Ideas for activities

[Ky]

Hi Guys

My husband and I have taken a 9yo boy under our wing who's Dad doesn't spend any time with him (on weekend visits he is dumped on his grandparents!) and really want to get some ideas as to what my dh can do with him to encourage him in his path towards manhood.

He is an active young man, sensitive heart and easily hurt by unkind words. We have thought of activities like kicking a ball around, fishing, bush walking, building a go kart together etc. We have a 2 ½ year old boy that we would sometimes like to include and are also very tight financially so the ideas need to be preferably free!

Any help would be much appreciated as there are times when his Mum needs time out and my dh wants to be a positive roll model in the time we spend together. He is a great kid who calls our kids his little brother and sister and loves them to pieces.

His Mum has done a wonderful job in bringing him up to be a polite and considerate child and he is a real credit to her. We really want to provide some positive male role modelling for him ... he has such amazing potential to be a man of influence and a wonderful father one day.

Thankyou ... if you have read this far I musn't have waffled too much - :D

[jembelina]

This is really heartwarming to hear :) Kids are so easily entertained around the home, and he is sure to benefit just by being involved in your normal family activities and witnessing how your husband is within his family (does that make sense?). Here are some ideas just off the top of my head....
- helping wash the car
- does hubby cook? get them to cook up a storm together for everyone to sit and enjoy
- make or buy a kite, take it to a nearby park and fly it
- board games
- do you have a video camera - you could make a mini movie - get everyone involved with dress ups and lines, etc. Then sit down and watch it with a big bowl of popcorn

I'll ask hubby if he has any good ideas (given that I'm a girl and could be completely off in what 9 yr old boys find fun!) and post again if we think of anything else. I find what you are doing really inspiring :)

[Chickadee]

Building a tree house or fort, probably at his mum's place if she's got a yard and good tree - I'm not sure you'd want your 2.5 year old wanting up there.

[Ky]

Thanks heaps ... we will definitely try some of these ideas!

I have read raising boys and agree that it is fantastic ... I am from and all girl family and need all of the help I can get with having an active son! Will read it again for more ideas.

Unfortunately, no decent trees and we are all at rented properties, so will just have to make do with another project ... I wonder if a sandpit would be good?

Thanks again!

[flower]

Just watch the spiders in a sandpit..I think you need to keep it covered...oh and cats!!!
If your renting: try potted vegies..(like cherry tomatoes)..??
O's mom.

[Elfin]

Doing some gardening is a good one, bike riding, your son would probably enjoy being on the back in a baby seat. Or mountain bike riding along some trails if you have the bikes. How about hiring a canoe or even a small boat doesn't cost a lot. Camping in the backyard if you have tent or camping somewhere else.

Just going for a walk along the beach or some water and having an ice cream. Having an ice cream and play in the playground at maccas.

How about going to some sport matches by this I mean the local ones that either cost nothing or very little. Look at cars in car yards. My dh and ds love doing this.
Paint the fence.

I think that is about all I can think of.