How can I make playing with my child less boring?

Parents often tell me that they just don’t know how to play with their kids or that it seems boring.  Most of the time parents comment that there is not enough time in the day.  Understanding how collaborative play benefits you and your children might motivate you to set aside the time and engage, but how can it be made interesting?

The first thing to do is to think about your childhood.  What were your favorite things to play?  Chances are you would still get a kick out of playing with them.  I used to love to build with Lincoln Logs and when given the chance could spend hours putting together a entire village.  Pull out some old pictures of you from childhood or talk to your parents if you can’t remember. 

The smallest thing can spark the imagination of a child.  Play with children is not “entertaining” them.  Most of the time you don’t have to do much beyond getting on the floor.  Children come up with the wildest ideas, just take the idea and run with it. 

Let go of all the “grownup” things in life. Look at the world through the eyes of your child during your play time.   Be silly and have fun.   

Here are a few specific ideas.  I hope they spark your inner-child.  And feel free to comment at the end with your own ideas. 

• Play School – their turn to be teacher
• Run around like monkeys or another animal
• Dance to some music
• Play a sport your child likes
• Write a story together or draw a several pictures that make a story
• Blind Guess- Put a bunch of random objects in a dark colored pillowcase.  Ask them to put their hand it and without looking guess what it is.  Let them do it for you. 
• I spy
• 20 questions, think of a cartoon character
• Do a Lego’s set with them
• Play Barbie’s and dolls
• Dress up.  Let them dress up in your clothes
• Be super heroes.
• Get out all the matchbox cars and put together a track with card board. 
• Video or computer games (if you have them) believe it or not are a great way to bond.  Most kids have a favorite and would love it if you knew a little bit about it.  And they will love beating you at the game even more.
• There are tons of new ways to do old board games.  Or get out your old board games. 
• Color or paint. Sometimes the simplest thing is the best. 
• Build a fort in your living room or under your dining room table. 
• Have a tea party.
• Tickle monster, wrestle and chase are great impromptu games to play.  Just make sure you are not always the one chasing or tickling.  Give them some power in it too. 
• Take a walk together and collect things.  You could keep a box of the things you collect or you could make a picture from the collection. 
• Make music with stuff from around the house: pots, pans, and plastic containers, whatever.  Create a parade for when dad (mom) comes home. 
• Pretend you are an animal and let them be the owner
• Line up chairs and make a train.