Have you been thinking about taking up a hobby recently? Do you have kids? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then it’s worth seeing if you can combine the two. It’s always good for you to have a hobby of your own, but if you want a stronger bond with your children, then you are also going to want to take the time to find one you can do with them. It’s true to say that not all hobbies are going to be ideal for younger people, so it’s about finding one that you can both enjoy doing while spending time together.
We know that for some people this can be tough, which is why we’ve written this article. Down below, we’re going to be giving you some of the different options that we’ve come up with to help you on your way. If you would like to find out more about this topic, keep reading.
We’re going to start by looking at baking. Baking is one of those things that people often assume they won’t like, when really there aren’t any grounds to think that. Often, baking is associated with females, particularly older females or housewives, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be for everyone. Even if you are a busy parent, taking the time to bake with your kids teaches them how to do this, improves their fine motor skills, and so much more.
The great thing about this is that you get to bake delicious treats that you can then share with the people that you love. Your child gets to do something that they enjoy, and they get a treat at the end of it, so what could be better?
Now, the reason that many people end up not liking baking is because you have to be quite precise if you want to get it right. This is not to say that this is always the case, but it requires a lot of adjusting and trying new things to really learn how to bake properly. If you don’t have the patience for this, or constantly purchasing different ingredients could put financial strain on you, it’s best to try another hobby.
Yoga
We know that a lot of people don’t typically associate yoga with children, but there’s no reason that both you and your child cannot do this. Yoga is a fantastic form of exercise for all people, whether they are young or old, in shape or out of shape, and it’s also incredible for your mental health if you can get into it.
It’s true to say that yoga can be challenging, and if you’re worried that your child won’t be able to do much of it, there’s no need to stress. You will likely find that your children have an easier time getting into all of the different positions than you do, and it will help them with their flexibility, core strength and overall wellness for years to come. It’s a great way to de-stress together, while also getting some exercise in.
Gaming
Gaming is often demonized by the media for one reason or another, and it’s time that we got rid of the idea that gaming is the problem. Yes, some people have issues with gaming addiction and other problems with it, but this is a problem for the individual, not for the whole gaming industry. There are ways to safely game, and as long as everyone is adhering to them then there really isn’t much of an issue.
Now, in terms of turning it into an awesome hobby for you and your kids, you should think about it. If you like games and if they like games, there are so many different types that you can play. You might decide that you want to play fun video games like Mario Kart together which is always a family favorite. Or, if you want to go for more strategic based games that aid with your brain and memory, then you may want to teach yourself and your child to play something like chess or even sudoku.
You don’t even have to stick with one type of gaming if you don’t want to, as there is no rule that says you can’t enjoy more than one. You and your kids can play whatever games you want, as long as you remember to keep your eye out for the signs that a problem is forming.
Collecting
If you’ve never thought about collecting anything before, then now might be the time. It’s not for everyone, and it can cost quite a lot of money depending on how much you get into it, but some people really enjoy collecting the thing that they love. For example, some of the most common things to collect are stamps, coins, comic books and things like this. You can collect anything though, as long as there are many variations of it, and as long as you are interested in what you’re collecting that’s all that matters.
Let’s look at an example of how this might work. Let’s say you and your child have a shared interest when it comes to comic books – you could work on finding the different editions together, the rare comics and so much more. It’s definitely something to consider if you have this shared interest.
Reading
Reading doesn’t have to be a hobby that you only ever do on your own. That’s not to say that you can’t, but if you and your kids both love a good book, then reading together might be a lovely experience for you both. Of course, you have to ensure that you are reading age appropriate material for them, but we’re sure that you can find books that appeal to you both. A common series of books read by both children and parents are the Harry Potter books, so they might be worth giving a go.
You can block out time to read together, with one of you reading a chapter and then the other taking over for a chapter. This way, you’re both involved in the reading, but one person is not having to do all of it out loud, unless you would prefer this. It’s entirely up to you how you do it, as it’s about what works best for you and your kids.
Arts And Crafts
Finally, one of the more common hobbies that you can take up with your child is arts and crafts. We’re sure that you’ve heard of numerous people doing this over the years as it’s fairly standard for parents to do this with their kids, but you can take this further and change it from a little activity you do to a full blown hobby. Who knows, you may even make something incredible with them, fostering their love of being creative.
So, there you have it then. These are some of the hobbies that you can consider taking up with your children to ensure that you both have something to look forward to. Of course, alongside your hobby with your children you can have one that is entirely your own, but this is a good way to bond with, and form a strong relationship with your kids. Remember, one day you might not have the option to do these things with them anymore, and you will regret the time that you wasted saying that you were too busy or simply not wanting to participate. We wish you the best of luck finding a hobby for you and them!