Fun Things to Do with Kids: Must-Try Family Activities for Mums

Are family activities important for kids?

Family bonding activities play a vital role in the lives of both children and parents. While it may be challenging to find things to do with your kids especially if they are younger, it can be a rewarding experience for the whole family.

For parents, spending quality time with their children can significantly reduce stress and improve mental health.¹ Engaging in shared activities also strengthens the bond between mother and child, fostering a sense of connection and belonging.

Children benefit greatly from family bonding activities as well. These experiences contribute to their emotional development, helping them learn to express and manage their feelings which subsequently lowers the risk of behavioural issues.¹ Family activities also provide opportunities for children to develop essential social skills, such as communication, cooperation and problem-solving.¹ Additionally, engaging in these activities together as a family allows your child a safe space to learn and explore, giving them the chance to stimulate their cognitive development and enhance their understanding of the world around them at their own pace.

What kind of things can you do with your kids?

When it comes to spending quality time with your kids, there are plenty of fun and beneficial activities and things to do that can foster their growth, encourage creativity and deepen your bond. Here are some ideas:

Explore the outdoors

Exploring the great outdoors with your children offers countless benefits. It provides fresh air, opportunities for physical exercise and the chance to connect with nature. Studies have shown that time spent outdoors can improve mental health, increase focus and boost mood.² Kids also gain a deeper appreciation for the environment and develop stronger problem-solving skills through outdoor play. Ready to venture outside with your little ones? Discover more in Parenting Activities: Get Wild With Mum.

Indoor camping adventure

Can’t make it to the national park or jungle for a camping trip? Bring the adventure indoors! Indoor camping fosters creativity and provides a fun break from the everyday routine. It allows children to stretch their imaginations as they set up tents or pillow forts, share stories by flashlight and pretend they’re under the stars. This activity is perfect for bonding, teaching problem-solving and building independence without leaving the comfort of home. Start your cosy adventure with Natural Parenting: Indoor Camping Adventure!

Baking outside of the box

Baking with your kids is a fantastic way to teach them essential life skills like measuring, following instructions and working together. But when you take baking “outside of the box,” you encourage even more creativity and experimentation. By trying new recipes, adding unique ingredients or even decorating in imaginative ways, children not only learn the basics but also get to think outside the traditional baking rules. This kind of creative cooking fosters problem-solving, boosts confidence and makes for some deliciously fun memories. Get inspired and try something new with Baking Outside Of The Box.

Messy play with your child

Messy play is more than just fun—it’s crucial for sensory development and motor skills. Whether it’s finger painting, playing with mud or experimenting with different textures, messy play gives kids the freedom to explore their senses in a hands-on way. It also encourages creativity, problem-solving and even helps with language development as children describe what they’re experiencing. For more ideas, head over to Messy Play with Your Little Ones.

Work out with kids

Working out with your kids can be a fun and energising way to stay active together. It helps build healthy habits early on and boosts confidence, strength and coordination in children. Exercising as a family promotes teamwork, offers a great bonding experience and sets a strong example for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Need some ideas on how to get started? Take a look at Work Out with Mum.

For other fun activities that help children develop their senses and encourage natural curiosity, check out the article Nurturing Senses & Abilities Through Play: Sensory Activities for Children.

Family bonding activities are essential for children’s emotional and social development. Whether it's spending time outdoors, baking together or getting active as a family, these shared experiences strengthen relationships and create lasting memories. Such activities not only build trust and communication but also help kids develop important life skills. To keep up with all the running, jumping and exploring, children need the right nutrition. Consider supplementing their diet with a trusted milk formula like Friso^® Gold, which provides the essential nutrients they need for energy and growth, helping them stay active and healthy.

Introducing Friso^® Gold Formula Milk/Susu

Try Friso^® Gold Step 3 and Friso^® Gold Step 4. Made with milk and processed only once with LocNutri™ Technology to preserve more than 90% of nutrients, Friso^® Gold combines the magical goodness of nature with science to bring you easy to digest milk with more than 50 essential nutrients to help your child grow stronger from the inside.​

Friso^® Gold now with NOVAS™ Signature Milk with naturally small molecules and soft structure, has no added flavour for easy digestion so your child can be stronger inside. Additionally, it now contains 2’-FL to support your child’s natural body defences. Curious to know the basics of formula milk ingredients?

DHA, AA, Omega 3 & 6 - To fuel learning growth. DHA is important for optimal visual and cognitive development.³ AA is recognised for its key role for optimal health, cognition and development during foetal and early postnatal life.⁴ Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are important for normal development of the brain, nervous system, sensory organs and intelligence.⁵ 

Calcium, Protein, Vitamin & Minerals - Muscle and bone growth. Calcium helps in the normal growth and development of bones and teeth. Protein is essential for your child’s growth, maintenance and repair for the body.⁶ Vitamins and minerals are vital for growth and metabolism.⁷

2'-FL, GOS, Nucleotides & Bifido Lactis - Helps absorb key nutrients & build strong immune systems. GOS are prebiotics that can help with constipation and more.⁸ Nucleotides can promote healthy gastrointestinal and immunological growth in young children.⁹ Bifido Lactis is important for diarrhoea prevention as well as immune and gut maturation.¹⁰ 2'-FL, also known as 2′-fucosyllactose, acts as a prebiotic, selectively nourishing the beneficial bacteria in a child's developing gut microbiome.^11,12 This targeted nourishment is essential for supporting the proper maturation of a child's natural body defences and digestive system during their early years.^13,14,15,16

For more information, check out our guide on what to look for in formulated milk powder for children, the various ingredients, what to avoid and key considerations to keep in mind when choosing formula milk for your child right here!

Ensuring your child has good digestion is crucial not just for their immediate comfort but to also prepare them for a healthier, happier future. Keen on trying it out? You may request a sample: Try a free 1-day trial pack or 50% off for 6 days-trial pack.

References

1. https://highlandspringsclinic.org/the-top-ten-benefits-of-spending-time-with-family
2. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/power-of-play/Pages/playing-outside-why-its-important-for-kids.aspx
3. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu5072777
4. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu11030602
5. https://organicsbestshop.com/blogs/organicsbestclub/why-omega-3-omega-6-is-important-for-children#:~:text=Omega%203%20and%206%20fatty,the%20first%20months%20after%20birth. 
6. https://www.srnutrition.co.uk/2020/07/the-importance-of-protein-for-childrens-growth/#:~:text=Protein%20is%20essential%20for%20your,vitamin%20D%2C%20calcium%20and%20selenium.
7. Singh, Harinder & Marjina, & Singh, Amandeep & Sharma, Deepak & Singh, Gurmeet. (2020). Role of Mineral and Vitamin for Children and Pregnant Women. 19. 107-115.
8. Fanaro S, Boehm G, Garssen J, Knol J, Mosca F, Stahl B, Vigi V. Galacto-oligosaccharides and long-chain fructo-oligosaccharides as prebiotics in milk formulas: a review. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 2005 Oct;94(449):22-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2005.tb02150.x. PMID: 16214761.
9. https://www.einmilk.com/benefits-of-nucleotides-for-children/
10. https://doi.org/10.4137/CMPed.S33096
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6116142/
12. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30241407/
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6629589/
14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6164445/
15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10084749/
16. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26154029/

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