It’s been a while since I wrote this post about ways to embrace being a mother of only boys. In fact, I even have a daughter now.
However point #2 from that post about the importance of finding activities to do with my sons that we both enjoy is still very pertinent to my life. Because throwing paper planes and having make-believe lightsaber fights are big in my house at the moment… but don’t really interest me, to be honest.
I can actually sense my brain turning off and myself feeling quite disconnected after a morning, a day, a week, or a month full of conversations and activities that aren’t very interesting to me. (I do my best to engage with topics like “the most dangerous sea creatures” for as long as I can, I really do…)
I know it may seem trivial but some days it does feel really hard. Especially when I am tired. And I don’t think it’s going to get easier any time soon!
So I’ve decided to make a list of things I know my boys (currently ages 3 and 6) would enjoy doing that I also feel excited about. I hope it will help get me out of the rut that I’ve been in lately, feeling like there are very few interests we have in common. I know that isn’t true at all, but we’ve just gotten into the pattern of doing the same things and discussing the same topics over and over… and those things/subjects aren’t necessarily ones I personally like. Hence the paper planes and lightsaber comment above. (No offence to my darling sons for loving these things enough to do them all day, every day… but I can only take so much!)
Below is my list of 50 ways to connect with sons through activities I will enjoy, too. I’m looking forward to checking them off one by one – starting tomorrow!
And just a note – I know many girls would enjoy these activities as well and that some boys may not enjoy all of them, either. This is just a list of perhaps stereotypical “boy” activities… or at least activities I personally know my sons would enjoy.
- Play a board game.
- Go on a neighbourhood walk and make a field journal of plants.
- Make some slime monsters.
- Jump rope.
- Find a bug to examine in a glass jar with a magnifying glass.
- Visit a new playground.
- Make stove-top popcorn and eat it while reading favourite storybooks.
- Create a Discovery Bottle with pebbles.
- Do some arm wrestling.
- Jump on a trampoline.
- Create some little friends (or pets) using natural or recycled materials.
- Take silly photographs of each other.
- Build a fort outside with chairs, ropes, cushions and/or sheets.
- Download some new audio stories.
- Write a song together.
- Make hot chocolate or go out to a cafe for some.
- Make some tissue paper stained glass window decorations.
- Explore a nearby river.
- Play tic-tac-toe using chalk on the pavement.
- Have a sensory nature scavenger hunt.
- Go play mini golf (or set up a backyard version of the game).
- Find a YouTube tutorial to make some origami.
- Make some symmetrical sticker pictures.
- Play cards (“Snap” and “Go Fish” are fun).
- Turn on the radio and have a dance party.
- Write a letter to a relative.
- Make a Water Bottle Fountain.
- Go to the cinema to see a new movie.
- Make a “Get Well Soon” card for a friend who is sick.
- Have a running race.
- Do a still life painting.
- Grow some crystals.
- Throw a frisbee.
- Write a story and illustrate it.
- Create some eggshell art.
- Find a maze or crossword book to do together.
- Print out an insect playdough mat to play with.
- Cook an extra serving of dinner (soup is easy!) and deliver it to a friend in need.
- Make a geoboard.
- Wash the car (and have a water fight).
- Put together an obstacle course.
- Go to the pool.
- Play “Hang Man” on the white board.
- Make some wool twisties.
- Collect rocks for a rock collection.
- Make some mug cake.
- Look through baby photos.
- Do word searches (or use I Spy books, for non-readers).
- Make a paper pinwheel.
- Have a picnic and look for pictures in the clouds.
What other activities do you and your boys enjoy together? I would love to read your ideas in the comments!
Here are some other posts I’ve written about raising sons:
10 Ways To Embrace Being A Mother Of Boys
OMG Chelsea – are we living the SAME life? My son is completely obsessed with the same two things. Last night at dinner I tried to swerve the conversation back to “real life” and off which of the battle ships is faster (kill.me) wah wah wha wha zzzzzz
This list is brilliant – I think the big sister will appreciate it too as she and I about excited for lengthy Star Wars conversations as we are for getting our teeth cleaned by the hygienist.
LOL Kate I’m glad I’m not the only one who zones out when the conversation goes to battle ships… I have definitely heard a lot of it 🙂
I found it easy as a mum if boys when they are young – teenagers is a totally different ball game!!
Ideas much appreciated, from 14 to 17
Sorry I don’t have teen boys myself so cannot speak from experience, but I found a few articles that I have shared on my Facebook page within the last day. Hopefully they help!
This is a fab list!! Being intentional about investment.
That’s a great way to put it, Kelly!
So many great ideas!
One of my boys is not your stereotypical ‘boys boy’ but I still struggle sometimes to find things we have in common… I know very little about minecraft, and solving maths problems is really not my idea of a good time! LOL
We’ve recently discovered two awesome card games that are fun for early primary age and up and also for adults – Ratata Cat and Sleeping Queens… highly recommend them both for a fun way to connect!
Haha my boys having been BEGGING for minecraft but I’m resisting as I know it will be a constant struggle to manage time on the iPad. And funny you mention math problems, because my hubby was teaching Mr 6 some algebra today and he was soaking it up with glee LOL.
I can’t wait to look up those card games, thanks so much for sharing!!
So many great ideas Chelsea! Thanks for sharing my post too! 🙂
I’m looking at your list, honestly wondering why someone would post a list of things they like to do with their kids. But then my brain suddenly picked up on the fact that your list is serving as an amazing reminder that we should be taking the time to do things with our kids.. engaging with them and giving them 100% of our attention all the while. Your post reflects and reminds us that this is a piece of our lives that holds great significance! Thank you.
I know your list gave ideas to many. I didn’t intend to downplay that. If that’s what it sounded like i apologize! I just wanted to point out what it did for me personally. Thx! 🙂
No worries, I get it! Thanks for sharing what you got from it 🙂
I hear you!! I struggle with not being the fun parent. Even the books my boys ask to read, a detailed description of what each type of dozer does, for example, make me want to scream with boredom. Thanks for the inspiration for something new!
Yep it’s hard not to “turn off” my brain sometimes when I’m not interested, so I like to remember that I can help set the tone by choosing/introducing new activities, too!
What about littles? How do I relate to my 2 sons, especially the oldest who’s 2?
Hi Lora, I personally found it easier to play with my toddler boys because they were still interested in a lot of games that I enjoyed such as generic role play/dressing up, working in the kitchen, hide and seek, playing at the playground etc. If you look under my “parenting” category and find ideas for play, I have a printable of activities for toddlers that may be useful.
These are all great ideas, but how about some ideas for teenage boys. I have a 13 year old son and would love to get some new ideas.
Sorry I don’t have teenage boys yet so can’t recommend anything personally 🙂
Lovely list Chelsea, but as you say, just as much fun for little girls…