Play Tips
Play is essential to child development, and physically active play can
help prevent a range of serious illnesses. Parents of young children need to
encourage them to play.
Get Them Outside
Running around outside like lunatics will help your children to blow off
steam, and they’ll be much calmer when you get them back inside. Don’t panic
if they get wet and mucky, you can always warm them up in the bath when they
come back indoors.
Beat the Weather
The Irish weather can be “unpredictable”, “unsettled”, or even
“changeable”, but unless you’re planning a move to Australia, you’d better
get used to it. As Billy Connolly once said: “There’s no such thing as bad
weather, just the wrong clothing”…so get yourself and the kids some
waterproof clothes.
Join In!
Remember that you’re never too old to have fun playing with your kids.
The activity will benefit you, and you’ll end up feeling invigorated.
Playing together really is “quality” time with the kids…so instead of
getting stressed about them bouncing around inside and wrecking the house,
go out and play catch, or tag, or teach them a game from your own childhood.
Supervise from a Distance
It’s understandable in this day and age if you don’t want to let younger
children play completely unsupervised, but adults can supervise
unobtrusively. Let the kids lead the way, and if it feels right, join in!
Play Ball
Whether you’re kicking a soccer ball, catching a rugby ball, pucking a
sliotar or just throwing a tennis ball around, playing ball can be a great
way to get some exercise and bond with your kids. The art of the backyard
kick-around is in danger of dying out, so get out there and get some game
time. You don’t need to be a top athlete – your kids will appreciate you
getting involved in a simple game of catch.
Blow Bubbles
For younger children, this is a great way to encourage physical activity.
Kids love bubbles, and when kids play “catch the bubble” they get a serious
work-out without even realising it - a great way for kids to burn off excess
energy. Set your kids off to see how many bubbles they can catch…not only
will they have bags of fun, this will help younger children to practice
counting. You can improvise bubble blowers from cardboard tubes and paper
cups with the ends cut off…just make sure kids don’t suck up the bubble mix!
Leave them off and let them develop their own bubble games.
Skipping
For kids aged 4 and over, skipping can be a great playtime activity.
Skipping aids coordination and is an excellent way of staying fit. It is
great preparation for sport, and it is very cheap…all you need is a rope!
Chalk it Up!
Give your kids some chalk and let them draw on the patio or on the
walls…don’t worry, it’ll wash off in the rain. Teach your children how to
play hopscotch, then let them entertain themselves. Make your bubble mix a
day in advance and it will be stronger.
Go For a Family Walk
Start a new family tradition - wrap up warm, put your boots on, and go
for a family walk. The exercise will benefit both you and the kids, and will
leave you with higher energy levels. Exercise has been scientifically proven
to improve mood (I’m not joking, try it and see)…so when the family are at
each other, get ‘em out for a walk!
Go Beachcombing
Bring a bucket and go rock pooling with your young amateur naturalists,
collect shells, bring a Frisbee, bring a ball, bring a dog. Combine a
beachcombing trip with a picnic…bring a thermos of hot chocolate for the
kids, and coffee for the adults.
