Activities for Dads and Children

As a loving and caring father, there are many activities that you can get involved in, with your child. You can choose the activity according to your child's age. Getting involved in activities has two major benefits. It helps you to develop a better, warmer and more affectionate bond with your child. Also, it can give your partner some much wanted rest. Check out some of the activities that we have listed to help you get started. Remember that you can add more activities to the list.

0 to 2 Year Old

• Offer to help your partner feed the baby. You may not be able to help during the breast feeding stage. But you can certainly have your fair share when the baby starts formula and solid food.
• Take turns with mum in changing the baby's diapers and giving him a bath.
• Join your partner when she gives your child a bath.
• Tell him stories of your childhood or read out stories to him.
• Give him a piggy back ride or a ride on your shoulders.

3 to 5 Year Old

• Take your child for a bike ride and you may be surprised at how happy it can make him.
• If you love gardening, give him a small bucket with little water in it. Ask him to help you water the plants.
• Make night time special, by reading out stories to him.
• Enjoy watching your child's favourite cartoons with him. You can get him started on a discussion about it after the cartoon is over.
• Spend some time alone with your child. This need not be staying at home with your child. You can take him for a trip to the nearby park or a visit to the zoo.
• Try helping him construct a building with his building blocks set. You will enjoying seeing the little architect's creativity.
• Help him go down the road in front of your house on his tricycle.
• Give your child a bath. Spend some time together in the bath tub and have fun.
• Play simple games such as running and catching, hide and seek with your child. You can also have a pillow fight with him.
• Make a bubble solution using the dish washing solution. Get hold of a couple of straws and blow bubbles along with your child on a sunny day.

6 to 12 Year Old

• Help your child do his homework and assist him in completing the projects assigned to him.
• Attend his parent-teacher meeting at school to know about his progress.
• Play age-appropriate games with him. There are many games in leading toy shops that can help your child gain knowledge as well. Scrabble is a good example for slightly older children.
• Encourage him to join you in your chores such as gardening and washing the car.
• Teach him to ride a bicycle.
• Join your child in completing his jigsaw puzzles or a craft activity.
• Take photographs of your child. Most children like posing in front of the camera. Also ask him to take a few snaps of yourself.
• Get your child to read out stories to you. After he finishes his story, you can read out another story to him.
• Enjoy a solitary walk with your child in your garden or one of those less crowded roads in your colony. You can also take him to a park, zoo or museum.
• Play some video games with your child. You may consider deliberately losing the game at times. Also consider taking him out for a movie appropriate for his age.
• Organise weekend outings and vacations. You can consider taking your child to different places for each vacation. You can make the weekend outings fun by planning for a picnic.
• Play games like cricket, football, tennis and so on with your child. Your child will even enjoy playing with a simple Frisbee as long as he has you for company.

What can be a better way to relax yourself other than helping your child with an activity after a tiring day at work? Helping your child can refresh you and your child will also be happy to have your company.