How much easier and simpler was life when we were kids? Do you remember Saturday mornings? Getting up, doing your chores, eating breakfast”¦and then going outside to play? Well nowadays it seems more and more kids’ play has to do with electronic devices than simple make-believe or imagination.

One of my favorite games as a child was a game we called The Fox and the Geese. Picture the game tag in the snow. Now picture trails throughout the yard, some led to dead ends, one led to a safety zone, and the rest intersected. There would be one fox and the rest of the players would be the geese. The object of the game is to be the last goose standing. We would play for hours!

Thinking about all we did as kids that didn’t include Nintendo, Playstation, or cell phones has me thinking of ways to get the kids out of the house and into some good old fashioned fun. Here are some ideas to get those kids away from those devices and outside in some fresh air.

1. Play tag.
2. Hide-n-seek
3. Go sledding
4. Go camping
5. Go ice skating or roller skating
6. Take the time to go for a hike. Especially during the fall when the leaves are changing.
7. Have a puppet show. We used to flip the couch, put a sock on our hand and perform a show for our parents. It was always such a blast.
8. Go for a bike ride.
9. Turn on the radio and dance. While the kids might think it is embarrassing in front of their friends, doing it in the privacy of your home is different. There they can express themselves.
10. Have a coloring contest between mom and dad and have the kids’ judge. Or have a contest between the kids and have the parents’ judge.
11. Put some gaming ideas in a hat and draw one out. Then play it. Include such games as Pictionary, Sorry, Life, or Charades.
12. Go outside and have a picnic followed by lawn games. Set up a croquet set. Play volleyball or kickball. Do something fun with the kids while the sun is shining and it is warm outside.
13. Build a snow fort and have a snowball fight.

Whatever you do, remember it is supposed to be fun and entertaining without being a hassle with electronics. See if you can remember some of the things you did as a kid. Tell me what it was. Do you do something unique with your kids? Share with us!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others’ comments. It’s easy, and fun!

Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants