Need Quality Time with Preschooler Ideas

[IfIOnly]

I'd to carve out some time each week to spend with my 3.5 year old daughter.  She doesn't mind too much being left out of school, activities, and working with dad which because of age and ability her brothers get to do, but I want something special she can look forward to, as well. We have story time before her nap each day, and she gets to pick the book.  She helps me in the kitchen and cooking too, which she really enjoys as all my kids did at that age, but what else is there to do with a young girl, preferably outside the house?  I really can't think of anything, except story time at the library or swimming together.  I'm not really all that excited about exposing my atrophied body in public though, but I may suck it up.  Thoughts?  Thanks!

Edited January 25, 2016 by ifIonlyhadabrain

[TechWife]

Go for walks

Play with her at a park

Take her to museums

[IfIOnly]

Go for walks

Play with her at a park

Take her to museums

 

These are great.

 

I hadn't considered doing something that could include her brothers but didn't, but that does open up possibilities. Besides running errands and shopping when I take one child to spend some quality time with, everyone's usually invited if they they can be around here, if that makes sense. 

Edited January 25, 2016 by ifIonlyhadabrain

[lovinmyboys]

I play a game with my 3yr old almost everyday. I don't really have the option usually of taking just him somewhere, but around here I would do:

Gymnastics open play

Bounce house

Zoo

Children's edutainment center

Children's museum

Aquarium

Story time

Park

[Guest]

Go for a walk.  Take with you a notebook (small, pocket sized) and write in it at least Three Things I Have Never Seen Before.  

 

Those were the best walks we ever did, and we both looked forward to him.  Note:  Do not start with 50 Things I Have Never Seen Before.  THAT is a long walk!!!

 

We also had a game of marbles we loved to play together.  I can't tell you the rules because we made them different all the time.  Half the fun was in choosing the marbles and analyzing our choices.

 

I would say that if you make it a BIG thing, you won't get to do it weekly, so finding something that can be done weekly that you both look forward to is the key.  

(:::scurries off to find marbles.  wonders if 20yo will play when he gets home from work:::)

 

[IfIOnly]

Lovinmyboys, what games do you play with your child?  I think something like that for her to look forward to would be great.   

[IfIOnly]

Go for a walk.  Take with you a notebook (small, pocket sized) and write in it at least Three Things I Have Never Seen Before.  

 

Those were the best walks we ever did, and we both looked forward to him.  Note:  Do not start with 50 Things I Have Never Seen Before.  THAT is a long walk!!!

 

We also had a game of marbles we loved to play together.  I can't tell you the rules because we made them different all the time.  Half the fun was in choosing the marbles and analyzing our choices.

 

I would say that if you make it a BIG thing, you won't get to do it weekly, so finding something that can be done weekly that you both look forward to is the key.  

 

(:::scurries off to find marbles.  wonders if 20yo will play when he gets home from work:: :)

 

You know, just walking around our cul de sac while she rides her trike would be really fun for her. I really don't get outside much, so she doesn't get to ride her bike as much as she would like. However, we do have a nice big back yard, so she does go outside and play.  I'm really glad you posted. Thank you!!

[Spryte]

We don't always get out, but we play games.  A lot of them.  Right now the big hit is Lost Puppies by Peaceable Kingdom, but any of their games are excellent.  We also play around with school stuff - HWOT, Shiller Math (lots of manipulatives, and I just happen to have it on hand for my little math-crazed girl), and we used to get 
"school boxes" from Mother Goose Time.  Those were technically preschool curriculum but we mostly did the crafts and games.  Fun times.  Walks, playground trips. Zoo, museums.  But most outings involve her big brother so it's not one on one time.  Our one on one time is mostly games and activities, crafts, and books.

 

Oh!  And sidewalk chalk when it's warm enough.  We do a lot of sidewalk art!

Edited January 25, 2016 by Spryte

[TechWife]

These are great.

 

I hadn't considered doing something that could include her brothers but didn't, but that does open up possibilities. Besides running errands and shopping when I take one child to spend some quality time with, everyone's usually invited if they they can be around here, if that makes sense. 

 

Yes, pretty much anything you can do with all of your children can also be done with one child! 

 

 

 

I would say that if you make it a BIG thing, you won't get to do it weekly, so finding something that can be done weekly that you both look forward to is the key.  

 

(:::scurries off to find marbles.  wonders if 20yo will play when he gets home from work:: :)

 

Yes - don't make it a big thing, otherwise you might not end up doing things - time and money have a way of preventing things sometimes! 

 

Patty Joanna - let us know if he wants to play when he gets home  :laugh: .

 

As for games - we played Hi Ho Cherry-O and Trouble a lot. As he grew we added Clue Jr, Monopoly Jr and a few others that are similar. Basically, all of the classic board games! 

[lovinmyboys]

We have lots of games because that is what we enjoy doing. We have gotten some really good ones at thrift stores, so I am not sure they are all still in print but here is a list:

Yahtzee jr

Flippity find

Don't wake daddy

Busytown and other wonder forge games

Froggy boogie and other blue orange games

Zingo and other Thinkfun games

Hiss and other Gamewright games

Ladybug game

Sequence for kids

Ravensburger preschool games

Peaceable Kingdom games