How to Play at the Park With Your Kids

One of the greatest things you can do is to leap into your children's favorite pastime with them--play in the park. It can be hard to get your weary parenting body into motion, as even going half the speed of your vibrant children is a challenge. But if you let go of your world and enter into theirs every now and then, you might find yourself relaxing and finding your way back to that playful part of you. Was it really so long ago that you were this tiny and full of energy and wonder? Go to the park and let your kids be your guide. You might have more fun than they do!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Follow them and do what they do. If they go on the swings, you go on the swings. If they fall down in the sand, you fall down in the sand. If they climb, slide, dig to China. If they roll on the grass, go right along with them.
2. Pick dandelions or find pinecones. Make a huge stack, or build a pretend nest out of them. Go on a lucky rock hunt. Ask your child what a lucky rock looks like, so you know what you're looking for.
3. Play "Monster" on the jungle gym. They run away and you try to catch them and carry them off to "cook" them. When you set them down on the "stove," let them wriggle away and surprise you. Then you have to catch them all over again.
4. Bring bubbles, or a soccer ball, baseball and gloves, chalk, jump ropes, basketball or a kite. Play whatever seems like fun at the moment.
5. Always visit the ice cream man if he comes around. When you're sitting eating ice cream with your kids, tell them this is the best day you ever had.