When I was a child, rainy days could really dampen playtime for my friends and I because we aren’t allowed to go outside. Playing indoors is boring. But since kids today enjoy a lot of gadgets at home, they probably won’t notice anything different.

However, it’s not a good idea to let children be playing with video games all the time. Sometimes you have to also initiate other activities. On rainy days, it can be challenging but here are some ideas to make playing indoors fun, and without the use of any portable technology.

1. Baking

Parents don’t usually allow kids to be in the kitchen because they may hurt themselves. But with an adult’s help, you can spend the day baking cookie doughs or going for the more ambitious like baking pasta or fish meals. Kids enjoy measuring and doing something with their hands, such as kneading. And I’m sure they will love it more if they see the fruits of their labor — and realize that it tastes really good.

2. Arts and Crafts

Don’t do the usual coloring, cutting and pasting as children do these a lot in school and may now feel like a chore, instead of a fun thing to do. Be creative. This is playtime, so have fun with your ideas. I’m thinking shaving creams mixed with tubed watercolors can be fun. They don’t have to create masterpieces. The idea is to have something that will keep them busy and entertained.

3. Have A Game Of Cards

This one always works with my kids and their game of choice is Go Fish! We make it interesting by placing bets. And we use pebbles for our bets. The more pebbles earned at the end of the game, and the winner gets a prize from Mom or Dad.

Game company THQ has announced a tablet to let Nintendo Wii users draw and share games. This could open the door to a lot of creativity-based games in the future. While technology aided art isn’t new, this could be a fun addition to your video games line up.

THQ will ship uDraw Studio bundled with uDraw GameTablet at a price of $70 (Rs. 3,260 approx.) by the end of the year. The other two games – Pictionary and Dood’s Big Adventure will arrive at the same time for $30 (Rs. 1,400 approx.) each. These games would be available in Europe and other countries by early next year.

(Source)

Here is the trailer for the soon to be released tablet:

Creativity based play is important for a child’s development, and while the Nintendo Wii is more a game system than an art studio this tablet can still help to aid in creative play.

Christmas parties are not just for adults but also for our youngsters. So if you’re planning for a holiday party for your child, make sure that it’s creative and fun. You must determine what kind of activites will keep your children’s visitor occupied. You should also make a game that would involve everyone. The following are few tips that you can consider for a fun youngsters Christmas party:

*Wear costumes-  It’s not just halloween that kids should wear costumes but also Christmas. You can ask the visitors to come in their most creative red or green costume. You can tell them that the best costume will get a big prize. It doesn’t have to b expensive. They can use ribbons or colorful pins to make the costumes.

*kids theme – Use decorations that the children can relate like cartoon characters who’s in their Christmas costume. (Sponge bob, barbie, spiderman etc)Remember that kids loves bright athmosphere. Try using colorful lights and playing children songs,

*Don’t be afraid to ask for help – it’s good to ask for help from other parents so that they can contribute few of their suggestions for an ideal party.

*Be creative with your food – We know that kids doesn’t eat a lot, so try serving little snacks for them. You can actually make Christmas cookies and letting the kids design it. What’s more fun about this is that it will serve as a bonding time with their parents. You can also provide plastics so that they can take home their own cookies.

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Flying the not so friendly skies?

At one time or another, almost every child takes something that’s not hers – whether it’s mom’s lipstick, a toy from a friend’s house, or a lollipop at the store. This will surely distressed the parents when this happens. But parents must know that their children (ages 4-5) usually get something because they have trouble of controlling their impulses. Even if they know that stealing is wrong, they won’t be able to control themselves especially if the object is colorful and attractive.

Parents must learn how to handle this kind of situation. They must try not to overreact and humiliate their child. Instead, they must use this situation as a valuable learning opportunity. Here are some helpful strategies:

• Talk about what your child wants and other ways to get it- For example, your child can put the coveted item on her birthday or Christmas wish list. She can do extra chores to get some money to buy the toy that she wants.
• Look for similar items at home – If your child tries to steal a doll from the store, point out how many dolls she already has. If she takes a pack of chocolates, remind her that you just made colorful chocolates two nights ago, and she can get as many she wants on the table.
• Be creative- try using your own experience and tell your child the consequences of doing that. Don’t make her feel that she’s a bad person; just let her realize that what she did was wrong and that you still love her.

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