It’s not always easy to find activities that both my son and I genuinely love. Sometimes, only one of us is fully into it—like baking. He’s there for about 10 minutes, then vanishes until the cake is ready to eat. Or role-playing, where he’s excited but keeps giving me confusing directions every 10 seconds. We both make an effort, but sometimes the spark just isn’t there.
Thankfully, we’ve found some activities that work for both of us, and they’ve become our favorites:
1. Exploration Adventures
We pack a snack, grab some random gear he calls his exploration kit, and head out. These outings can be as big as an “expedition” or as small as walking just one block. Most of the time we walk but sometimes we take our bikes and go further. The magic is in looking at everything: flowers, leaves, bugs, or interesting buildings.
Sometimes, we set a theme like finding something specific (e.g., flowers, a heart-shaped rock, or monsters). Most of the time, we just talk.
We both like to come home with keepsakes, I take pictures while he collects little treasures—mementos I’ll probably find scattered around the house for the next 20 years
2. Beauty Salon or Doctor
This one is fun and can be relaxing! I lie on the sofa while he plays the doctor or beautician and “takes care of me.” As you can imagine, he’s never been to a beauty salon, so the treatments are a bit out there. They include randomly stroking my face with makeup brushes, applying handcream to my face like it’s a scrub, brushing my teeth, taking my temperature.
- Safety First: I’m mindful of what he uses—no sharp objects or risky liquids. I stick to safe tools like makeup pads, baby micellar water, and those rolling beauty tools I never use.
- Why It Works: It’s playful and imaginative, and we both laugh at his creative ideas and interpretation of what a doctor or a beautician does.
3. Painting and Drawing Together
An obvious choice, but still one of our favorites. Sometimes, we paint freely, and other times, we like to work on the same thing.
- Our Dynamic: I might start and let him copy me, or he starts, and I follow. It’s a great way to create something side-by-side and stay connected.
- Why It Feels Special: This has helped me reconnect with drawing like when I was a child again. Kids don’t stare at a blank page wondering what to draw—they just do it. It’s amazing and a little scary.
4. Gardening
No garden? No problem. We planted basil seeds in a small pot a couple of weeks ago, and I remind him to keep the soil damp (when I remember). So far, the basil is still alive! It’s always fun to get your hands dirty, at least for the kids, and see something you planted grow.
Last year, we planted strawberry plants, which are also thriving. Gardening doesn’t have to be big to be rewarding—it’s about the little moments. And the strawberries.
5. Lego Creations
We both prefer skipping the instruction booklets that come with new Lego packs. Instead, we create whatever he requests or create our challenge by grabbing a handful of Lego pieces and see what we can make with them. It’s a fun and creative challenge. We all know that constraints make you more creative.
6. Science Experiments
Now that he’s older, science experiments have become a hit in our house. They might get a little chaotic and require some prep work, but here’s the trick: you can turn all that fun into an easy way to spruce up your kitchen!
- Our Tools: We snagged a thrifted kids’ chemistry kit for just 3 bucks, and it’s been a gem! So far, we’ve nailed baking soda volcanoes, and although our attempts at growing crystals haven’t succeeded yet, we’re determined to crack it. Don’t worry if you don’t have a kit—you only need a cup, some baking soda, and vinegar to get started.
- The Cleanup Bonus: Here’s the real magic—take the leftover baking soda and vinegar from your experiment and let it do the hard work! The fizzing reaction is fantastic for scrubbing down oven trays, sinks, or countertops. It’s an activity that’s equal parts entertaining and practical.
Activity 7: Balloon Challenge
A simple but surprisingly effective favorite! Grab an inflatable balloon and see who can keep it from touching the floor. You might need to shift the furniture around and watch out for sharp corners, but trust me, it’s worth it and a great workout.
This game isn’t just a hit with us—it’s a top choice for my son when he’s playing with his grandparents. My mom swears it’s a great way to sneak in some exercise for my dad. What I’ve seen is two 70-year-olds channeling their inner kids, laughing uncontrollably. Their joy? It’s pure magic—a balm for the soul.
I’m not giving up on baking just yet! The long process can bore him, but we’ll find ways to make it work by choosing simpler, faster recipes like smoothies, decorating cookies, or assembling fruit skewers. Focusing on the parts he enjoys most—like decorating or tasting.
These activities remind me that it’s about finding that balance—choosing things we both enjoy or making tweaks to ensure we’re having fun together. As he grows, I’m sure our list will evolve, but for now, these moments are some of our favorites.