You know those days where you just feel like you absolutely cannot handle playing trains one more time, or you feel like you’ll scream if you have to eat one more imaginary creation that your little one has “cooked up”? Yeah, me too. Sometimes, you just get tired of playing. Though we might not like to admit it, it’s a common thing for moms and dads to feel fed up with playtime! Obviously we continue to play, because it’s about building memories with the kiddos and spending time with them in a way that makes them feel loved and appreciated. I totally get that, and I love being with my kids, but sometimes, I need another option. I’ve recently discovered though, that you don’t have to play with your kids to be interacting with them. Here are some fresh ways to interact with your kids without playing trains or dollies.
* Have a Dance Party in the Living Room
* Paint something random – We’ve done toilet paper rolls, paper plates, rocks, pine cones… anything out of the ordinary = exciting!
* Send them on a scavenger hunt
* Have a singing competition – Who can sing loudest, highest, lowest, scariest etc.
* Give them 10 minutes to create a masterpiece using only the objects in a specific room of the home – this will give you a good 10 minutes to clear your head ;)
* Tickle them – Watching the kids laugh is always a good reminder of why playtime is so important to begin with.
* Go for a walk – Free entertainment for the kiddos, fresh air, and gives you time to think!
* Pipe cleaners – Such simple objects but they are hours of fun for any age! You could give them a list of different things to create with them, or for a younger child, bring out the collander and let them run the pipes through the little holes.
* Rearange the furniture or toys – I will never understand it, but my son could have ignored certain toys for days and the moment I try to move them to another location in the home, he just HAS to play with them in the new room!
* Let them wash windows – I’m not sure what is so fun about this chore, but kids usually love it! Give them a spray bottle of water & a roll of paper towels and they will be good to go!
*Bake cookies together
*Give them stickers – Again, not sure what the appeal is for kids and stickers, but they provide so much fun for kiddos of any age. My 2 year old loves sticking them all to one paper, and then pulling them up to stick again!
*Throw them in the tub! – When I need to kill an hour or so I usually give the boy an extra bath. He loves to play in the tub, and the water entertains him (so I don’t have to)
Looking for more super-fun indoor playtime idea? Check out the master list of fun indoor playtime ideas for kids!
What about you? What do you do when you are absolutely sick of playing with your kiddos?
Carrie says
My boys love to work in their school books so sometimes we’ll bring out the school books and spend a few minutes in those. It’s a great calming down activity if they’re getting too hyper.
Right now my boys are playing with water in the bathroom sink…a favorite activity but one they don’t get to do all too often. :-)
Renee says
Yes stickers are a huge hit over here :-) We use lots of the same thing you have listed here too :-) Motherhood does makes us more creative doesn’t it :-)
Ashley Ditto says
Thank you Thank you THANK YOU For posting this. I really needed some new ideas so I don’t get burnt out, which happens!
Keri @ Growing in His Glory says
Aren’t stickers great?! I stock up at the Dollar Store and they keep the kids entertained for hours.
Great list! I’m always sick of playing with my kids, which is sad, but I’ve never been much of a “let’s play” kinda gal. But we do have fun with the arts and crafts. I’m definitely going to consider painting TP rolls and anything else we might find before it lands in the trash. Thanks for sharing!!
Maria-Isabel says
Love these ideas! So simple, but good. ♥ Love the dance party idea, and pipe cleaners! Never thought of that, seriously they are so fun to create with…. And I believe I have some in my craft room! YES!
Stephanie E. says
Great list!!! Thank you for linking up to the Inspired Wednesday Blog Hop!
JES says
Taking walks is a favorite for us. Gives exercise, clears the head and offers an impromptu nature study. Baking would be the second favorite… I suppose I like the productive stuff (what a boring mom!!!) now that I think about it :) But we do enjoy board games too. Little ones as well as older children/adults can enjoy family games like JENGA and MEMORY together which take up a lot of our nights. Thanks for the list :)
Mai says
I would definitely try your tricks. With three kids, I am sure you could just imagine how tired I can be with playing:)
I usually go with that throw in the tub trick. An hour with them playing in the water while I try to put some lipstick on is an hour or solitude for me:) Taking my spare time going through your blog:)
Alana @ The Bliss Diaries says
Thank you for sharing this with the Grace-Full Intentions community via The Bliss Project link up. As others have mentioned, this ideas are so simple but we often forget them when we’re knee-deep in Legos and Hot Wheels…
http://www.domesticblissdiaries.com
Kari says
Simple ideas that bring loads of entertainment are perfect! Yesterday I sat my 11 month old son down in front of a bowl of flour and just let him throw it everywhere. Messy moments are the exciting ones to me! :)
Kathryn says
Love this list! :)
Stacey @ Life So Lovely says
My daughter and I are known to throw impromptu dance parties in the living room, and often :) And as for the toys, I frequently go through hers and take things out of her room, and then a few months later, switch them out with different toys. She thinks it’s like getting new stuff ;)
Adrienne says
I love to get the paints out. They are my son’s favorite babysitter! :)