Keeping the Kids Creatively Occupied on Family Weekends

Spending the weekend together as a family is more than just fun, it's essential. You need that time to relax with your children, teaching them new skills and simply being together. You don't have to drop down in front of the TV, however; not when there's a whole world of entertaining activities that help your kids learn skills, too.

Explore Your Artistic Sides

Image via Flickr by chippenziedeutch One of the best things to do with your kids on the weekends is to get artistic. Every child needs to explore his or her imagination, and art is the best way to do that. Since there are so many forms of kid-friendly art, the possibilities are endless. Think about taking one weekend a month and devoting it to a new form of art, such as:

• Finger painting
• Painting on canvases
• Putting together collages
• Playing with papier-mâché
• And making and painting pottery

With so many options to choose from, you can really explore the boundaries of your child's creativity, plus you'll have tangible memories of the time you've spent together.

Make Your Own Ant Farm

There are also lots of activities that entertain and teach. Kids are like sponges, soaking up knowledge and new experiences from every direction. At early ages, you can easily make subjects such as math and science fun for them. Exploring nature is one of the best places to start, so take advantage of the traditional obsession with bugs almost every child has. Whether you buy a kit or build your own, ant farms fascinate children. No matter what course you choose, be careful. While luring and collecting your own ants is exciting and fun, it's a little risky. If you aren't careful, you'll end up having to call an exterminator to take care of your ant infestation.

Plant a Garden Together

Planting a garden is another great way to teach your children about nature while spending time together. There are also lots of benefits associated with having your own garden. Gorgeous flowers and trees are pretty to look at, plus anything that produces more oxygen is good for the environment. From a green standpoint, growing your own fruits and vegetables is also extremely eco-friendly. Teach your children about the importance of wholesome, natural foods and giving back to the environment. The lessons will stick throughout their lifetimes.

Build Something Beautiful Together

Most children love building things. That's why Legos and Lincoln Logs are so enduringly popular. Make the most of their helpful natures and inquisitive minds by building something as a family. Working with wood is ideal, as long as you're careful. In fact, you can take the opportunity to teach your kids about tool safety and about the importance of keeping bugs at bay. Ask them what they'd like to build. There are many kid-friendly options, such as birdhouses and even wooden airplanes. Anything you can put in your home is a great idea, because once more, you'll have something tangible with which to commemorate the day. The time you spend with your children is rich, memorable, and vital for your whole family. What are your favorite things to do on fun family weekends?