In our fast-paced world, it is easy to get caught up by the new technology. We sometimes spend much more time on our mobile devices than the times we spend playing with our kids.
Like most moms, I believe in the numerious benefits of playing with our children. Some experts say that play helps our kids be more creative, be a problem solver and it enhances their confidence level. If you’re a regular reader of my blog, palagi kong sinasabi na worth it palagi to “invest in our child’s core memories” and one of the great ways to build memories with our children is to sit on the floor with them, and be part of their world even just for a while.
“Carwashing”
Being a mom of a toddler boy, medyo energy-draining talaga, mas active play ang gusto ng boys compared to most little girls na pwede naka-upo lang kayo and pretend “tea time” play.
I also understand that some parents are busy, yayaless and working from home. That’s why we are not into activities and play ideas that involves a lot of “preparations”
Sharing with you our top 10 Free andย Easy play ideas that your little boys will definitely enjoy:
1.ย Kitchen Chef
get some pasta or beans available in your pantry and pretend play like you’re a customer and he is a chef.
ยToys from the kitchen ๐ “Pouring and Counting Beans” ๐ก #learnthroughplay #toddlerlove #toddleractivities #vitaminzee #counting #ruralliving #simpleliving A photo posted by Mommy Gracie (@graciemaulion) on Apr 13, 2016 at 7:38pm PDT
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2. Super Hero (cape)
– get your cape or use a shirt to make a cape for you and your child and pretend that you are superheroes by flying around the house.
3. Carwash the cars – get some of his toy cars, a soap and a foam, pretend like he is a carwasher. ย ย
4. Act out songs – our favorite is “Walking in the jungle” Jungle Run (piggy back ride) – carry your child at your back “act out the song together” you can wear a mask, head piece or just listen to the song and sing together while acting. Super enjoy ito for our kids mommies! ย
5. Blow some bubblesย – making bubbles is always a fun idea. Kahit tayong adults nag eenjoy sa bubbles di ba? Schedule a ” family date in the park” sit on the grass or even just outside your house and blow some bubbles.
ยA photo posted by Mommy Gracie (@graciemaulion) on Aug 22, 2015 at 8:59pm PDT
6. Hide in the blanket and read a bookย using a flash light
This is my son’s favorite thing to do before bedtime. It’s like camping indoor. Mas focus pa sya makinig sa story.
7. Make BBQ out of dry leaves
Walk around in the afternoon, gather some dried leaves and put them on a stick and pretend like you’re making ย “BBQ”
8. Music Feast Make everyday a music festival by singing and dancing together. (Download some nursery rhymes) Singing together is my son and husband’s favorite bonding together.
ยCarton Piano ๐น hihi! ๐ #vitaminzee #toddleractivities #diy A video posted by Mommy Gracie (@graciemaulion) on Mar 17, 2016 at 5:54am PDT
9. Tickle Fight! No materials needed, just stick your monster hands out and bring the tickle fight on! I assure you, this game will bring lots of laughs and you’ll surely end up enjoying this game too. ย
10. The Freestyle Play using the things around you. You set your own rule. Use your imagination. The sky is the limit.
ยSorting & Matching Game using his old baby socks ๐ Anlalim ng iniisip ha baby ๐ #homemadetoys #diy #recycle #totschooling #learnthroughplay #letthembelittle A photo posted by Mommy Gracie (@graciemaulion) on Oct 17, 2016 at 7:27pm PDT
I want to say “yes” to my child’s play invitation because I know “I am my child’s favorite toy”… dishes, house chores, emails can all wait.. it is up to us on how we are going to spend our time.
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A photo posted by Mommy Gracie (@graciemaulion) on Oct 27, 2016 at 7:40pm PDT
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What’s your favorite playtime activities with your little boy mga inays and mommies?ย
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I can super relate! My son is 3 and like you, we do a lot of playing most of time and I’m also trying to be creative sa play activities. We will try the bbq leaves since hindi pa namin nagagawa yun! Thanks for sharing this! :))
My personal favorite is the tickle fight with my son! Kaso ang laki na kasi ng tyan ko, oftentimes di ko na kaya makipagharutan ng ganun sa kanya lalo pa nasisipa nya yung tyan ko unintentionally. Kawawa naman ang baby sister nya. But nonetheles, I also try to play with him without gadgets involving or money being spent. The list you shared gave me more idea of the new activities we can do together. Thanks for sharing this! ๐
My children are my joy. The complete my being. I am blessed yo have them.
