I recently had the opportunity to talk with parents in the Early Childhood program of Roseville Area Schools about what parents can do to encourage their child’s interests and talents.  We talked about how as parents, we need to really notice and help our children discover and express what is unique about them. 

One of the best things we can do is to make sure our children have lots of opportunities to try new things.  How will we know our child is a budding Brett Favre if they never have a chance to play with a ball?  How will we know our child loves poetry, if they never get a chance to hear it?  How will we know they love to sing if they never get to hear music. 

It doesn’t take money to create a “rich” environment for kids.  It just takes seeing the world through their eyes and giving them lots of opportunities to play and discover.  We’ve created some lists of free and fun things to do with kids—both at home and in our communities.  Give them a try and let us know what you think.  And, help us add to our lists by sending your thoughts about things you like to do with your kids. 

10 Things You Can Do at Home:

1.   Shovel snow or rake leaves with your kids.  You might wind up with more snow on the driveway than when you started but you’ll be creating memories with your kids.

2.  Have a scavenger hunt in the house.  Make a list of 10 common household items and see who finds them all first.  Be sure to include some creative ideas like three blue items from the bathroom or two mismatched shoes.

3.  Make bath time play time.  Use plastic containers to practice pouring.  Use shaving cream or foam soap to paint on the shower walls.  Or create amazing hairdo’s with shampoo bubbles. 

4.  Create a fort in the house by putting sheets and/or blankets over chairs and tables.  Have a tea party inside or even pile your sleeping bags in and have a sleepover.  When it’s warmer outside, pitch a tent and camp in your back yard. 

5.  Tie washcloths in their feet and have them skate around, helping you dust.

6.  Have a sing-a-long.  Invite some friends over and teach each other some new songs.  Or just sing-a-long to the radio.

7.  Use diaper boxes or shoeboxes to create giant building blocks.  Tape them shut and use them to build tall stacks.  Just duck before they fall over.

8.  Create recycled art projects.  Look around the house to find materials you can use.  A cereal box covered with a picture and cut into pieces becomes a puzzle, two empty toilet paper rolls become a pair of binoculars.  See what else you can create. 

9.  Create “paper-bag skits”.  Gather about six or seven props in a paper bag and create a skit using all of the props. 

10.  Create a scrapbook or picture collage together.  Take some of your favorite photos or pictures cut from magazines and glue them on a piece of paper.  Use your collage to decorate your room, the refrigerator, or the wall in the living room.  Pick pictures you love and you’ll smile every time you see it. 

If you have a bad case of spring fever and just need to get out of the house, check out our list of Fun and Free Things to Do with your Kids.  We’ve listed 19 ideas of free things you can do in and near Suburban Ramsey County.  Give them a try and let us know what you think.  And, if you have more ideas or suggestions for free things to do in our area, please send your ideas to us.