Hands-on and Constructive

M Worthylake

Guidance Counsellor

PLAYING WITH YOUR

KIDS

Your child doesn’t come trained. Fortunately,

there’s you-tube where you can learn more.

Sometimes a LOT can be learned from just

having fun.

WHY?

Being imaginative & creative

Coping with frustration

Learning (hands on)

Building confidence – You’re creating a ‘Can kid’

Self regulation of emotions

Exercise

Problem-solving

Developing longer attention spans

Perseverance

Taking care of things

BENEFITS OF IMAGINATIVE PLAY:

Make play a priority! Avoid: “I’m not up for it.”, “It’s too

much mess”, “I can do it quicker myself.” “Today’s not

good. We ’ll do it another time.” “You don’t deserve it!”

This creates an ‘I can’t do it, won ’t do it kid ’ - instead of

a resourceful, competent ‘can-do’ kid.

Prepare ahead by having everything you need for the

activity. The costs are very, very little.

If it helps, invite one of your child ’s friends over.

Make sure your child is rested and fed.

For kids that have trouble transitioning, set a timer and

give prior notice of when you will be ending the activity.

Make the most of You-tube for guidance and motivation.

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

Sign out a book,

Sign out an audio book and listen together and

discuss.

Teach your child how to use the library.

Get their schedule of upcoming events. They are

listed online.

1.CHECK OUT THE LOCAL LIBRARY

http://handsonaswegrow.com/28-ways-to-play -with-balloons/

http://voices.yahoo.com/ten-fun-things-kids-balloons-

854063.html?cat=25

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYo96F10Brg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apUFA5FLgAk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v

=1Fs6k64IItM

2. FUN WITH BALLOONS

Balloons are cheap, fun and hands-on

fun!

http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/quick_how_to/pa

piermacheballoon/papiermacheballoon.html

3. SCULPTING

• http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-

Playdough-Play-doh/

Paper Mache

Playdough

http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/TIPS/Tips1102.pdf

http://www.crayola.com/products/crayola -modeling-clay -

product/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Z1djo -T9oM

4. FUN WITH CLAY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ak8Bh9Zka50&feature=re

lated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az0LzYmSaCs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqDSW5XUgms

More magnet magic on You-tube

5. FUN WITH MAGNETS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2o7Oom7OCg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWkZoHVjmqI

http://jewelry -crafts.wonderhowto.com/how -to/make-

friendship-bracelets-flip-flop-candy-stripe-303132/

6. FUN MAKING BRACELETS

http://pinterest.com/TeachingHeart/cardboard -box-creations/

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/967135/diy -

collapsible-cardboard-playhouse

http://rustsunshine.blogspot.ca/2012/03/cardboard -

playhouse.html

See ‘cardboard playhouses ’ on Google images for more ideas.

7. FUN WITH CARDBOARD

http://www.worldslargestbubble.com/blog/2010/05/top -11-

secrets-for-creating-record-breaking-big-bubbles/

http://happyhooligans.ca/2012/06/18/homemade-giant-

bubbles/

8. FUN WITH BUBBLES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wRQ27uXoM4&feature=r

elated

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ9r3 -

1KYs4&feature=related

9. FUN WITH MARBLES

Make a movie

Take photographs to tell a story

Trick photography

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCUkj9OoUCA

Frame a photo

10. FUN WITH PHOTOGRAPHY

Go skating

Go for a swim

Walk the beach (any season)

Walk the park (take a camera)

Go bowling

Wickwire playground

Throw/kick a ball

Go fishing

11. FUN WITH LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

http://www.pbs.org/parents/food-and-fitness/eat-

smart/cooking-with-kids/

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/ResourcesForYo

u/Consumers/NFLPM/UCM193075.pdf

http://www.canadianliving.com/moms/food/65_kid_fr

iendly_recipes.php

http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/foodsmarts/article

4.html (For your child)

http://pediasure.com/kid-nutrition/child-nutrition-

facts (For your)

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/favouri

tes/kids-cooking/

12. FUN WITH COOKING

-NOT JUST BAKING

Plan a treasure hunt where everyone wins a prize.

Draw with sidewalk chalk

Do a puzzle together

Do a scavenger hunt

Play hide and seek

Read a book together

13 SIMPLE BUT FUN

7-Up, Go fish, Crazy eights, cribbage

Dice games: 5000, yahtzee

14. FUN WITH PLAYING CARDS

Make paper airplanes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QtpYt_asmE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3_VMPkzI8A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=zUM0_NqphW0&feat

ure=fvwp

Newspaper Structures:

http://craftingagreenworld.com/2012/12/10/how -to-build-

newspaper-structures-with-your-kids-its-a-toy -that-you-can-

recycle/

Simple origami

15. FUN WITH PAPER

Plan it or it won ’t happen. Involve your child in the

planning - it’s often the best part.

Avoid having one winner and illumination games.

If the project turns out perfectly, chances you took

control and it wasn ’t much fun for your child. Back off!

Make sure your biggest obstacle for enjoyment is not you

(fatigue, stress) - be up for it.

Don’t overwhelm your child with too many choices – start

slowly.

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

Respect attention spans: younger kids and some

personalities have a shorter span of attention.

Breaks may be required to complete some activities.

If you’re playing a game, talk about losing prior to

starting so you child learns to accept loosing. Win or

lose, say, “Good game!”

Plan clean up as part of the activity. Do it together.

Remember the bottom line: Your kids just want to

spend fun time with you.

More tips…

Balloons

Masking tape

String

Scissors

Magnets

Paper

Embroidery floss

Crayola markers

Marbles

Playing cards

Plastic straws

Clay

buttons

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