Fun activities for you and your elementary school child

1. Make tonight a 'No TV' night with your family. Ask your child to help select games or stories, and spend some quality time with him/her.
2. Help boost your child's self-esteem. Take pride in his/her achievements and accomplishments today and every day.
3. Put on a history play with your child today. Help him/her learn about important events in world history or even your own family history.
4. Make learning to write letters and numbers fun for your child. Roll playdough or clay into long thin worms and ask her to create letters and numbers.
5. Ask your child to help make lunch today. He/She can pick a spot in the park so that you can share lunch together.
6. Take the family out to a water park today. Help your child put on sunscreen and explain the importance of protecting his/her skin.
7. Go to the park and take a nature hike with your child today. Ask him/her to point out different animals and what they need to survive (i.e. food, shelter etc.)
8. School's on the way! Help your child make a 'countdown to school' calendar. Ask him/her to cross off each day at bedtime.
9. Encourage your child to make a 'to do' list today. Help him/her make a list of things that he/she would like to accomplish tomorrow, then check the items once completed.
10. Visit a community pool with your child today. Go for a dip to cool off on a hot day.
11. Take your child shopping for school supplies. Ask him/her to brainstorm a list of things that he/she will need for school.
12. Help your child make a kite today. He/She can decorate it and fly it at the park.
13. Teach your child about recycling. Show him/her how to recycle items such as paper, glass and aluminum.
14. Take your child to a petting zoo today. Ask him/her to draw pictures of the animals that he/she saw today.
15. Visit the library with your child today. Encourage him/her to borrow books about a different country, and learn about the people, cultures, and customs of the that country.
16. On a rainy day, set up a tent with your child in the living room. He/She can pretend to be a forest ranger.
17. Help your child practice his/her math skills. Ask him/her to add up all the change in your pocket or purse today.
18. Teach your child about the importance of preserving nature. Help him/her plant a tree in the yard and explain how littering harms the environment.
19. On a large piece of construction paper, help your child write his/her name vertically. Using each letter, help him/her write words that describe her personality.
20. Make car trips fun for your child. Play a game and ask him/her to point out license plates, billboards, and interesting road signs.
21. Tell your child that you love him/her today and every day.
22. Help your child create and design his own phone book . Make a list of his/her friends names and phone numbers.
23. How much does your child know about his/her family history? On a map trace where your family is from and help his/her create a family tree.
24. Help your child write a letter to a grandparent or friend today. Explain the importance of keeping in touch with loved ones.
25. Get your child back in 'school mode'. Ask him/her to research a famous painter on the Internet. Get out the paint and let him express him/herself through art.
26. Teach your child about textures today. Ask him/her to find objects outdoors that are smooth, shiny, slimy or round.
27. Suggest that your child write a poem for a friend today. He/She can mail it to them for a back to school present.
28. Encourage your child to make journal entries and keep track of his/her experiences in a new grade this coming school season.
29. Have a back to school party for some of your child's friends.
30. Help your child prepare for school. Talk to him/her about setting personal goals this year.