One of the habits I have adopted for 2018 us to be less busy on weekends. Allowing me time to play and be more available to my girls. I feel that when I have too many ‘plans’ I just do not get to everything or get to spend quality time at home.
Whatever amount of time we have with our children, let’s make it count!
Related Post: Don’t Call My Daughter Shy (or any other kid for that matter)
Here are five tips on maximizing play time with kids
Get on the floor with them
Nothing beats getting on the floor with your kids and playing with them. You are at their level and you can engage and participate fully.
Manage screen time
We love watching TV in our house.
Therefore, it is even more important that we strive to create a form of balance.
To maximize play time with your children, get off your screen. If they see you on your phone, or laptop, they will want to watch a screen too. Trust me, our family loves TV – but I do keep an eye on it. We have our TV sessions but I make a point of switching off the screens.
When you forget about your screens, so will your children.
Let your kids take over
Allow your child to direct play time.
Let their creativity shine through as they use their imagination. They might just surprise you!
When we read books these days its a full on ‘play’ and my four-year-old LOVES acting out book characters.
Go Outside
Nothing beats just stepping outside and playing a game. I get grumpy when there is too much running around, but I give it a go!
My daughter discovered ‘tag’ – oh man, that game leaves me huffing and puffing like an old woman.
Set time aside for play
Very often, we get caught up in doing what we ‘need to do’ by the time we look again the day or weekends is over.
Don’t be afraid of setting time one side and ‘scheduling’ play time. For me, I try to keep my weekend as open as possible so I know I will have enough time to just ‘be’ at home. You know what I mean?
GIVE AWAY!
In the spirit of playtime, I am giving away a My Little Pony and a Play-Doh toy to two lucky readers.
My Little Pony Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike the Dragon Friendship Duet
Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike the Dragon always stick together, especially when they sing a song.
Press the Cutie Mark button on the Princess Twilight Sparkle figure to hear her sing by herself, or hold the Spike the Dragon figure next to her while she sings, to hear them sing a duet. Music sounds best when friends sing together. For more information please visit My Little Pony, My Little Pony Facebook Page or the My Little Pony YouTube Channel.
Play-Doh Sizzlin’ Stovetop
Have fun with the Play-Doh Sizzlin’ Stovetop that makes real sizzling sounds as soon as the skillet or saucepan are placed on the burners. Listen to how the sizzle gets louder when a Play-Doh creation is placed in one of the pans, almost like a real stove.
Want to know what’s on the menu? Use the Play-Doh stamps to create pretend steak and eggs, crazy burgers and even fish. Add some Play-Doh veggies with the half mould and use your tongs and spatula to flip and grab your creations before displaying them on the plates provided. For more information visit Play-Doh, Play-Doh Facebook Page or the Play-Doh YouTube Channel.
To Enter Follow This one Easy Step
- Comment on the Facebook Give Away Post or the Instagram Giveaway post whether you prefer the My Little Pony or Play Doh toy and tag one mommy friend.
That is it, you are in! Good luck!
Increase your chances of winning. For extra entries do the following – note each action is one additional entry:
- Share this post on facebook and tag (@mydailycake)
- Subscribe to our mailing list (form posted below)
- Share this post on twitter
Rules: Competition is open until Thursday 1 March. Winners will be announced by latest 5th March. Only open to SA residents. Prizes will be shipped by the agency.
Good luck!
XXX
Disclaimer: Toys sponsored by Hasbro.
Amazing giveaway! Signed up!
Amazing giveaway
It is so easy to fill Up our weekends with activities that come Sunday night you are exhausted and realise You haven’t spent much time with the kids. Limiting screen time is essential. I have noticed that when I do, K wants to do other things so definitely keeping that one up
Such a great post and tips too