There is no doubt COVID has changed our lives this past year. With changes in the school system, it may be a challenge finding activities at home for children with a large age gap.
Whether it’s improving communication skills, boosting creativity, or a solution to sibling rivalry, any form of communication between age gap siblings is beneficial.
Below we have listed a few activities that will foster interactions between siblings with a large age gap who may not have much in common.
SENSORY PLAY
Sensory Play is great for stimulating your senses, but toddlers aren’t the only ones who enjoy them. There are many wonderful sensory activities that older children enjoy.
Sensory activities increase cognitive development and are great for improving fine motor skills in younger children and improves focus for older children.
Sensory play is hands-on and allows children to use their senses. It improves concentration and children can explore new experiences through touch, sound, smell, sight, and even taste. It also provides a calming, relaxing effect.
Hugs and Bugs Club have engaged families in the best sensory activities New York and New Jersey offers. Click here to read about our experience at Hugs and Bugs Club.
PUPPET SHOWS
Puppet shows offer a complete theatrical experience for children. They can create their puppets and display them in a fun and creative way.
This encourages bravery by allowing them to express themselves through improv. It’s also a great way for older children to express their feelings.
Puppet shows increase communication skills and create interactions between siblings. Allowing them to dress up and perform can help boost confidence and enhances critical thinking.
Click here to learn more about the benefits of improv.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Arts and Crafts are a lot of fun for siblings to do together. It’s simple and great for exploring their creativity. Plus, it can create a very calming effect that benefits parents as well.
Arts and Crafts is a great way for them to express their feelings. Younger children learn colors and textures, and it improves dexterity in both siblings.
Activity books and coloring books also create a wonderful learning experience.
OUTDOOR EXPLORATION
Outdoor activities are extremely important for the growth and development of children at any age. Age gap siblings can learn a lot from each other while exploring outdoors.
Being outside provides not only sunshine and fresh air, but it allows children to be in tune with nature.
Whether it’s finding leaves, rocks or identifying animals and their characteristics, observing what’s around them helps them learn about their environment.
LEGOS AND OTHER STACKING TOYS
Unless you accidentally step on them, who doesn’t love Legos?
Blocks and other stacking toys can improve organizational skills in older children and improve hand-eye coordination in younger ones.
It’s a wonderful learning experience because older siblings teach younger ones about colors while also learning about cause and effect.
PRETEND PLAY
There are many benefits to Pretend Play between age gap siblings. It’s a great way for siblings to interact and learn from each other.
Younger siblings emulate older ones, so allowing them to explore their independence can boost confidence, making older siblings positive role models to younger ones.
Click here to learn about the benefits of Pretend Play.
COOKING FUN
Cooking activities are a form of sensory play that encourages great interactive and messy fun for siblings. Whether it’s pizza making, cupcakes, or cookies, there are tons of benefits that children will enjoy.
It encourages independence in both children and enhances fine motor skills and cognitive development.
Older siblings learn measurements and how to follow instructions. It’s engaging and allows children to explore their creativity through food.
STORY TIME
The attention spans of age gap siblings can be quite different, but having your older child read to the younger helps them practice reading, and it helps the younger develop better language and communication skills.
When children read, they focus on what’s on the pages. This increases concentration and fosters growth and development by exercising the brain.
Storytime creates sibling bonding and encourages imagination.
Reading nooks are great for encouraging quiet time and set the mood for some happy reading fun. Click here to learn how to create your own reading nook at home.
