Things Every Kid Should Do At Least Once

A few years ago I asked my fellow Five in a Row sisters their ideas on what kinds of things every kid should have the chance to do at least once while still a kid. All too often we forget how much fun it is to be a kid and worry too much about messes or simply don't take the time to have fun with our kids.




Why don't you join me and see how many things you and your kids can mark off this summer! (I have put in red the ones that all of our kids have had the chance to do and the ones in blue at least one of our kids have done. Some things were done kind of on their own, spur-of-the-moment or not really intentionally. These are things I want to make it a POINT to do... WITH the kids!)





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*Make mud pies.




*Splash in a big rain puddle.




*Play tag in the dark with flashlights.




*Go camping in a tent.




*Make homemade Taffy.




*Experiment to churn butter in a mayonnaise container.




*Have a backwards day with pizza for breakfast and pancakes for dinner. All clothing is worn backwards and parents must do the same!




*Catch fireflies in a mayonnaise jar.




*Ride in a rowboat.




*Skip rocks on a pond.




*Swing on a tire swing.




*Play in the rain.




*Climb a tree!




*Play in the sprinkler.




*Tend to plants and/or animals.




*Make "tents" with blankets over furniture.




*Tumble and wrestle with Daddy.




*Swim. (Just for fun, not lessons or swim team.)




*Have dessert for dinner!




*Have popcorn for dinner.




*Help dad wash the car.




*Go fishing with daddy.




*Fly a kite.




*"Camp" out in the back yard.




*Catch snowflakes on their tongues, and make snow angels.




*Get DIRTY!!!!




*Make cookies (or bake anything) - letting the kids do the measuring of course.




*Put on a play.




*Put on a puppet show.




*Horse back ride.




*Hay ride (or sleigh ride).




*Carve pumpkins (doesn't have to be for Halloween).




*Lots of crafty stuff.




*Own and take care of a small pet.




*Slide down a steep hill on a cardboard box.




*Eat cotton candy and candied apples.




*Go to the county fair.




*Go fishing using homemade poles.




*Make regular visits to the Ice Cream man who drives around your neighborhood.




*Ride bikes through puddles and then wash the bikes.




*Go to the circus.




*Play with a kitten.




*Wade in a creek.




*Make homemade popsicles.




*Go to the zoo.




*Ooh and ahh over fireworks.




*Go for a drive after dark to see Christmas lights.




*Attend a candlelight Christmas Eve service.




*Catch lightening bugs, crawdads, crickets, tadpoles and other "critters."




*Dance in the rain.




*Blow bubbles.




*Play in the mud.




*Plant flowers and seeds.




*Play with squirt guns and water hoses.




*Sing in the car, making up silly songs.




*Fishing and camping with Daddy and Grandpa.




*Have an imaginary friend.




*Make dandelion wishes.




*Eat flowers (ever taste a tiger lily?).




*Face paint clowns and put on our own circus.




*Go to the fair, eat cotton candy and ride the carousel.




*Watch a sunrise, and a sunset.




*Watch the full moon rise.




*Find cloud "pictures".




*Look at the stars.




*Act goofy and silly whenever possible.




*Laugh A LOT.




*Crack the egg into the batter and stir(even at the risk of dropping your best bowl and breaking it).




*Comb mom's hair (even if they make tangles).




*Make a gingerbread house (even if the gumdrops never make it on the fence).




*Pray for friends in need (even if it sets you back 25 minutes in starting school).




*Help paint anything.




*Go to work with Dad (even if he has the night shift and does not get home until 1:30a.m.).




*Wrap Christmas presents (even if they use an entire roll of tape for just a few presents).




*Have your attention (even if you have a deadline).




*Run ahead of you on a hike (even if you want to hold their hand for the gazillionth time).




*Draw another picture (even if you want that paper for yourself).




*Have the last cookie (even if it's your special treat).




*Eat butter and jelly on saltine crackers!




*Sit under a tree while you read them a chapter book from cover to cover.




*If possible, take a road trip with Grandma and Grandpa.




*Sit around in their pajamas one whole day and watch sitcom reruns.




*Ride a seesaw.




*Go to a drive-in movie.




*Roller skate.




*Spend hours in the woods exploring God’s world.




*Dance and just be silly!




*Tumble down a hill.




*Drink from a water hose.




*Have a weenie roast.




*Roast marshmallows.




*Make S’mores.




*Go on a treasure hunt.




*Write messages in secret code.




*Build a sand castle.




*Have a lemonade stand.




*Draw pictures with colored chalk on the driveway.




*Collect seashells.

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*Find a stick and pretend it's a sword or play cops and robbers.




*Make a fort under the kitchen/dining table.




*Take a bubble bath and pretend your Santa Claus.




*Eat cake with your hands.




*Chew bubble gum and blow a really big bubble and then peel it off your face.




*Jump on your bed.




*Squish mashed potatoes out of your mouth (ONCE!).







~Compiled and written by FIAR moms!