Your 6-Year-Old: Playing together

Playing together

If your child's getting bored with the same old games and outside activities, it's time to use your imagination to get her active again. Of course you want her to be able to play alone or with friends, and it's not your responsibility to be her best playmate. But sometimes adding a little extra mommy-and-me (or daddy-and-me) time provides more benefits than you might imagine.

Your 6-year-old now
The best parent-child playtime ideas do double-duty. For instance, putting on favorite tunes and dancing while you do chores together accomplishes two things – burning off energy and getting the housework done.

Try one of these other ideas to help kids' bodies and minds grow.

•Organize a regular parent-child neighborhood kickball game. Kids love to hang with the grown-ups, and the game will encourage social skills (playing fair, following rules, speaking politely to elders).

•Encourage map-reading skills by drawing a route to the swimming pool or park where you can hike or ride bikes.

•Create an obstacle course, and then direct your child – over, under, to the left, hop, crawl. This challenge will help with coordination, following directions, and language.

•Plan a treasure hunt – in the house or yard. Kids can help write or read the clues. The more circuitous the route, the more exercise you'll get in.

•Try to beat the clock (this will work with any activity). Kids love to race and will do something over and over (and get their heart rate up) to see if they can better their time.
Your life now
Spirituality is a major contributor to child happiness, studies have found. Whatever your beliefs, starting early to instill them helps provide your child with a sense of security and a moral code to steer by as she grows.