Hobbies Children & Parents Can Share

Outdoor Activities

• If you're passionate about the outdoors, there's no reason you can't take your kids with you. Focus on the Family contributor Candice Watters recommends scaling activities down a bit for babies and young kids while still exposing them to your favorite outdoor hobbies. Hikers can use a backpack to tote young ones around or plan shorter hikes for kids age five and up. Pack plenty of snacks and plan to take breaks. Although your hikes may not be as vigorous as they used to be, your children can grow into the hobby. Watters warns that if the activity is too advanced, you risk injury, boredom or irritability on the kids' part. Other outdoor hobbies include fishing, running, swimming or boating.

Sports

• Engage your family in your favorite sport by attending games together, watching games on television or playing your own games in the back yard. Teach kids the fundamentals of the game from a young age by playing catch, shooting hoops or hitting balls with age-appropriate equipment. Use family time to teach your kids about sportsmanship and playing for the love of the sport rather than playing to win.

Crafting

• Whether you craft for profit or just enjoy creating art to express yourself, there's a way to involve your children. Create a space in your crafting area that's child-friendly and accessible.Provide supplies like paper, glue, child-friendly scissors, paints, glitter and stickers for your child to create whatever she likes. Teach your child a little about your craft by allowing her to take part in the process. If you are a knitter, give her a ball of yarn and large knitting needles to work beside you. As she grows, you can begin teaching her how to make stitches. If you work with wood, give your child a scrap piece and allow her to paint it. Simplify your craft to accommodate your child's level of expertise, making her feel valued.

Reading

• Reading is a lifelong hobby that is easily shared with children of all ages. Carve out time to read to your toddler or preschooler every day. Choose books on subjects that interest your child, making sure to linger over the pictures and allow your child ask questions. Once your child learns to read, let him to show off his skills by reading to you sometimes. Visit your local library or book store regularly to help your child discover the wide range of subjects books can cover. Encourage independence in reading by giving your child a pile of books to look through while you read a book of your own each day.