73 Things Kids Should Do Before They Grow Up

 

I’m sure I could add a ton more things to this list. This is what I came up with in about 10 minutes of pondering. So much to do!!!

 

1. Make a mud pie
2. Play Kick-the-Can
3. Learn a musical instrument
4. Learn a second language

5. Show off a milk mustache
6. Use Popsicles for lipstick
7. Sleep in hair rollers
8. Play Red Rover
9. Spin on a merry-go-round at a playground
10. Play freeze tag
11. Go to camp (any camp)
12. Strut a Kool-Aid mustache
13. Play in mommy’s makeup
14. Finger paint
15. Sing somgs around a fire
16. Make s’mores over an open fire
17. Learn to tie different knots

18. Run a lemonade stand
19. Learn to jump Chinese jump rope or double dutch
20. Play kickball using used milk cartons for bases
21. Dress up for Halloween, including a face mask and wig
22. Make pizza from scratch
23. Learn to bake bread
24. Pick fruit from a tree and eating it
25. Watch the Wizard of Oz
26. Listen to a grandparent’s stories
27. Get your face painted
28. Get ears pierced
29. Play football in an open field
30. Act in a play
31. Create your own hopscotch
32. Pick up a worm
33. Catch a butterfly
34. Make your own popsicles
35. Learn to play Solitaire
36. Learn to play chess
37. March in a parade
38. Visit a fire and police station
39. Go on an all-day picnic
40. Have a sleepover
41. Camp out in the backyard

42. Make a fort then sleep in it
43. Start a summer lawn mowing business
44. Open a savings account with your own money
45. Ride a horse
46. Take swimming lessons
47. Stay up all night (at least once)
48. Swim in a lake

49. Go fishing
50. Catch fireflies
51. Grow a caterpillar until it turns into a butterfly
52. Start a collection
53. Read a comic book
54. Put on a talent show
55. Make your own haunted house in the basement
56. Make a sand castle (whether at the beach or park)
57. Play in the rain
58. Go creeking
59. Volunteer at the local animal shelter
60. Walk to somewhere
61. Learn to ride a bike without training wheels
62. Have a bubble blowing contest
63. Feed the ducks at the park
64. Pick wildflowers

65. Learn to play marbles
66. Climb a tree
67. Build a snowman
68. Make breakfast in bed for mom/dad
69. Play dress up then go to the store with Mom
70. Learn to fly a kite
71. Wish upon a star
72. Stomp in puddles
73. Sew a pillow or apron

It’s important that kids learn that there’s more to life than video games and technology. It’s important that kids be kids and that they do kid things.

 

Please add to this list. What were some of the things you liked to do when you were a kid?

 

“Your children need your presence more than your presents.”

-Jesse Jackson“Don’t worry that your children never listen to you; worry that they are ALWAYS watching you.”  -Robert Fulghum

There's Yogurt on the Window

We've had a very busy summer so far.  If we weren't going out and doing something, we've had friends in to visit and play.  I never mind having company, especially when it's someone to keep my kids busy, like a play date.  But today was different.  I just wanted a day with nothing to do so I can get caught up on my own stuff that I needed to get done.  My daughter was constantly asking for someone to come over and play today and I said, "we don't have to schedule something exciting every minute of everyday.  You have a bedroom full of stuff, go find something to do."  She responded, "I'm going to keep whining until you let me have a friend over to play with."  So there you have it.  That was my whole afternoon.

At 8:00pm, I turned around and looked at the house.  Good gracious!  This is what I get for letting the kids have too much fun while I stayed busy on my own tasks.  Heaven forbid, I accomplish what I need to get done without regretting it!  Of course the kids' energy rapidly depleted when it was time to clean up and I was left yelling.... a lot.  How many times do I have to say, "pick up those papers and put them away" before I go crazy?  In fact, I yelled so much that I started to lose my voice.  I didn't even yell that loud, just a lot.  I don't even want to know how yogurt got smeared all over the window and why the carpet is soaked in the playroom.  This is what I get for getting something of my own done.  I remembered an article I read on Yahoo! that said "stop yelling at your kids once and for all" and it said to talk quietly to your kids instead of yelling.  My first reaction to that statement was, "why talk quietly when yelling feels so good?"  Sometimes, yelling at my kids feels good to get all my frustrations out, then again, that just adds to my frustrations.  I suppose being a mom, I just can't win.

So here I am, 11:00pm and I'm sitting here for the first time in weeks and I'm doing nothing of importance.  It feels good.  I decorated three wedding invitations today, which my goal was to get them done by Thursday.   I can't wait to take pictures of the finished keepsake.  I will post them once they are finished.  I'll tell ya, these keepsakes are a unique gift.  They are beautiful and they preserve special moments in life like a wedding, anniversary, births and graduations.   If you're ever interested, I ship, accept Paypal and I would love to do a Keepsake for you.