Once the end-of-day school bell rings, most children are excited that they get to go home and play! For some children this means playtime in the backyard with siblings or friends; for others it might mean sitting down playing video games on a tablet. How kids play is incredibly important to their development and it can also make a big impact on how well they do in school. More parents are encouraged to make playtime educational for kids – but that doesn’t mean they have to sacrifice fun. These educational activities that kids can do after school and on the weekends will allow them to continue developing their minds while they have a great time.

1. Make a flipbook

A flipbook is a cool little book of cartoons that are put into motion as you flip through the pages. Kids are taught how to create a story sequence with a beginning, a middle, and an end. They can draw a different scene on each piece of paper and then staple the pages together to complete the book.

2. Cook a recipe

Cooking with your kids can be a very educational activity and it’s also a great skill/hobby for them to learn. Help strengthen their math skills as they learn about fractions while they add ½ cup milk, 1/3 cup butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, etc. Plus you’ll get to enjoy an extra special meal together as a family once it’s ready!

3. Start a book club

This activity can be done just with other family members or also with neighbors and your child’s friends. You can pick one new book to read each week and at the end of the week gather together and have the children come up with discussion questions about the book. This will help your child to develop critical thinking skills and improve reading comprehension.

4. Make your own musical instruments

It’s easy to make your own music using some simple items from around the house like a tissue box, rubber bands, paper towel tube, beads, etc. You can make your own maracas, box guitar, or even a rain stick! It just takes a little creativity and then your family can have its own jam session.

5. Outdoor exploration

On a nice day, take your kids to a park where they can explore their surroundings and observe nature. Give each of them their own exploration journal and encourage them to jot down notes about what they see. Have them take some time to draw leaves and then go home and do some online research to try and figure out what kind of tree it came from. They can also follow squirrels and track down birds and make notes about their behavior.

6. Plant a garden

Planting a garden can be a lot of fun but it also teaches kids about science and nutrition, while also teaching them to have patience. If you don’t have room in your backyard for a garden, try to find a nearby community garden or park to volunteer at with your kids. They can also keep a journal to take note of how often the plants need to be watered and how much they grow each day.

Written by Alicia Overby - Founder & President of Baby Elephant Ears

Alicia is wife, mother, and creator of Baby Elephant Ears. Baby Elephant Ears was created out of parental concern, not financial desire. In 2005, when their second child was an infant, he cried all the time and just couldn't seem to get comfortable.

After seeking advice and suggestion from the medical community and alternative medicine, they eventually ended up in the chiropractors office where their baby was successfully treated for asubluxation, discomfort most likely the result of the strain during labor, which was now being exacerbated by the normal lack of infant neck strength. Only proper neck, head, and back alignment would offer him relief. When they couldn't find a product to give their baby the necessary support, Alicia took matters into her own hands and crafted her own infant support pillow. The first Baby Elephant Ears was born!

For more information, visit www.babyelephantears.com.