More ways to have fun.....

More Ways to Have Fun…..

I am constantly on the lookout, or in a state of heightened awareness, when the children are going to be with me for any length of time, and we have nothing planned. Usually I learn from them what will entertain them and not lead to the expectation that every time they visit we will be doing something that costs money. One day Owen entertained himself for quite awhile just looking in the full length mirror on the back of the living room closet door. Now we have long mirrors both up and downstairs so they can prance and mimic as much as they want. These are particularly helpful during dress up and plays.

The exersaucer has been around since the first grandchild arrived. However, I did hear a pediatrician declaim about them on NPR. He said that until he had his own first child, he did not realize that there were different models, from bare bones to all the bells and whistles. He now believes that the fewer things on it the better; the ones with all the stuff foster distractibility, and contribute to ADD or ADHD or maybe both. We certainly do not want to be responsible for that, so we try to keep that in mind when acquiring equipment for the kids.

They loved the batons, and used them for parades, twirling, riding on like horses, and all kinds of props during their performances. Bubbles also come in handy, and I am on the lookout for those giant wands that make the really big bubbles you can chase. So far I have found them only in kits which are way more money than I want to spend.

Two chairs pushed together make a great rocket ship. Draping a large blanket or tablecloth over the dining room table makes an instant fort or hiding place. We use the flagstones outside for hopscotch. When we are out and about we find things like this silly train cut out and take pictures to entertain ourselves later on.

The Sit ‘n Spin has been around for years, and the kids have found various uses for it. Emma is shown here using it as it was designed, but the others have improvised, and no one has been more than scratched or bumped so far! They have amazing imaginations, and just by observing them I have added a ton of things to my “how will we amuse ourselves today” repertoire.

Although on occasion we do go places (the zoo, miniature golfing, the Children’s Museum, etc.) that do cost money (and I plan to write about those in the near future), with 9 of them and the two of us now retired, we cannot do these things too often, which is why I seek free or inexpensive ways to have fun when we are together.

I am hopeful that many of you out there reading this will add more by clicking on the comment icon and sharing yours so we accumulate quite a treasury of activities. Two heads are better than one!

Tip #23: You do not have to spend money to have fun and provide entertainment when your grandchildren visit. Of course there are the usual coloring books, card games, board games, etc., but with a little creativity and sharply honed observation skills, you can have a veritable trunk load of things to do at your fingertips. These then become a part of the history of visiting your home, and you will not find yourself dipping into your savings to provide amusement…….nor will you create the expectation that costly visits outside your home will take place each time.

And we'll have fun, fun, fun......

And we’ll have fun, fun, fun……

We could spend a whole lot of money in a very short time if we didn’t use the resources available to us in our own and neighboring towns. On the weekends, the schoolyards are virtually empty. There are two elementary and one middle school in our town, and an elementary school in the next town (where I taught 8th grade for almost three decades!). Aside from the playground equipment (pictured on the playground blog a while ago), there are many other ways to use the area.

Rolling down hills small and large is a great physically liberating activity. Probably it is not a good idea to suggest this if the children are garbed in white, or clothing that must be preserved at all costs. Most of the dirt and grass stains will wash right out (I always have a Tide laundry stick in the glove compartment, just in case), and the kids just love it and will do it for as long as you let them. You might want to scan the area for broken limbs or big rocks or even glass shards beforehand, but so far it has not been a problem for us.

There is a grotto area with large rocks which they love to climb. I have held my breath on more than one occasion, but, again, the kids love the thrill of the climb, and even play hide ‘n seek once up there. I stay right with them, and discourage outrageous risk taking. Some of their favorite pictures originated in this area; they love to show their friends how brave and strong they were, scaling these monster rocks.

I always carry first aid necessities (bacterial spray, bandages, wipes, after bite for bug bites, tweezers, etc.) in addition to the preventative things like bug spray and sun block. If you can pick up various sizes of cheap sweatshirts at a bargain store to keep on hand, you will have a backup for wet or soiled clothing.

The playing fields are well maintained, and there is lots of room to throw Frisbees, bat a ball, practice kicking into the net, and a host of other things. Keeping a laundry basket in the car (or in the garage or basement to put in the car whenever you venture out with the grandchildren) means that you will always have equipment on hand for whatever you decide to do.

Once we returned home we got out the sidewalk chalk and riding toys. Owen really looks like he is strong enough to pull the red wagon, even though they outweigh him 3-1! Kids switch on and off the various riding toys as we go along. I now need to go scavenging for some larger helmets and bikes without training wheels to keep handy. We review safety rules before we head out, and hold strictly to the rule that if you don’t follow the rules and/or listen to the person taking you around, you get to sit out the next journey.

It is a wise idea to talk with their parents ahead of time to find out what parameters they have established for these activities, particularly bike riding, before you set out. Although children can adapt to differing sets of rules, you will have a much better chance of success if you try to incorporate what they already know into whatever you are setting up for guidelines. The trick is to stick to it, and not forget or be wheedled out of it the next time. I totally believe in indulging them……to a point. Safety is not an issue to be negotiated, and we work very hard to follow through on whatever it is we’ve said. I am not comfortable (ok, confession here….it makes me giggle) with the whole 1,2,3 strikes you’re out disciplinary mode, but it can be mutated to fit your needs and not seem totally foreign. One of our daughters has the child put “nose to the wall”, an upgraded time-out punishment, and it seems to be quite effective. For some reason, her children view this as a more serious punishment, and usually all she has to do is threaten it for the behaviors to change. I am a huge proponent of anything reasonable that works!

Take a drive (or walk, or bike ride, especially if gas is increasing as rapidly where you are as it is here!) around your geographic area and see what might be available for outings with your grandchildren. With a little ingenuity and creativity, you do not need to spend oodles of money on entertaining them, and still have a great day. The busier they are, the fewer problems you will have!

Tip #22: Your town can provide many opportunities for fun ways to spend the time when your grandchildren are visiting. Do some preliminary scouting so you will be prepared in advance and can plan accordingly. If you have a short visit, only try to do one or two things. If the children will be with you for an overnight or longer, spread out your use of these resources so that you will have new things to do every day. You may find that your tax dollar at work benefits you even though your own children have moved on!

And Happy Mother's Day!