Spending a weekend with children can be more fun if it is more engaging instead of kids just getting lost in video games and TV. And it is not just about taking them out to their favorite playing area but creating the exciting moments at home. Here are just a few examples of fun things the kids can enjoy at home: Catch up on school activities According to Christine Uwizeye, a mother of two, there is no better time to follow up on school activities than the weekend. For her, starting conversations with children about school and listening attentively about the activities they enjoy, who their friends are, the games they play, subjects they love most, and their relationships with their teachers is mind-blowing. ALSO READ: Where to take your children this weekend Tell stories Uwizeye stressed that story telling is entertaining and engaging for children of different ages, depending on the topics. “For those below seven years, they would be interested in knowing about simple things like what happened before and after they were given birth to, which kind of babies they were, or even their parents’ school time, and how life was without much modernization like the internet, artificial intelligence and so forth,” she said. For Uwizeye, such conversations obviously incite questions, and allow interactions and thus keep the conversations going. Bible study Gasana Mutesi, a businesswoman and mother of five, noted that it is mostly during weekends that she reads the Bible with her children and lets them ask for clarity about the scriptures. She believes that this enables children to not read the Bible for the sake, but interpret it fully, and apply the lessons in their daily lives. Book reading “I have made it a habit to instill the culture of reading in my children and this hasn’t only boosted their vocabulary, expression, and confidence but also knowledge about life. For them, reading is now part of their lifestyle,” she stressed. Although they read on their own, sometimes, during the weekends we review the books, and I ask them lessons they picked from their reads. We also get time to read together storybooks, which are of about 40 and 50 pages, Mutesi added. Follow up on school performance She stressed that it is parents’ responsibility to know or follow up on their grades, for instance, if they perform well, cheer them up to do better. If the performance is poor, allow kids to openly speak about what could be the problem and walk with them the journey of improvement. Mutesi noted that you can’t know children’s needs and issues if you don’t ask them, and provide a listening ear. “The conversations don’t have to be serious as kids would get intimidated,” she noted. Talent show Jean Pierre Gahigi, a communications specialist and father of one, explained that children’s talents ought to be noticed at a young age. Which is why he advises organizing talent shows at home to showcase their abilities to the whole family. “You would be surprised about your child’s potential. Let them do what they relish. For instance, they can paint, dance, write, sing, draw, and so forth. Once they realize that their talents are valued, they would push forward with them, this could be their future careers or sources of income,” he stated. Watch movies, cartoons Gahigi also added that it is quite exciting enjoying a movie with children especially one with their favorite stars while snacking away. Such a moment allows a child to feel that they are loved, and also creates discussions regarding the movie. Games’ time He also stressed that regardless of the age, you can play with your child. If they are not yet school going, play songs for them and sing along as you dance together, if they are older, dress in your sports attire and play soccer, volley, or jog together. “Children don’t only feel that they are loved when their needs are catered for, but also when you share some of your time with them,” Gahigi stated. Cooking lessons “Cooking can be fun, especially if preparing your child’s favorite snack, food or drink,” said Dominic Rutayisire, an entrepreneur and father of three. For Rutayisire, write down the recipes on a paper, and go through the whole preparation process together. He believes that it is enjoyable when kids are part of the process of the food they eat, as they also learn to value the efforts behind preparing it. Do house chores Rutayisire pointed out that most children think that doing housework is a punishment or it is only duty of a househelp. However, doing it together with them changes the mentality about it. “You can decide to mop, lay the bed, sweep or do the dishes together while having conversations about random things.”
