Pit Maneuvers

When you make your obligatory Chick-Fil-A stop on your next road trip, throw down a few exercise challenges – the most push-ups or jumping jacks, the fastest 20 yard dasher, the first to climb to the roof of the car! Winner picks the Spotify playlist, gets the first seat choice, or just enjoys bragging rights. You, however, enjoy of the benefits of helping the kids get their wiggles out.

Commercial Songs

So this was a drinking game but fun without beer too! Take turns singing commercial jingles. If it’s your turn and you can’t think of one within a few seconds then you drink (lose).

Telephone

Whisper a short story to the person next to you. They then repeat to the next person and so on. Eventually, bits will be left out, changed, evolved until the story of the snack you ate after school becomes the story of a turd you left in the pool.

MEANINFUL REFLECTION:

Gossip doesn’t always get it right. In fact, it is most often wrong. You should be quick to dismiss gossip and seek the truth instead of hurtful misinformation.

 

20 Questions

Great for abstract thinking and strategy development. Someone thinks of a ‘thing’ and the others can ask up to 20 yes-or-no questions to figure it out.

How Was School?

Kids are often reluctant to give you more than “fine” in response to this question. Don’t let them get away with it! Poke and probe deeper! Truth is they want you to. They want to know that you’re interested in who they are and what they’re going through. Try a few of these out of the norm questions to turn their brain on and get the conversation going, or pickup a set of conversation starter cards.

DADDIO TIP: Connect with a Daddio Coach to get a personalized set of conversation starters that will resonate with your unique situation.

  • If your stuffed animals could talk, what would they say?
  • What does it feel like when I hug you?
  • If you drew everything that came into your head, what would you be drawing right now?
  • What do yo think you’re going to dream about tonight?
  • What sounds do you like best and why?
  • If you were going to spend the whole day outside, what activities would you do?
  • What are the best ways to make a fort?
  • How do you think animals communicate?
  • Describe a great day: What are you doing that makes it special?
  • What animal would make a great driver?
  • Do you like it when other people share with you? Why?
  • Who is your favorite storybook character?
  • What one thing do you do now that you usually need an adult for but would like to try to do all by yourself?
  • If you had to give everyone in the family new names, what would they be?
  • What makes you happy?
  • If you could do anything right now, what would you do?
  • If you had a pet dragon, what would you name it?
  • What would you do together with your pet dragon?
  • Who is your best friend?
  • Who are your enemies?
  • What is your favorite music?
  • What is your biggest complaint about this family?
  • If I could buy you anything in the world, what would be your number-one choice?
  • What is you favorite TV show?
  • What accomplishment is your proudest?
  • What was the biggest disappointment of this past year?
  • What non-school book have you enjoyed recently?
  • Do you feel too big or too small for your age?
  • What do you want to be when you grow up?
  • What gift from me has been most cherished?
  • Do you prefer to do school work after school, after dinner or in the morning?
  • Who is your favorite teacher? Why?
  • What person outside the family has influenced you most?
  • What is your favorite family occasion?
  • What would be your first choice for a family vacation?
  • What would be your preferred pet of choice?
  • What color would you like your room to be?
  • Who is your hero?
  • What embarrasses you the most?
  • What makes you really angry?
  • What is your nickname at school?
  • What are your most and least favorite subjects?
  • In gym ,would you rather play a game, do exercises or run relays?
  • Do you feel liked by people at school?
  • What foods do you most like and most dislike?
  • Which household chore do you hate most?
  • What is your favorite sport?
  • What is your biggest fear?

Charades

Love this game for tapping a kid’s creativity and promoting confidence, all while being a fun bonding experience. A classic for sure, but for little kids, pick up a set of picture cards to level the field.

Feather Wand

Point the magic wand (a feather, duster, paper towel roll.. whatever) at any object and shout “Heavy!”. That object then magically becomes super heavy! The more drama you put into the effect the more hilarious the game. Get squashed by a pillow, struggle to move a weighted shoe, or eat dinner with your hands because the fork is just impossible to pick up!

Dance Mode

A tap to the head engages ‘dance mode’ which means no matter where you are, you have to get down and boogie! Set a limit – each kid gets to flip the switch once on each parent. When will disco fever strike??

Flashlight Tag / Hide & Seek / Sardines

Put this on your radar for your next vacation rental. Parents can get the house organized while the kids explore the space. Dad – you can strategically unload the car to create a suitcase fort with a secret chamber for the perfect hiding spot.

Hollywood

Help your kids act out their favorite story or a script of their own. Costumes, props, …whatever you can muster. Then be sure to film it for an incredible keepsake. It might even be just the right mix of cuteness and embarrassment to show at their wedding rehearsal one day.

 

The value of kids participating in a play or re-enacting a story goes far beyond just putting on a show. It’s a journey of self-discovery, creative expression, and social development that can leave a lasting impact on young minds. Here are some of the key benefits:

Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem: Stepping onto the stage and performing in front of an audience takes courage. But for kids, overcoming that fear and delivering their lines can be a huge confidence booster. They learn to believe in themselves and their abilities, which can spill over into other areas of their lives.

Develops Public Speaking Skills: Plays and re-enactments provide a safe and supportive environment for kids to practice speaking in front of others. They learn to project their voices, enunciate clearly, and express themselves confidently, skills that will serve them well in school and beyond.

Enhances Creativity and Imagination: Plays and re-enactments allow kids to step outside themselves and into different roles and worlds. They use their imagination to bring characters to life, create costumes and props, and interpret the story in their own unique way. This fosters creativity and problem-solving skills that can be applied to other aspects of their lives.

Improves Teamwork and Collaboration: Putting on a play or re-enactment is a team effort. Kids learn to work together, support each other, and listen to one another’s ideas. They develop communication skills and learn the importance of cooperation to achieve a common goal.

Strengthens Memory and Concentration: Learning lines, remembering cues, and staying focused throughout a performance requires good memory and concentration skills. Participating in plays and re-enactments can help kids develop these skills and improve their overall cognitive abilities.

Promotes Emotional Intelligence: By stepping into the shoes of different characters, kids can explore a range of emotions and develop empathy for others. They learn to understand and express their own emotions in a healthy way, which can contribute to their emotional intelligence.

Encourages Literacy and Language Skills: Plays and re-enactments often involve reading scripts, memorizing lines, and using expressive language. This can help kids develop their literacy skills and improve their understanding of language and communication.

Provides a Sense of Community and Belonging: Participating in a play or re-enactment can be a rewarding and bonding experience for kids. They work together with their peers, learn from their directors and coaches, and create a sense of community and belonging.

Creates Lasting Memories: The experience of participating in a play or re-enactment can be a cherished memory for kids. They get to showcase their talents, have fun with their friends, and create something special together. These memories can stay with them for years to come.

So, whether your child is a budding actor or simply enjoys playing pretend, participating in a play or re-enacting a story can be a valuable and enriching experience. It’s an opportunity for them to grow, learn, and have fun, all while expressing themselves creatively and connecting with others.