Parenthood can be the most exciting period for couples. But it also depends on what you make out of it. A correct mindset helps shape the right attitudes towards raising your little ones, and it all starts when they are in their formative years. While certain activities can be seemingly routine, there are ways you can spice them up and make ordinary events… well, extraordinary!
Think you’re reaching a parenting plateau? Fret not, we’re here to up your ante! Here are 5 creative ways to jazz up the journey for memories that will last your little ones a lifetime.
1. Organise a grocery store scavenger hunt with your kiddos!
Trips to the supermarket have just gotten better. Got a laundry list of grocery items to buy for the week? Gamify the usual shopping trip into a scavenger hunt for the kids! Give them a list of items to get, then set a time limit for them to search the aisles. The winner gets a treat of their choice! Not only does this activity help to make grocery shopping more exciting for the family, but you also help nurture their cognitive skills while navigating a real-life “adult” moment.
If a big supermarket gets your kiddos frazzled or flustered, you can give a list based on specific aisles so that it’s easier to monitor their movements. And if they start to get cranky and misbehave, you can also swoop in quickly to handle their playfulness and misbehavior.
Grocery store shopping is a multi-dimensional experience for the little ones to pick up developmental skills beneficial in their formative years. Image from Gustavo Fring.
2. Make a curated Snack Box with their favourite food at least once a week!
Snack boxes can be a comforting meal for your little ones when they’re away at school. As parents, you’re responsible for making sure your little kiddos are nourished and to teach them how to consume consciously. To bring greater meaning to your meal preps, we suggest a healthy proportion of at least one fruit and one vegetable per day.
Snack boxes have become popular over the last decade.
To get them looking forward to a “new menu” each week, ask them to suggest new fruits or vegetables! You could also give them a theme to follow: Tropical or Mediterranean, they’ve got a say! You can even go by continents — for example, fruits and vegetables native to Southeast Asia, Australia, North America, or Europe can help them expand their knowledge and palate. For the experimental mini gastronomist, try the more “unconventional” fruits such as figs, dates, persimmons, dragonfruits, lychees, jackfruits, mangosteen, etc.
3. Collect kindness marbles in a jar
Every parent’s dream is to raise kind, thoughtful, and courteous kids. To encourage polite behaviour, you can offer a reward when you spot an act of kindness from your kiddo. For every kind of action your kid does, they will receive one kindness marble!
Here’s what you need to execute the plan:
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1 wide cover plastic bottle or jar (you can also reuse containers to be more sustainable and get your kiddos to design them to their liking)
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100 marbles or more
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Name labels for each “kindness jar” for each kid
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A list of possible kind deeds and the value of each kind deed in the “marble” exchange world
At the end of the month, your kid(s) can redeem the marbles for a marble-to-dollar exchange! If they choose not to redeem it, they can continue “rolling” the amount forward to the next month. If marbles are not quite your child’s cuppa, substitute them with figurines of their favourite cartoons. We’d suggest the Oddbods Blind Bags that contain Collectible Figurines! Super cute, we promise you.
4. Craft a Thankfulness Box
Every week, get your little kiddos to write down one thing they’re thankful for. More importantly, it becomes a good reflection point when parents have a sit-down session with the kids (whether monthly or quarterly, or just on Thanksgiving) to acknowledge blessings in their lives. This seemingly small act could be a start to greater things as it helps to teach and plant the seed of gratefulness in your kids’ hearts.
5. Start a Family-based “I Love Earth” Movement
The global shift towards sustainability amidst news of climate change has highlighted the importance of caring for our environment, and now’s the perfect time to introduce this concept to our little ones and help them develop green habits . By starting a family-based sustainability-driven moment, you will inculcate them with a sense of responsibility towards Mother Earth.
Your kiddos don’t have to be the next Greta Thunberg, but little actions matter. For this idea, we’d suggest rewarding your kiddos each time they act sustainably. Whether it’s using a biodegradable dinner set or recycling their toys or paper products, you can start a system to reward them for their environmental consciousness.
P.S. You can kickstart their eco journey by getting them an Oddbods Bamboo Fiber Dinnerware Set for Kids!
The Oddbods’ Bamboo Fiber Dinnerware Set is 100% natural, biodegradable and eco-friendly; made with eco-friendly bamboo fiber and is an excellent alternative to classic, plastic children's dishes.
Embrace parenthood with a “Come what may” attitude
In an increasingly digital world, it’s easy to lose touch or relevance with your children. Nonetheless, there are plenty of opportunities to connect with your kids through everyday moments. By introducing gamification and injecting elements of fun into everyday activities, you can teach your little ones important values and help them appreciate the little things in life.
We hope these five fun ideas reinvigorate your spirits to be the best parent you can be to your little #oddstar! And really, what are the odds you aren’t already the best parent in their eyes? Almost none, we say!
Looking for more fun ways to spice up your children’s playtime? Check out our article on 7 Wacky DIY Games For The Whole Family.
