Parent corner: ideas for long-term kid activities \ stacker news ~alter

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Parent corner: ideas for long-term kid activities

1091 sats \ 18 comments \ @south_korea_ln 13 Jun alter_native

My 5-year old kid loves playing with his Lego, but I kinda have to tell him "why don't you play with your Lego?".

I'm looking for creative ideas for some other creative things I could try to initiate him to. I'd like to see him fully absorbed in something, day in day out, when he comes back from school, he's looking forward to playing with it. Like model trains (but I don't know anything about them, and we don't really have free space in the house where he could just leave them be when he's not playing with them). Or some science kits that introduce him to building his own electronics using Arduinos. Anything~~

Several kids his age are already into computer games like Roblox, but I kinda wanna keep that for later. I'd like to see his creative juices flow, using his hands and possibly his brain.

What worked for you? What were your passions as a kid that you look back on fondly now? Or that are even useful to you now as an adult? I'd love for him to start coding, using computers creatively, but probably not the time yet for that.

Don't wanna force anything on him, but maybe just exposing him to different options will let him figure out what he likes.

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193 sats \ 1 reply \ @Scoresby 13 Jun

At five years old it may be a little young for him to be consistently interested in the same thing. I have a 6 year old and an 8 year old and about the only thing they are consistently interested in is playing with each other. I notice my kids will get into something for a few days and then they will move on.

I definitely understand your desire to wait to introduce computer games -- once you open that box, you can't close it very easily.

One thing that has really captured my 6 year old lately is listening to an audio book while he colors or draws. The combination of a story with something to do with his hands has been pretty awesome. Not sure how long it will last though.

Only other suggestion I have is to be pretty strict with a scheduled "quiet time" or "play time" when you make it clear that he has to entertain himself and you are not available to be a playmate. We do it for two hours every afternoon and it is a rhythm the kids have gotten quite used to, but I still have to defend it and keep the boundary clear.

34 sats \ 0 replies \ @south_korea_ln OP 13 Jun

Yeah, probably just mentally getting ready so that I can find him the good stuff when he's little bit older.

Very much agree with the "alone time". Setting the routine is key. Same as we did with going to the library every Sunday. He didn't want at first, now he complains if we can't go one week.

Good advice on the audiobooks. For some reason, I've forgotten about this option ever since I did not have to take him on my commutes anymore.

Tnx.

151 sats \ 3 replies \ @Undisciplined 13 Jun

We got a science kit for my daughter that she loved using. It had a bunch of different experiments that could be done with safe normal ingredients.

The downside was that it wasn’t a good independent activity since I had to do most of the steps, or at least read them.

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @south_korea_ln OP 13 Jun

I've been thinking of getting him a subscription to Mark Gober's stuff, but as it is a bit pricey, waiting a few years for the more fun stuff to be suitable for him. Indeed, want it to be independent.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @Undisciplined 13 Jun

It's been really hard to predict what will captivate her interest for extended periods. Sometimes it's a single toy that she just takes on endless adventures and sometimes it's building her own things out of what would otherwise be garbage.

It's usually not anything we thought would hold her interest, though.

42 sats \ 0 replies \ @south_korea_ln OP 13 Jun

True. Their ability to not yet follow the set thought patterns expected from them by society or adults leads them to enjoy some pretty unpredictable things. It's fascinating to watch.

89 sats \ 1 reply \ @OT 13 Jun

My 4yo just wants to play the same thing everyday. Cars...

We have a bunch of building toys like Lego, mobilo and magnetic buildings etc. When I get them out and start building with him he usually gets into it. I prefer this kind of play to imaginary. Usually when he's with friends the imaginary play comes out more.

I think at this age playing outside with friends is the best for creativity and learning.

18 sats \ 0 replies \ @south_korea_ln OP 13 Jun

I agree. His at his best with friends, in terms of creativity. But at home, he still very much needs me to for that, only recently started being a little bit independent.

63 sats \ 2 replies \ @grayruby 13 Jun

My daughter loved magnetic blocks. She doesn’t play with them so much anymore but for a solid couple years that was her go to.

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @stack_harder 22h

we have a ton of the magnetic shapes and they have served us well too

40 sats \ 0 replies \ @south_korea_ln OP 13 Jun

It comes in phases, true.

Maybe I'm just projecting my own desire to have one thing to be very passionate about.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Rothbardian_fanatic 15h

Where we lived there was a dearth of things to do for young kids, however, we had scouts. Our kids had a really good time with scouts and it did not take lots of time but was good fun and making good friends.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @stack_harder 22h

how about one of these DIY STEM kits for kids https://thestempedia.com/setup-robotics-lab-for-school-with-structured-curriculum-diy-robotics-kits-and-practical-activity-books/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22236459034&gclid=Cj0KCQjwmK_CBhCEARIsAMKwcD6UJs6GefJmwIzCtLVP7Jf3QHPDK4OQpkd1t7cFXCAJKGUcF4nSAAoaAvoPEALw_wcB

i haven't tried them, but they're on the radar

bit pricy, but might have to try an aliexpress version

these unofficial 3d minecraft cubes are also good

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @teremok 23h

My son loves rock climbing. Like he's absolutely hooked and I love it too. He's 6

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Signal312 13 Jun

I have just one piece of advice and that is...have strict, set in stone limits for screen/video game time. Or, none at all.

If the screen time options is just NOT THERE at all, your son WILL find the other options.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @398ja 13 Jun

You did a great job telling us what you'd like for him, but you missed the most important part: What does he want for himself? 🙂

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @south_korea_ln OP 13 Jun

He wants to watch cartoons if i let him choose.

And play outside.

I favour the latter.

But you're very right, it's not about me telling him what to do. But if i can expose him to some new experiences, he may just like them.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @398ja 13 Jun

I have the same problem, which is why I limit exposure to electronics and internet. Without these options, they become very creative, more focused, and interested in whatever they choose to do. For me, being bored is also ok