Playing with parents is a beloved activity for children as it serves as their most natural form of communication. Through play, children acquire knowledge, practise essential skills for later stages of life, and address their fears and worries. Play acts as a medium for children to express their thoughts and emotions effectively, demonstrating their desire to connect with adults. While adults rely on conversation, scheduled meetups, or shared experiences like watching a movie or taking a walk to foster connections, children opt for play to cultivate relationships. Therefore, incorporating moments of shared play in our daily lives is valuable for strengthening the parent-child bond. 

But what if we don't like to play with children too much because we're just overwhelmed and tired with our daily responsibilities? It's understandable that we may not always enjoy playing with children as much as we'd like to. The constant repetition of certain activities, like putting blocks together, can become tiresome. Additionally, trying to fit our playtime into a specific mould, such as sensory play, can add to the pressure.

However, it's still possible to find activities that appeal to both us and our child. The key is to prioritise engaging with the child, rather than focusing on the exact nature of the activity. Fun and valuable moments can be found in various forms. The important thing is to make time to play with your child and cherish those moments, rather than worrying about how our playtime should look like.

 How to Turn Regular Activities into Play:

1. Toothbrushing competition

Turn toothbrushing into a game by setting a timer for 2 minutes and making it a race to see who can brush their teeth first. And you can reward your children with a sticker after each successful toothbrushing process.

2. Dinner time

Make eating an adventure by creating a story about the food on your plate. Give your child a chance to create a character in the story about their dinner and make it fun. Encouraging them to think creatively about their food can spark their curiosity and a desire to try new things.

3. Pyjama party

Make a "putting on clothes" game out of getting ready for bed. Turn off the lights, and use flashlights to find the stickers on pyjamas or beds. This game can help make changing time a fun and fresh experience.

4. Driving lessons

Make the drive a learning experience by creating games for your child. Make sure to spot things you pass in the car and ask your child to help you out. You can look for certain colours or count the red signs you see.

5. Washing Hands

Sing your way through hand washing time by creating a song that helps your kid learn how to wash correctly. It's a great practice as well as a fun role-playing activity that can keep the germs away.

6. Bathtime

Use the water time to blast off on your imagination into uncharted spaces or oceans. You can play the role of an astronaut who battles against aliens and use a washcloth as a superhero cape. This creates a fun and relaxing bonding time too.

7. Fold Laundry

Make folding laundry fun by having a race or making it into a sorting game. See who can fold five t-shirts the fastest or who can match the most socks. You can also have a "fold a towel in 10 seconds" game that your child will love.

8. Clean up

Cleaning can be dull for adults, but it can be really fun for kids if you make it into a game. You can turn it into a scavenger hunt game or hide-and-seek game where the kids have to find five misplaced toys and put them back in the right place.

How Can we Change our Words

1. Avoid "I am leaving now" messages

Which child wants to go home when having fun on the playground? Instead, let's say, "Do you want to set the timer for four or five minutes? When the alarm rings, we're going home". You can also try, "It's time to go! Are we back flying like parrots or jumping like kangaroos?”.

2. Reduce "We have to go now" messages

Getting out of the door is a hassle for most parents. How do you turn this tiresome time into an exciting game? Try bringing the action to life by challenging your child to make it to the door by beating your countdown time. You can say, "I bet you can't make it to the door before I count to 10!" This type of game plays to their competitiveness and gets them excited about leaving.

3. Replace “Don’t run” messages

Don't let your child's energy go to waste; channel it to productivity through various physical activities instead of the message "don’t run" or “stay still”. When kids are feeling restless, suggest games that involve them standing on one leg, helping you with a new yoga pose or doing toe-touches. You can also host a mini race or play Red Light, Green Light Game. 

4. Replace “I am counting to three” messages

If your child is not listening, avoid screaming or fuming, try playing a catchy tune and singing, "Let's dance". Changing routines and adding a musical element will break your child's inattention, and you will have them singing before you even know it.

Don't be afraid to leave boring and monotonous routines behind. By adding some fun games like exercises and challenges during every-day activities, you can turn them into enjoyable bonding moments. At this young age is the perfect time to explore and experiment with various games. If you're struggling to find ways to make life more fun for your kids, consider trying the suggestions above. Remember that the goal is for both you and your child to have a great time while learning and growing together.