Chase Fairies (or Bigfoot): There is no denying that getting a toddler up and moving is not only good for his/her growth and health, but it can lead to much needed naps. Organizations like The National Organization for Play recommend trips to the great outdoors whenever possible. Why not use a trip outside as a chance to expand creativity and flex those free-play muscles? Sometimes simply suggesting to a child that there are fairies to be seen (or gnomes, trolls, aliens or whatever kind of disappearing creature appeals to the child) is enough to get them into the game. Fairy hunts take playing pretend and add exploration and exercise as parent and child chase their quarry all over the neighborhood. Just remember to keep the game going; whenever your child thinks he's found the spot where the critter rests, you should point somewhere else and say, "wait, is that it over there? Do you see it?" When the child is old enough, take them home and ask them to draw pictures of the creature they "saw." This works wonderfully with a group of children at a birthday party or a scouting event.
Preschoolers and Up
Once your child has a better grasp of language, you can focus on narrative exploration as a way to foster creative problem solving and encourage social interaction in groups. Taking turns and working together to solve problems, all while interacting face to face with other children, teaches them social cues and sharing.
Put the Kid in the Director's Chair: Story time at night is rife with opportunities for child-guided activities. As you tell your child a story, include them in it. You can tailor it by having him/her name the main character, or perhaps be the main character. Fill the story with choices for the main character to make and let the child make these decisions. Let the child guide the story and be prepared for a wild ride.
Traditional Gaming at the Table: There are actually a fair number of pen-and-paper roleplaying games designed specifically for young children, and a quick internet search will give you many to choose from. Keep in mind, the focus here should still be in the aspects of free play that will help the child. This means light (or nonexistent) rules and a wide-open setting with plenty of room for imagination. If you can swing it, a game for a group of similar-aged children lets them socialize and reap the full benefits of free play.
At the end of the day, I may always worry that I'm not spending enough time with my daughter. But by sharing my loves with her in a constructive but non-controlling way, at least I don't feel like the time we've spent together is wasted, even when we're just playing for its own sake.
Filamena Young is a full time mother, writer, and gamer. When she isn't chasing toddlers she's writing gaming material and "doing research" with the latest roleplaying titles. Read more at www.filamena.com.
