Kids have so much natural curiosity and energy, it seems a shame to set them in front of the tube as a regular activity. Playtime should ideally serve to forward a c h i l d ' s development across the board, but in true play and fun mode. For example, encourage regular physical activity with sports activities and walks in the park. Spark the c h i l d ' s imagination and creativity with art projects. These types of children activities satisfy both objectives. Let's take a look at some activities for children that provide lots of fun for the kids while promoting healthy age-appropriate development.

Craft projects help children develop their motor skills, creative nature and problem solving abilities. Making colored paper daisy chains and clay objects are a couple of examples of good activities for younger children. Older kids enjoy weaving and beading kits.

Science can be an excellent and favorite activity for children. Kids are very curious about nature. They love to dig around in the dirt and get to know the bugs, birds and plants. Get an ant farm. Go to the hobby shop and buy an inexpensive microscope and a prism. Kids love checking things out with a microscope - it's a whole new look at the world they want to understand. Prisms are fascinating to kids.

Although it's true most kids spend too much time in front of the TV, judicious use of the tube can work for you. The Discovery Channel and Animal Planet provide programs that enrich a child's knowledge in terms even young children can understand. Kids who see these programs when quite young often continue to catch these programs on their own, well into their teens. So don't discount TV altogether. This strategy allows the kids to feel they aren't deprived of television time, while being a terrific activity for children of any age.

Video games are a subject of some controversy among parents, educators and psychologists. Some say it should be allowed only on a limited basis, so kids don't become totally screen oriented. However, there have been a number of studies which show that video games prove to boost motor skills and complex problem solving abilities remarkably when compared with kids who don't play. If you screen out the violent and aggressive games, video games are excellent activities for children. To prevent the addictive potential of video games, just set aside approved time periods for this play.

Any activities for children that involve putting things together are recommended. This includes paper projects, L e g o s (TM), T i n k e r toys (TM) and Lincoln Logs(TM). Clay, paper m a c h e and beading or weaving projects fit in here too.

When you think about it, the best kinds of activities for children, that also promote healthy development, are ones the kids love best. You just need to give a little direction.