Many parents are trying to reduce the amount of television their kids watch and spend more time together by doing more activities together.
It can be difficult to find things to do with the kids that everyone enjoys, particularly if there is an age difference between the kids.
Younger kids may not be able to read yet and older kids can get bored with easy games.
Here are 4 family activities that can be done by kids of any age.
Frosting Fun Items Needed: Cake decorating bags or plastic bags cake decorating tips frosting recipe or purchased frosting 9 inch round cake pans or pie tins wax paper marshmallows small candies Kids love to get messy and this is a great to have messy fun.
Lay out wax paper on a flat work surface and place a pie tin or round cake pan upside down on the paper.
This is the 'cake' that needs decorating.
Use cake decorating bags or plastic bags and cake decorating tips to decorate this cake with frosting.
Purchase white frosting and add food coloring to get any color in the rainbow.
Put a tip into the decorating bag, and then put in the frosting.
Gently squeeze the bag so the frosting comes out.
Decorate the 'cake' with frosting.
If they want to add more creative items add small marshmallows or other candies to create a masterpiece.
Build it UP - Knock it Down Dominoes can be used to create some pretty complex patterns and as kids get older the lines they create can become longer and taken on new shapes.
Beginners should concentrate on making a straight line, then move on to more difficult shapes such as curves.
Try to create a pattern that will form the first letter of their name when the dominoes are knocked down.
Expert builders can try to make a multi-level patterns by placing the dominoes on the floor, then on the stairs.
This activity does require a flat surface such as linoleum or wood flooring.
The dominoes tend to not stand on carpet very well.
Dominoes can also be stacked on top of each other to create little buildings that can be knocked over.
Once the basics have been mastered you can add other items such as marbles to the creation for some extra fun.
Encourage kids to keep trying and you may want to take pictures of the results.
Challenge your kids to make the longest line they can or to form a specific shape such as a circle.
This activity can become frustrating for younger children who do not have the small motor skills to accurately stand the dominoes on end without bumping into them so if it doesn't work out the first time they try you may need to wait and try again later.
Evolving Picture This activity can be done with kids of any age.
Everyone should sit in a circle so they can't see what the other players are drawing and the first person is given a piece of paper and a pencil.
They should draw three lines, straight or curved on the paper.
They should not try to make a picture, just draw the lines randomly on the paper.
Pass the paper to the next person who should draw three circles on the paper.
The other players should not watch what is being drawn.
The next person should add three squares and the next three triangles.
Each person who draws a shape should try to make a picture.
Keep passing the paper around until it gets back to the person who started and they can add three more lines.
Show the paper around so everyone can see what was drawn.
This game can be modified by giving each player a specific color of marker and asking them to add something to the paper that would normally come in the color of marker they are given.
An example would be grass for green, apple for red, basketball for orange, sky for blue, sun for yellow etc.
Give the players a theme if desired to help guide their ideas.
Be creative and combine the two games for added fun.
Bread Sculpture This activity doesn't require any skill with baking; just use the frozen bread dough available at grocery stores.
Defrost the dough if it is frozen and follow package directions to allow it to rise.
Punch the dough down and then separate it into chunks for each child.
Flour a flat work surface and let them use their imagination to create a sculpture from the dough.
They can make animals by forming a body, legs and a head from the dough.
Once they are finished shaping the dough mix food coloring and water for them to 'paint' their creations.
Allow the dough to rise again and then bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
Once the creations are finished they are ready to eat.
If you enjoyed these ideas stop by Creative Kids to see many more samples of fun and fast games, crafts, science experiments and family activities.