Hobbies And Interests
Take It Outside
If the weather permits, give the children a chance to get out of the house. You can go for a walk or play games in the yard. The children might enjoy games, such as hide-and-seek or red light green light. Ask the parents for permission to let the kids use sidewalk chalk to decorate the driveway. If you are asked to prepare a meal for the children while you are there, take a blanket into the backyard and have a picnic. In the winter, bundle the kids up and go outside to make snowmen, forts and snow angels.
Act It Out
Help the children create their own play and then have them act it out. You could act out their favorite stories or movies. For example, put on a soundtrack to their favorite Disney movie and play the parts as you sing along. Children will enjoy the chance to be creative and emulate their favorite characters. You can also play house or act out scenes with action figures.
Create a Work of Art
Bring crayons and colored pencils and allow the children to color in coloring books or draw their own pictures on blank paper. You can staple pictures or blank pages together to create a personalized coloring book for each child. You can also bring other craft supplies, such as construction paper and glue, and help the children create their own works of art. Modeling compound, like Play-Doh, is another option that will allow children to build colorful sculptures.
Read
In the evenings or just before bedtime, read to the children. Ask each one to bring you a favorite book to read and have a read-a-thon. You can also bring books from home that the children might not have seen before. If some of the children are old enough to read on their own, ask them to help you by reading some of the books to the others. This relaxing activity can help prepare the children for sleep or calm them down after an active game.
Play Board Games or Video Games
Have a game night with the children. Ask each to pick a favorite board game and spend time playing each game. You can even bring prizes along if you want to motivate the children to participate. Bring some board games from home as well. If board games aren't available, play age-appropriate video games with the children.