My husband and I have to work out entertainment on a very tight budget. I have two little boys, age 5 and 3. When my boys get the stir crazies, we take a walk to the closest park in the neighborhood. On the way, we use it as a learning experience. We look for special shapes, colors, textures, etc. There are endless possibilities to this game that we play on the way to the park. We play for a while and then we walk a different route home.
This is one of many different ways we get rid of the stir crazy boys. I hope this suggestion helps a lot. We save lots of money by doing it and they also get a learning experience as well.
By Lisa from Pekin, IL
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Now, this is a thrifty and healthy tip. Betcha less savvy folks would be tempted to dose your perfectly normal boys with Ritalin. (Shudder!) Hubby was what would today have been diagnosed ADHD, his mom's antidote was hard work. That's how kids should be, active, especially boys.
Oops. Forgot to say, walking is good for Mom and Dad, too. :D
Excellent idea to get your darling boys used to nature's beauty, in all seasons! Another thing you might consider is bringing small bags to pick up litter (with gloves!). Discuss each piece picked up, talk about whether or not it could be recycled, what the person who littered the piece might have used for an "excuse" to litter, how it might harm the surrounding habitat, soil, or water (depending on where you find it), etc. Getting youngsters to love the earth and take care of it is always a good thing! Keep up the good work!
Great idea. Listening for sounds is another great way to learn on a walk, and helps those little ones practice using their "listening ears" that they'll need in school! When you hear a sound you'd like your child/ren to notice, first bring their attention to it, then ask them to be quiet and listen (and you need to model quiet listening, if you talk while you are supposed to be listening with them, they will learn that you are supposed to talk while listening, not something we want them to learn!) for about 10-15 seconds or so, then identify the sound, and then the most fun part, trying to imitate the sound! This can incorporate movement as you, for example, both flap your wings and chirp like the bird you just heard. Have fun!
Thanks for the ideas, maybe we will try the listening game tomorrow. I love that idea. Believe it or not, there is little to no garbage on the way to school. Maybe we will do that on the longer walks we take after dinner. We already do discuss recycling, but never thought of introducing what would happen if we did not. Good ideas everyone.
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| Put The Kids On And Go For A Walk |
Got kids? Don't waste money on a gym membership for fitness!
Pick them up (or put them on, like in this picture) and go for a long walk. My husband takes his firefighter's agility test (which one must have great cardiovascular health to pass), and he does it better and faster every year although he's getting older every year!
By Emily from RI
What a cute photo. Great idea. Those lil ones are sure cute. Hubby does not look old. I have been walking with my doggie, I think I will borrow my friend's baby for walks too. She will get to rest, I will get exercise and baby will get fresh air. Thank you. (02/25/2009)
Excellent idea, I should let my fitness class know about this ;-) (11/29/2009)
By Spencer
