Fun & Easy After-School Activities
You’re not alone if you don’t know what to do with the kids after school. Many families depend on television, computers and video games to keep the kids busy, but there are far more productive and fun ways for them to spend their time. Playing games, learning a new skill, or playing a backyard sport is a good way to get your kids active. In this article, we’ll talk about some after-school activities that your kids can participate in, such as an after school club.
Kids spend most of their school day sitting doing creative activities and seat work, so after-school activities that get them moving is essential to good health. Kids spending too much time watching TV and sitting in front of the computer can lead to childhood obesity. If a league or other organized sport is not an option, then start your own team with the neighborhood kids. A little competitiveness is always fun and playing sports is an excellent way to teach kids about cooperation and team spirit. Try organizing a bean relay race. You’ll need some dried beans, empty cans and drinking straws. Distribute one straw and two or three beans to each player. Place the cans on chairs about 20 feet in front of each group. The game is played in relay race style. The first person in line begins by sucking a bean up on the end of a straw. He/she then walks or runs to the can and lets the bean drop into the can. As soon as he/she returns to the line, the next person goes. Each person in line gets 2-3 chances to go. The person with the most beans in the can wins.
Arts and kids crafts can introduce children to a wide range of subjects like art, music, science and nature. You’ll be able to find countless ideas on the Internet. To teach your kids how to tell time, have them make clock-face place mats with moving pipe cleaner parts. All you need is some construction paper, a marker, and some pipe cleaners. Want to share your love of gardening? Have the kids grow a bean sprout in a paper cup. Or, combine cooking and science by making homemade ice cream!
Filling kids with nutritious food is as important to child development as making sure they get enough physical activity. However, getting them to eat what’s good for them can be mission impossible! It helps to have your children participate in building a healthy menu for the family. Homemade granola bars are a healthy treat and making them teaches kids how to follow a recipe and introduces them to measurements. In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 cups of quick cooking rolled oats, a can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup of wheat germ, 3/4 cup natural bran, 1/2 cup of oat bran and 1/2 cup of melted margarine. If you wish, you can also add a handful of raisins, nuts, shredded coconut, or your favorite dried fruit. For a sweeter treat, add chocolate chips. Press the mixture into a metal baking sheet and bake in a 375 degree over for about 15-20 minutes. When it’s cool, cut it into bars and serve with milk or juice.
After-school activities are more than a way to keep your kids occupied; it teaches them skills that they may not learn at school, it gives them the chance to socialize with other children, and it gives you something to do as a family. Giving them the experience of being exposed to new things broadens their horizons and will help in perpetuating student achievement.
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