Playing Outside

Do you find playing with your kids really boring? I sort of do!

Here's my trick that seems to, in my case, make it a lot better: play how you want with the toys. Like, try to actually have fun instead of doing what your kid wants. It works because:
(1) Your kids see you having fun. That makes them happy.
(2) You kind of have fun. That makes you happy.
(3) Your kids learn that playing with toys is fun and makes one happy.
(4) Your kids maybe want to play the way you're playing (sometimes they don't). Then they learn a new way to play. OR...
(5) Your kids don't want to play the way you are. Then they learn how to compromise or coexist.

It... doesn't work perfectly. You can't be selfish and take the toys and do whatever you want. But I was surprised that acting a little more selfish in playtime seemed to make it more fun for everyone. So if I'd rather build a rainbow than a house, that's what I build. 

If you dread playtime because you're forced to do the same boring thing over and over, try mixing it up by playing in a way that's interesting to you!