Fall is like a potpourri for the senses: the brilliant colors of the leaves splashed against a crisp blue sky, the honk of migrating waterfowl, and the sharp scent of wood smoke as fireplaces come back to life.
Sounds good doesn’t it? On the other hand, as our average daily temperature drops, our children will be spending more and more time indoors. After roaming free-range all summer this can be a tough transition for kids and caregivers alike. Amusing children with small muscle activities is easier than providing safe, enjoyable big muscle activities that are appropriate for indoors, but there are solutions for both.
Small Muscle Activities Every household has a cache of coloring books, crayons, paints and markers and there are usually some board games stashed away somewhere, as well. Older children can learn new skills like card games, checkers, and even chess. Shopping garage sales is an affordable way to stock up on new (to your kids, anyway) games, puzzles and books. Libraries often hold sales where used books are sold inexpensively. Stash your purchases away and don’t let the kids have at them until fall when everyone will appreciate the ‘new’ books and games.
For free coloring pages and craft ideas check out www.crayola.com. This is an excellent, free website that you can turn to anytime. Or just type in the words, ‘bored’ and ‘kids’. You will find dozens of sites to add to your arsenal for fighting boredom.
Big Muscle Activities This is more challenging for any number of reasons—with lack of space and safety concerns topping the list. The same websites mentioned earlier also have some fun and usable ideas for providing house-bound children with some physical activity. Here are a few ideas:
- Recycle plastic Easter eggs and plastic spoons by having an egg and spoon race. Mark out the race course and instruct the ‘racers’ that they must walk briskly, or skip or march.
- Throw a dance party. Nearly all children and toddlers love to dance and there are many DVDs devoted to this.
- Play a few rounds of Twister.
- Get out the Halloween costumes and have a parade. Have the children march in line from one room to the next. They won’t really care that no one is watching.
- Everyone sit in a circle on the floor and roll a ball to each other.
- Wii stations can be a good way to get real exercise. Follow the recommended age guidelines.
- Play indoor versions of outdoor games like bowling.
Always be firm on safety rules, but with small kids feel free to bend game rules to keep them engaged. Whatever efforts you make will trump what the television set has to offer.