Kiddipedia
Four go-to games for parents too tired to play.
We know all too well what it can be like at the end of a long day. You’ve just survived the madness of the peak-hour school run and now that you’re home, the kids are starting to lose it. They’re hungry, tired, cranky and bored and you’re just ramping up for the night shift – homework, dinner, bathtime and bed. While it can be hard to find the energy to keep them entertained, this is often the time of day that your kids are desperate to connect and have a little quality time with you. When it comes to shaking off a bad mood and having a little fun, teachers are often filled with fresh ideas that you can try at home. We asked the drama teachers at Speak Up Studio for their go-to games to connect with your child after school.
Dress Ups
Don’t worry if you don’t have fancy costumes lying around. Just open your child’s wardrobe and play! Put on clothing in silly and fun ways. The weirder the better. Try inventing a character as you go and start playing the part. This is bound to cheer up your child and spark their creativity too.
Make me laugh
This game is so easy that it can even be played lying down! Start by laying down the challenge, “I bet you can’t make me laugh.” Then, try to keep a straight face while your kids do everything in their power to crack you up. It really is as fun as it sounds.
Spoonerisms
This is a great one for shaking up storytime and eliciting a giggle or two. The word “spoonerism” comes from the Oxford don and ordained minister William
Archibald Spooner would unintentionally mix up the sounds in his words. Kids love a good dose of nonsense and a lot of fun can be had by purposely using spoonerisms. We do this by switching consonants, vowels, or
morphemes between two words in a phrase. You might try a story about
“Parry Hotter” or “The Beeping Sleupy”. Perhaps they’d like to eat some “Belly Jeans” while you read? It won’t take long before they’re joining in and making up their own spoonerisms. This can also be a good activity to try when your child is distracted while reading – spoonerise occasional words and see if they notice!
Toy Story Statues
We use this one a lot in our drama classes and it is the perfect game for
multitasking parents. It’s great for when you’re busy doing odd jobs around the house, cooking, cleaning or just enjoying a much-deserved break sitting on the couch! The idea is simple – the kids are toys, let them choose whichever toy they want to be, and just like in the movie Toy Story, they can only move
when you are not looking at them. Try setting them a challenge to get from one room to another unnoticed, or better still unpack their school bag, while you aren’t looking. Have fun!
