It is always a treat when my grandchildren come to the house! Whether it’s for a few hours or a few days, Neal and I cherish each moment we get to spend with them. One of the first things we do when the kids get to the house is put away all of the electronics. IPads are stashed and the television is turned off. This is a welcome break for all of us and allows us to focus on each other and be free from distractions.
There are many things we love to do, but the most important thing is that we are doing them together. I always insist on doing projects that are creative and require doing things with our hands. With all of the technology that surrounds us today, kids are used to things happening instantly. We aim to turn each activity into a teachable moment that shows them the importance (and fun!) of spending time on a project and being creative.
One of our favorite things to do together is make paper airplanes. It is truly amazing how much fun can be had with a simple piece of white paper. If I find a piece of paper that I think could have another life as a paper airplane, I’m sure to save it for the next time the kids come over. With a pile of paper before us, Neal and I demonstrate how we learned to make airplanes as children. Once everyone’s planes are ready for takeoff, we line up and let them fly! We have so much fun doing this over and over again! Hays and Amelia love to brainstorm new designs and create the smallest, most unique, or fastest planes possible. I have lost count of the hours we have spent crafting and flying the perfect planes!
Activities like paper airplanes are perfect to do with kids because they allow their creativity to shine. They don’t even realize it, but they are learning discipline with each airplane they fold. Planning, drawing, decorating, and doing anything creative is certainly fun but always requires patience and a process. Who knew that paper airplanes would be such an easy and fun way to learn?
What is your favorite kids activity?
