Take time to be a dad today!
Here are some ideas for easy, free or low-cost ways to spend quality time with your kids. Use the filter on the left to find activities appropriate for your children's ages.
Work through your list of home improvement chores together and show your children how to repair household items.
Terribly Funny
Do you know what the loudest pet is?
A trumpet.
Take the back of a pizza box, or an empty cardboard box and make it a canvas for an art project that you do together. You would be surprised what creative projects you and your child can come up with using the things that end up in the recycle bin. You and your child can make a sail boat out of a plastic bowl, a pencil, some tape and a scrap of paper. Your young child will be excited at bath time when they realize something that they made actually floats in the bathtub.
My daughter thinks it is hilarious when I try to do her hair, but she loves that I try regardless of the result. If your sons are too young to shave like mine, they will have a blast putting on shaving cream and pretending to shave alongside dad in the mirror.
Today, all kinds of people, especially youth and kids love taking selfies. Try taking selfies with your children before they get on the bus, leave for school, or any time of the day. They will love it and it is a time for you to be silly together.
Spend some time enjoying the comforts of home with your kids. Build a blanket fort, play board games, or read a book together. Board games especially can be a great way to build math and reading skills with younger kids while having fun! See this list of the Best Educational Board Games for Kids for some recommendations.
Explore your creative sides with some low-cost projects, such as these craft and activity ideas from PBS. Ideas include yarn snowballs and a do-it-yourself snow globe. You can also put a fun twist on an old classic and help your kids make their own snowflakes. Here are 30 ideas for bringing the outdoors in with snowflake crafts. Many only require everyday household items, such as coffee filters, paper towels, or dryer sheets.
Do the kids have a snow day? This can be a great opportunity for them to get some exercise and be active even if it’s cold out. Build a snowman together, go sledding, or make snow angels! Then come inside and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. For these activities and more ideas, see 12 Great Outdoor Winter Activities for Kids from the Appalachian Mountain Club. Just be sure to bundle up!
Winter is a good time to experiment with different meals, hot drinks, and even some baked goods. Snowman pancakes and cut-out sandwiches are great recipes to try out with your kids. Make sure to take a look at Choose My Plate's Winter Resources for tips on keeping winter meals healthy.
Each school is a little bit different, and each grade has its own challenges and benefits. From Pre-K to college, NRFC offers a number of homework help tips and resources to help you and your kids make it through the school year together.
The CDC's "Amazing" Books for Children can help. They're fun for your child, but also help you track their development as you move through the series, making them educational for you both!
Whether it is you or your child who has the sweet tooth, you both will be having a sweet time making this treat together.
Terribly Funny
Do you know what the loudest pet is?
A trumpet.