Planning Playtime

I have always been a promoter of routine, routine, routine when it comes to kids and without scheduling in physical play activities I find managing the three of them so much harder.

Monday to Friday our routine is pick up from school and have a physical hour.  I plan this as religiously as I meal plan and it sometimes be planned for weeks ahead, regardless of the weather.

I prep tea for each night during the youngest's naptime and its either cooked and ready to warm up when we get in or it's slow cooking and will be waiting for us when we return to the fold.

Here's an idea of what we do

Go to the park

Go for a bike ride

Walk the dog

Do outdoor or indoor exercise challenges (kids love being timed!)

Play a physical game such as Cranium Hullaballo or party games like musical bumps

Go beach combing

Play Crazy Golf

Play football

Have a trampolining session

Do a nature trail

Do a scavenger hunt (again indoor or outdoor)

and alternately each week we...

Have a friend round for tea

Visit friends with Kids


My middle child has real problems with sleep.  Not that he struggles getting to sleep, he just doesn't want to.  If we miss an activity after school, I can guarantee rattiness and tempers.  Not because he hasn't done anything, he doesn't realize the connection.  He is just out of sorts and the smallest thing will send him over the edge into a drama.

Do you believe in planning playtimes?

What activities work for your family?

Please share your experiences in the comments box :)

Have Fun!

Claire