Fun Activities for Children

Although most parents and guardians of young children may be exhausted by the time their children get home from school, the children usually have plenty of energy left. Filling the hours between school and bedtime can be tricky — especially now that it’s getting dark outside before we can even get dinner on the table. It is easy for young children to zone out in front of their tablet or a television screen, but everyone knows that giving children too much screen time is detrimental to their health and development. If you are looking for ways to keep your kids busy after school, there are many options. Whether your little one is the artistic type and would enjoy a project like diamond painting for kids or they're bursting with energy and need an activity that's more physical in nature, options exist for everyone. Here are a few of the best, at-home, after-school activities to occupy your children's time.

Complete a Diamond Painting Kit

Diamond painting is the perfect after-school activity for the artist in your household. It's easy enough for kids of all ages to enjoy on their own and is also an excellent project to work on together as a family. Featuring designs that range from from cuddly, calico kittens to mystical, fire-breathing dragons, diamond art kits come with everything your child needs to construct sparkling works of art they will be proud to display in their room. 

Encouraging your child to take up diamond painting is beneficial for several reasons. First, this project doesn't require any prior knowledge or skills and mistakes can easily be corrected! The kits allow anyone to make beautiful art and experience a sense of accomplishment. It's a relaxing hobby, too, that can help your child unwind at the end of a long day of school. Diamond painting can improve fine motor skills, enhance focus and even boost your son or daughter's self-esteem. Once your kid is bitten by the diamond painting bug, they'll have a new favourite after-school activity!

Play Board or Card Games

With technology at your fingertips 24/7, it is easy to forget about classic afternoon activities like playing board and card games. Sure, video games are loads of fun, but they are no substitution for the pure joy that comes from spending time around the dining room table playing games and interacting face-to-face. Introduce your family to your favourite games from your childhood — like Life, Candy Land and Sorry — or try something brand new. There are tons of family board games and card games on the market. Whether you have toddlers, tweens, or even teens, playing games is a fun way to pass the time and make memories.

Make Tie-Dyed Shirts

Tie-dyed shirts never go out of style, and making these brightly coloured tees is an excellent after-school activity. With some plain white t-shirts, a tie-dye kit and a bit of creativity, your kid can create wearable art they'll love showing off to their classmates. Decide on a work area, and cover the surface with a plastic tablecloth or trash bags. Get your kids changed into old clothes, give them some gloves and you're ready to go. Read the instructions included with your kit carefully to avoid mistakes. Then, let your kid’s creativity run wild!

Go Outside and Play

You probably grew up playing outside with your friends after school. Why not give your children the same experience? Gather up some neighbourhood kids with their parents' permission, of course for a game of tag or hide and seek before the sun sets. Your kids will get some exercise while forming bonds with their peers.

Make Ice Cream in a Bag

There's no better snack than ice cream on a warm afternoon. Help your child prepare their favourite treat by showing them how to make ice cream in a bag. Part recipe and part science experiment, this activity is one that your kid is sure to love! Check out the full tutorial from this website!

Create a Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts are fun for kids of all ages, and they don't have to be challenging to set up. First, decide whether the hunt will take place inside or outside or both. From there, you can either create clues to lead your child from one spot to the next to find a larger "treasure," or come up with a list of objects for them to locate. If you need some inspiration, there are plenty of scavenger hunt ideas online. When you have more than one child, have them make scavenger hunts for each other. It's an excellent way for kids to bond and build fun memories that will last a lifetime. And you might even get to enjoy some peace and quiet while they entertain one another!

Make Movies

If you have a child who is around 10 or older, they are probably more adept at using smartphones and tablets than the adults in the household. Put those skills to good use by encouraging them to make movies. Have them try out different types of stop-motion, live action or animated storytelling. With a smartphone or tablet and free video editing software, your kid can be on their way to being the next big movie director.

Prepare Dinner Together

Children love cooking with their parents. And, involving your child in dinner preparation teaches them valuable life skills. Instead of shooing your family out of the kitchen when making a meal, encourage them to lend a hand. Have them help with things like measuring, chopping ingredients, stirring, etc. As they get older and hone their skills, they may even decide they want to take over dinner duties once in a while.

Whether you help your children get crafty with a diamond art kit, teach them how to cook, or encourage them to try any of the other activities above, keeping your children busy after school doesn't have to be difficult. Try something new to make those hours between school and bedtime more fun for the entire family.

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