fun animal postures or narratives are a common feature of kid-friendly yoga programs, which keep children interested and teach them to listen to their bodies.
There is more to free time than sitting in front of the TV. While it can be fun to have movie nights with the children, it is best to use their free time wisely. It can benefit their health, well-being, and education. It encourages them to learn, remain active, and mature.
