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Children like to watch, soak up and copy what people around them do, so it’s inevitable that they will try join in with your favourite activities too, says Specialist Speech and Language Therapist Alys Mathers.
“When you’re enjoying your hobby, you are role-modelling without realising it. Your child will sense that you're happy doing something you enjoy and want to copy. And by copying and joining in, they’re experiencing a different type of pretend play.
Whether it’s a sport, baking, crafts or music, hobbies can provide a great opportunity to bond with your child and learn about one another.
They also provide a chance for your little one to pick up new language skills, adds Alys. “Your hobbies are a fun break from everyday routine – so they’re a chance to have new experiences and introduce lots of new words. Seeing you concentrate on something you love will develop their focus and attention too and help them find things they love to do.”
18 fun and affordable hobbies to try with your kids
1. Cooking and Baking
Children can help in the kitchen from a very young age and it can sometimes help ease the worries of fussy eaters.
2. Gardening
Looking after plants teaches both you and your child patience, gives them a sense of responsibility and is a great bonding and learning experience.
3. Recycling
This is more of a lifestyle than a hobby but introducing your child to recycling and sorting out rubbish can be a really fun and enriching learning experience for them.
4. Dancing
This is a great hobby to start with your child when they're still a newborn. Dancing releases feel good chemicals in our brain called endorphins, so it's great for all ages.
5. Painting
Painting is a great way for kids to express their emotions and develop their creativity. Start with finger painting and gradually move on to brushes as their motor skills develop.
6. Hiking
Going for long walks with children is great for mental health, provides you with fresh air and will give you loads of great memories. You don't have to do a 5 mile hike straight away but you can build up to it together.
7. Writing stories
Children have great imaginations and making up stories is a great way to help them grow. Who knows, perhaps together you'll write a bestseller?
8. Scrapbooking
A great way to reflect to past memories whilst making new ones. Making picture albums or scrapbooks together can help your child develop a whole range of skills.
9. Yoga
A really easy and mindful hobby you can do with your little one. There are loads of child-friendly yoga classes to get you started, like this one with JoJo and Gran Gran.
10. Working Out
If you're looking for something a bit more active than yoga, then why not try some workouts together? If your child is still quite small, there's nothing wrong with using them as additional weights, as long as you're being safe!
11. Singing
Whether you choose nursery rhymes, pop songs or something a bit more out there, your child will love hearing your voice and trying to join in.
12. Playing music
Learning how to play an instrument is a wonderful skill to develop. Why not start with some homemade instruments and develop your own family band?
13. Rock-collecting
Collecting different rocks or shells is a great for your child's sensory development. Looking back at your collection is also a great way to talk about memories and what happened in the past.
14. Ball games
Playing with balls is a great way to develop coordination and motor skills. Choose your favourite or try a few and see what your child likes the most.
15. Swimming
You can take your baby swimming when they're very young. Going swimming together is great way to see how much they develop in the first few years. Soon they'll be challenging you to races!
16. Birdwatching
Grab some binoculars, or make your own out of cardboard tubes, and get out in nature to spot birds. It's a great opportunity to teach your child loads of new words and also about patience.
17. Doing puzzles
Puzzles are great for developing concentration and coordination skills. You can work together with your child or have a race and see who can do it fastest. Start with a simple, homemade puzzle and build up the complexity.
18. Reading
Reading to babies and toddlers is a great bonding exercise plays a part in developing their speech and language. if you're an avid reader, this hobby is a no-brainer.
4 top tips for sharing your hobby with your child
1. Follow their lead
It’s natural to want your child to like the things you do. But look out for signs that they’re interested rather than forcing them into it, recommends Alys. “Give them a starting point, and then see where it goes. Show them simple ways they can get involved because they won’t be able to do the hobby in the exact same way as you. You could try giving them their own tool or version of it, like their own binoculars because this will help them feel like they've got some responsibility.”
Even if they’re not into your hobby, they will probably want to spend time with you while you do it. “If you’re gardening, they might not want to do any digging or watering, but they might want to fill pots and containers and get muddy. If you’re cooking, they could play with wooden spoons and pans.”
2. Chat throughout and use new words
Use your hobby to chat, ask questions and use active language to make it into a rich learning experience suggests Alys. “It’s a hands-on way to learn. Hobbies give you the chance to introduce new words, particularly action words, which you can turn into noises. So if you’re playing football say ‘weeee’ or ‘oof’ when you kick the ball. If your child is a little older, look for the actions and model those, for example, emphasise ‘pouring’ and ‘stirring’ while you’re cooking. Always take turns with whatever you’re doing, so you’re not dominating.”
3. Let your child make decisions
“For example, if you’re baking, ask your child if there's something they'd like to make, or ask simple questions like ‘Shall we have white or dark chocolate? They could point to answer if they’re not able to say the words. If you’re on a walk together, ask them which direction they’d like take, if they’d like to run or hop and whether there’s a game they’d like to play,” says Alys.
4. Relax and roll with it
Your hobby might be your lifelong passion, but don’t get too hung up doing it the ‘right’ way with your little one. “Otherwise, your child is going to find it really hard to live up to your expectations and they won’t get a chance to explore it for themselves,” explains Alys. “It's not about the end result but how you do it and the journey. If you enjoy making memories and your child has a good time, it doesn’t matter if your craft project, cake, or whatever it is didn’t turn out as planned.”
Do your kids enjoy your hobbies?
We asked our Tiny Happy People community about the pastimes they enjoy with their little ones.
Cycling
Annie: “My daughter is only 14 months old but is already fascinated by cycling. It started because we wave goodbye to my husband every day as he goes to work on his bike. When cycling is on the TV, she loves cheering along and is fascinated by the colourful jerseys. She first said ‘bike’ at 13 months – she spotted bikes in a storybook, we told her the word and she’s repeated it ever since. We’re looking forward to taking her out on a bike seat when she’s older.”
Dancing
Sophie: “I’ve danced since I was 3 and kept it up while I was pregnant with my daughter. When she was a baby and I went back to my classes, she would sit in her car seat or pushchair and watch me. I did lots of different types including ballet, tap, freestyle and jazz. She loved it and started dancing when she was 3 too – it’s something that really brings us together.”
Gardening
Annu: “My son loves helping in the garden, particularly with planting – grabbing soil and patting it down, then watering the plants. He loved picking ripe tomatoes off the plant he watered all summer. He’s fascinated by the sights, sounds and textures of the garden.”
Birdwatching
Alison: “My son Harry is 12 months and loves pointing at birds through the window or at the park. He’s fascinated by their sounds, so I try to do impressions. For example, I’ll say ‘Look, Harry! I see a bird on the roof, it’s a pigeon’ and I’ll make the sound and ask him to make it too. We saw a red kite swoop down at the park, so now we listen out for their loud call and we also spot swifts who migrate from Africa each year. Harry loves it when I make their high-pitched sound.”
Baking
Emily: “My 16-month-old daughter loves baking with us. We make the classics like fairy cakes, Victoria sponges, chocolate cornflake cakes and flapjacks. She loves stirring all the ingredients together. It makes her so happy and I think it’s helped her relationship with food; as a baby, she had to see a dietician about a sensitive gag reflex and eating made her anxious. Helping in the kitchen means she’s not so scared of food anymore.”
Safety advice
It's important with any hobby or activity not to leave your child unattended and to keep a close eye on what they're doing.
It's also worth noting any choking hazards to avoid and any potential hazards like toxic plants.
