Being a former elementary and middle school teacher, I like to try and fit in learning experiences with the kids without them even knowing it. These are ideas you can do with your kids all the time and they will be having fun, spending quality time with you, and be learning as well.
Kids learn by example, and if you set the example that reading is important then it will be for them. Reading on a regular basis correlates to higher test scores and a more extensive vocabulary. Libraries are a great resource, and shopping and looking around bookstores is fun as well. Also, check out what this teacher says about reading nightly.
This is a fun game you can play with the kids while in the car (and I’ve been spending a lot of time driving on vacations and to and from activities). Practice letters, colors, shapes, reading, math, etc. Example: I spy the letter D (Dunkin’ Donuts). How many do you see? (2). I spy a white triangle (sail on the Chelo’s sign). How many people are on the sign? (4).
Cooking is fun, and kids can learn a lot from measuring, mixing, and baking. Math and science skills can be practiced by discussing and measuring ingredients, seeing what happens when things are mixed together, learn what different amounts of ingredients can do, and even dividing up amounts (cupcakes into groups).
Plan educational field trip for the kids! They think they are just getting out of the house and doing something fun on the weekend. Children’s Museums, Aquariums, Zoos, Nature Centers, and Historic Sites are all great places to take the kids.
While my parents were watching my kids recently, they took them to the Hidden Pond Nature Center and The Air and Space Museum. My kids found both of them to be so much fun (and very educational). My kids also love learning about history. We visited the Smith Castle in North Kingstown, RI recently, and they learned so much! Field trips are so much fun for the kids; they don’t even realize they are learning!
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We always did this with our kids and I wish I had little ones back in our lives I miss it. Kids grow up too quickly.
Love these! We always have a quiet reading time alone too where my son “reads” to himself and my daughter just throws books around and listens to her brother “read”. I’m amazed at the stories he starts telling her and am so proud of his growing imagination. I also love doing at least one craft a week with them.
Great tips! We do something to I-Spy – more like word find. Like find the word “the” in the sign. I think even reading mundane things like bathroom signs for “men” and “women” are fun for kids just learning how to read.
Oh boy I spend a lot of time reading with my toddler every day – she LOVES it! We also have fun dancing together and going for walks outside. She points at everything wanting to know what it is 🙂
My boy absolutely LOVES us to read to him!! We’ve been reading since the day he was born. But..we actually do all the things you listed above!! He’s quite the little sponge. 😉
I love love this post. I have such a passion for reading to children and for teaching in every day moments. There is so much to learn and talk about with every book you read and with everything ou do and it can all be fun!
We go on lots of vacations hiking to see nature and to lots of zoos and museums. But I find that even a walk around our neighborhood can be just as educational and fun. But who doesn’t like a little variety?
Even though my daughter is only 2, we cook together quite frequently. She loves to help measure and dump ingredients in a bowl. We also read together every night. She gets to pick 3 books and usually I will read them to her and she’ll “read” them to me. I’m amazed at how well she retains the story lines!
We read together, but I would love to add in more of the others. They are all great tips, and I love them all. Thanks so much♥
Very good tips. LOVE this post. Teaching and learning are never ending with children. We love to draw with markers on the bathroom mirror. Makes learning fun.
Love all these tips! I’m fortunate that my mom was very involved when we were young and did all of these things with me and my siblings.
Great tips! I loved playing ISpy!!
I love cooking with kids! They learn so much: measuring, counting and more.. Love this post.
I need you to guest post on the activities with kis – love all your ideas
Haha- I am heading to Learn all about it tonight! Great tips! I love reading to both kids every night!
We are SO into books right now. All G wants us to do is read to her. I love it and we get to snuggle too! Off to DC next week to check out the zoo and aquarium! 🙂
Love being with my kids! They’re growing into great readers – partly because daddy and I are both always buried in the pages (or the ipad version) of a book! Thanks for the ideas for spending time with our kids!
Those are great tips! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Great tips! We homeschool our kids and I always say that kids are always learning. We teach them day in and day out without even realizing it. So many learning opps just in your every day life.
this is awesome! My husband got me that butterfly habitat 2 years ago for my birthday. I loved it and so did my boys! Best science project ever!!
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Awesome post. I love the field trip idea.
I love these tips! It’s always nice to find new ways to educate your children through fun and exciting activities!