Do you remember when you were younger, and it was safe to get out and about? What about when riding a bike to school was the norm and every kid had to get to school by themselves? What happened to the days where it was considered normal to get out and about walking the streets, hanging out with mates and meeting up with each other to play?
Are Kids Having Fun Anymore?
Are there any days where kids are having fun just playing? Can they rely on creating their own fun or do they have to stay in doors playing the latest game on their Xbox, Wii, PlayStation or DS? I remember a time when it was cool to walk from a mate's house, to the local shops or to school. Or even to the train station so we could all meet up with other mates and catch a train to the movies. There was never a time back then when sitting at home for hours on end was allowed. Gosh there was many a times when I heard "Go on, outside and play - get the air and sun into you."
Staying Home To Stay Safe
Is it now too dangerous to let our kids out to play? Or have we all become to consumed by the latest technology, or is everyone joining too many sporting/dancing activities that there is no longer any time left in the day for kids to have fun? Can there be a medium ground where kids are allowed to have fun, without having to rush them off to the next activity or the next sport function? Kids need to learn how to play in the outdoors, and still be safe without having to have structure activities all the time
Kids Having Fun Playing
Kids need to be able to climb trees, and explore their world. There is no point having a kid go to school five days a week, childcare the rest of the time, and then sporting events all weekend, or drama, or dancing, or swimming - or whatever it is that is on offer to keep them busy. Actually they have proven that children need "Down Time" or quiet time where they can just be a kid. Here are seven easy tips on how to let your kid have fun:
- Go for a walk to the local park, and let the children decide what they want to do.
- Ride a bike to the shops instead of going by car. If it's too far to ride, then maybe use public transport and let the children decide where to catch the bus/train and let them find out the public transport times! They will have fun deciding what they want to do.
- Find a big tree, and let them climb as high as they want.
- Invite their friends over for an afternoon - an afternoon where there is no electricity, and encourage them to play hide n seek, or chasing games
- Ask the kids what they want to do for fun, and let them take turns in choosing a different activity for the afternoon.
- Take the kids to the beach. If you are near the beach, then take them for an afternoon of finding the most amazing shells, or even to a rock pool Kids love finding sea creatures in the rock pool
- Try a day with no TV. Let the kids know which day is going to be a no TV zone, and see what ideas they come up with for entertainment!
Kids Having Fun
There are many ways kids used to have fun that did not cost money, did not need electricity and got them out of the house. Kids having fun is possible when they make their own fun. To see more about kids having fun visit New Life on the Road where a family has no TV, no Wii, No Playstation, no Xbox, no DS, no computers for the kids and a life that's created by the kids having fun.