With school being out for summer, some parents may be looking for creative ways to spend quality time with their kids. Day camps, music lessons or spending the afternoons with Grandma are common summer pastimes for kids, but when it comes down to it, most children enjoy spending time with Mom and Dad. One way to spend some great family time together while also being productive, is to plan out a few simple home improvement projects that you and your kids can work on together. Not only will this keep your youngsters busy, it will provide the perfect opportunity to get some quality time with them.
Here are a few more reasons to do a family home improvement project:
- Gives your kids a chance to use cognitive skills, keep their bodies and minds active and prevent boredom.
- Helps keep them away from mind-numbing distractions like video games or cartoons.
- Gives them a chance to learn about home safety and how to properly use tools.
Need some ideas for kid-friendly home improvement projects? Here are a few we came up with:
1. Plant a garden.
Would your child enjoy helping you dig in the dirt? Maybe they?d enjoy helping you plan and create a small vegetable garden? Kids like to help in decision making, so maybe take them to the nursery to help you pick out flowers or seeds. Kids can also help with the tasks of digging, watering and fertilizing. A garden is great too, because it will teach kids the responsibility that comes with taking care of something.
Check out the following video for a cool pallet-to-garden conversion project. Kids can help with planting the plants, sweeping the soil into the slats and watering. Older kids could help staple the landscaping cloth, but be sure to provide adult supervision at all times.
2. Paint the mailbox.
If your mailbox could use a fresh coat of paint, why not get your kid to help out? This is a pretty simple painting job that can be completed in a day. Have your child help you wash the dirt and debris off the surface, then let them help you dry it off. If your child is old enough, show them how to properly paint the surface, then hand them the brush and let them give it a try. Younger children who may not be as coordinated, can still be good helpers for this project. Have them stir the paint, or give them a small section (and a small brush) to paint with. Just be sure to provide supervision at all times.
3. ?Make concrete stepping stones.
These are simple, easy and fun to do ? though they can be a bit messy, so be warned! You can usually find kits for these at craft or home improvement stores. The process is pretty straightforward. You mix the concrete, pour it into a mold, and decorate/personalize the stone before the mixture hardens. If you can?t find a kit, don?t worry. You can create these concrete stepping stones on your own by gathering all the necessary materials.
Watch this video for ideas on how to get started:
4. Add solar lights to your yard or walkway.
This is super easy. Your kids can most likely do this all on their own (still with supervision, of course), as all it requires is literally putting a light in the ground. Buy some inexpensive ones from your local hardware or bargain store (the kind that are mounted on stakes) and have your kids help decide where to place them. Once the sun goes down, go outside as a family to admire the new look. Better yet, if the weather?s nice, grab some snacks, sit on the porch and enjoy the pretty?nighttime?view as a family.
As a final tip, before you go planning a total home renovation, keep in mind that every child?s skill and comfort level with handling projects will vary. Don?t give your kid more than they can handle, and be sure to always supervise their work. Remember ? safety first!
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