Are you a foster carer in Scotland who enjoys coming up with activities and ideas that are both fun and enriching for your foster child? Do you sometimes find yourself struggling to come up with an idea in the moment, and would love to have a list that you can fall back on? Keeping kids engaged and busy isn’t always easy, which is why it is so helpful to do some research and expand your options.
Here’s a look at five fun activities that will prove so enjoyable that you’ll likely want to make them a part of your routine with your foster child.
Board Game Night – Rotate Your Options
Board games are one of those things that no matter how young or old you happen to be, they always provide a good time. Because there are games meant for all ages, it’s also easy to find one that will appeal to your foster child.
You can make family board game night a weekly, bi-weekly or even monthly occurrence, switching up the game each time. This ensures it stays engaging and fresh for kids. Let them also voice an opinion about what game they want to play.
Some of the best family-friendly board games include:
- Ticket to Ride
- Dobble
- Throw Throw Burrito
- Catan
- Qwirkle
- Monopoly
Movie Night Complete with Theatre-Themed Snacks
Here’s another activity that you’ll want to turn into a routine and that’s family movie night complete with theatre-themed snacks. Let’s face it, a movie is better when you’ve got a fresh bowl of popcorn and a selection of sweets in front of you. Thanks to all the streaming services available, you likely have access to a pretty impressive library of family favourites.
Family Cooking Class Is In Session
How about an activity that isn’t just fun, but a great learning opportunity for your foster child? This is a chance to teach them kitchen safety and cooking skills. A family cooking class gives you a chance to learn a new recipe together, create unique dishes and revel in the tasty results. If you are fostering a younger child, be sure to look for child-friendly recipes. The goal should be to try a new recipe and/or cuisine each time you cook together.
Nature Walks to Explore Scotland’s Beauty
Nature walks offer two advantages: they give children a chance to learn about the nature surrounding them, and it’s also excellent exercise. If they enjoy wildlife viewing, you can even make a game of it, keeping track of how many different animals you spot.
Agency Hosted Events and Activities Shouldn’t Be Missed
Family-friendly activities and events are also offered regularly by fostering agencies such as fosteringpeople.co.uk. Be sure to check out the calendar of events so you know what’s coming up.
Leaning into family-friendly activities such as these ensures that your foster child never feels bored, and depending on which activities you do, there may even be a learning aspect to them.