Thanks for these tips. I don’t get to play with my kids often because I prefer watching DVDs with them by my side . I guess it’s time for me to really allot a playtime with them.
Thanks for sharing these great ideas! I’m sure my daughter will love counting beans haha ๐
I’m the serious type of person and I don’t want messs in the house especially when I’m doing or finishing things. I had to greatly adjust when I became a mother of 2, now 3 boys. Especially when you are not in the mood and they want to act as silly as kids. You just have to join them. Is ee that they enjoy play when parents play with them. ๐
My kids are always saying they are bored but they are in their teens na lol.
Oh the dishes can truly wait. ๐ I think the only time that my house is truly clean is when the boys are sleeping. Hahaha! I love the gastos-free play as I’m a tipid mummy too. We’re fans of parks and playgrounds kasi we prefer Popy running around. He laughs so hard when he’s running which makes our hearts grow bigger. ๐
Playtime with the kids is priceless! I often end up not finishing my work at home because I was too busy playing or watching endless movies with the kids. But sometimes I let them play on their own to teach them not to be too clingy and to understand that I have other things that needs to be done.
Love all these ideas. You can buy them expensive gifts and yet they gravitate towards empty boxes and whatnot. LOL LOVE your photos!
galing galing natin
and grabe tayo sa imagination when it comes to giving joy to our kids
continue doing what u both love to do
I agree with all these gastos-free play ideas for our kids. Its always the quality vs the quantity that we give them. Id still prefer interacting with them than buting them expensive toys. Its priceless!
It really doesn’t matter what you play with as long as you and your child are having a fun moment… that’s all that matters. Great tipid plays you got here, mommy! We also do some of them.
Play doesn’t always mean buying toys. Its also about being creative. The important thing is that the kids will still learn while having fun ๐
After being a mom for the past 15 years, I’ve learned that it’s really the simple things that make young kids happy. While they might like expensive toys sometimes, the most enjoyable play time activities are the ones we do with them using the most simple things. ๐
These are great ideas! Boys especially love the superhero thing. ๐ Kids usually tire easily with toys so a variety of gastos-free is far better than one expensive toy.
I love how this post emphasize the non-importance of expensive toys and fancy playhouses. Aside from being creative, you just showed the world that the best time with children is spent with their parents. No amount of toys or playhouses can beat that. ๐
True, we don’t need to spend to have quality time with our kids. What’s really important is we’re there for them whenever they need us.
These suggestions remind me so much of Pablo’s first four years when he was all I had. The dynamics change when you have two additional kids and you need to maintain an 8-hour job. So these are still applicable, but your role changes to being part of the play to often times just being a spectator. Sad no?
We’ve been doing some of the play ideas here. You have a cute super hero.
My daughter and I usually bond in the kitchen. She loves concicting her ownsmoothies and sandwiches
I can relate! Parang walang kapaguran kapag lalaki talaga hahaha. We’ve done few on your list and will definitely try the others especially the “carwash” hehehe.
Mommy Gracie these are wonderful play time ideas..the barbecued leaves is quite adorable and gastos free indeed. I remember my favorite playtime and toy which is “putiK’ soil mixed with a bit of water. I would imagine baking cookies and molding the putik into one..haha. And after getting bored with it’s a fun time “putik batuhan” with my playmates..haha. The reality is simple things are pure bliss and you just nailed it as a mom. Kudos for being such a good mom who is willing to invest precious time with your kid. After all, no material thing can match moments shared with your loved ones.
Ang cute ni Zee ๐ yah nakakapagod makipaglaro sa knina but minsan lang sila maging bata kaya we have to make most out of it. We need to play with them and ride with their imaginations minsan lang yan ๐
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