5 boredom-busting hobbies you can easily start with your child

Having a hobby is important as a parent, as it allows you to unwind after a long day, but this is also important for your child as they go down the self-discovery path. So why not share a hobby together? This can have plenty of benefits, creating a common ground where you can connect on a deeper level. Sure, it can be nice to run errands together, but you need more than that in order to create a foundation for a strong bond. Instead, think of something like gardening, cooking or photography – the possibilities are endless, and it’s really up to you as long as you choose something that both you and your child can equally enjoy. In this blog, we provide 5 ideas of fun hobbies you can share with your child, so check them out if you need some inspiration!

Gardening

In today’s digital world, a hobby that allows children to disconnect from devices can really go a long way, so consider gardening together. This hobby is great because it will teach your child to become curious about nature, and at the same time, it’s educational, promotes both mental and physical health, and will teach your child important skills like perseverance, dedication and patience. 

Plus, it can be fun to choose plants for your garden, and you can get the child involved by allowing them to decide what they want to plant. For instance, plants that don’t take too much time to grow – like bright flowers and vegetables- will help keep children’s interest levels up. 

Cooking 

Cooking is an essential life skill to teach your children, and it can also be very fun! Whether tearing herbs or mashing potatoes, the experience of preparing food is sensory and engaging, and it can also encourage conversation and creativity. You can use cooking to teach your child different concepts, such as measurement, fractions, and counting. Telling them how food changes depending on temperature or how specific foods can benefit health can become excellent science lessons! 

When getting started with cooking, you can sit together to look at recipes and make easy dishes first, like scrambled eggs on toast or warm porridge. Obviously, kids can’t do things that are too hard in the kitchen, so let them begin by cutting soft things using a blunt knife, such as roasted carrots or bananas, and show them how they can add flavors and spices to curries, or stews. If you want to keep things exciting, let your child choose a new recipe to cook together every week. 

Collecting 

Collecting is a very exciting hobby that will teach your kid lots of great skills, such as analytical thinking, attention to detail, and organizational skills. Besides, it stimulates curiosity and brings lots of joy. One of the most common items that kids like to collect is LEGO sets, which can help develop imagination, as each set allows you to create different models, ranging from simple buildings to structures that are a lot more complex. 

Nature-based collections are just as wonderful, and they can include shells, rocks, and leaves. During your next trip to the sea, you could help them find seashells in unique shapes and then help them display their collection by putting them in gorgeous glass jars or embellishing plant pots. Or, your kid may be into Anime and Manga, and in this case, you could help them choose various Anime collectibles to display at home. 

Painting 

Whether it’s your office job or house chores, you’re probably busy many times, making it difficult to find the time to bond with your kid. But some activities can go a long way in spending quality time with your little one, such as painting, which doesn’t require a lot of free time, and it’s really great when it comes to keeping your child engaged. Give them some brushes and paints and encourage them to express themselves freely through colors. 

Painting has many benefits, such as developing fine motor skills and a better understanding of the things around them, but it’s also a therapeutic activity which therapists recommend. Consider playing some soothing music and create an environment that promotes creativity – you will thank yourself later for doing this as soon as you notice the change in your child’s behavior and how this simple activity can bring the two of you together. Plus, it will also calm your mind and give you a much-needed break from checking things off your to-do list.  

Playing an instrument 

If you love music, and you sense that your child does too, why not play an instrument together? If you’re already good at it, you can teach your kid the basics; however, if you don’t know how to play any instrument, you can learn one together. Music is an excellent way to explore creativity and bond at the same time. There are plenty of benefits to starting this hobby, but above all, it can be truly rewarding and give your child a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence. 

However, make sure to be practical if you want to play an instrument together. While you could play anything, some musical instruments can be bulky and too big for kids, so you could go for something more suitable for them, like violin, piano or ukulele. Of course, you want to consider your child’s preferences too, and if they are interested in another larger instrument, you can always opt for scaled down versions that work for them. 

The bottom line

No matter which hobby you pick, it will give you the opportunity to spend quality time with your child and create memories that you will cherish for years to come. When you and your child share the same hobby, you can establish a strong level of trust and understand each other better. Furthermore, it will help you lay a foundation for confidence and strong self-esteem for your kid, showing them that others love being around them and that they are worthy of attention and affection. And they will also know that there’s no need to be a pro at anything from the very beginning, but rather, learning happens as you make mistakes, which are all part of the process. There’s a lot your child can gain when you start a hobby with them – and it will definitely benefit you as a parent as well, so why not embark on this adventure together?