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Step 1
Tune into your kids’ interests. If they love to draw, invest in art supplies and set up a work station in the kitchen. If they enjoy reading, take them to the library to check out books.
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Step 2
Ask your kids to help you. Use daily chores as opportunities to teach your children. If you’re cooking, allow your children to prepare the ingredients ahead and mix them together. Young children may enjoy helping you fold the laundry or make the bed.
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Step 3
Be creative. Give your children 5 minutes to find 5 items in the house to use in a story they will write. Then give them 15 minutes to write the stories, allowing each one time to read it to the other kids and you. Invite them to prepare a play to perform.
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Step 4
Go camping at home. If it’s raining outside, set up a campsite in your family room and have the whole family sleep there overnight. You can prepare s’mores by setting up your fondue set with marshmallows and graham crackers; lay down an old sheet to catch any spills. If the weather is nice, consider camping out in the backyard and preparing dinner on the grill.
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Step 5
Plan a game day. Spend the day playing any kind of game your kids suggest. Offer them different board games to play, or engage them in Hide-and-Seek. Let each kid choose a game so that everyone has a turn to do something they want.
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Step 6
Let the kids do the planning. Give each of them a chance to express their interests through games and activities.
