Dads and kids: Making paper doll chains

Making a paper doll chain is a perfect activity for dads and children on a sleepy afternoon. It is simple and does not require either time or money. Most importantly, it will be an exercise in creativity that the children will surely enjoy.

Things you will need:

* Some cardboard or hard paper

* A pair of scissors

* Pen, crayons, markers, and color pencils

* Glue

* Colorful paper or fabric scraps, buttons, beads, ribbons, sequins, and stickers to decorate the dolls

Steps to make the doll chain:

* Cut out a broad strip of the cardboard or paper. This could be about 10 cm high and as long as you want to make your doll chain.

* Fold about 6 cm of one end of the strip. At the point where the folded end overlaps, fold the strip again, but in the other direction. Go on making similar, alternating folds, so that the entire strip is folded into accordion style panels.

* Hold the folded panels bunched up tightly, with the top panel facing you. Help your children to draw the outline of a doll on this top panel, with the hands and legs spread out so that these extend to the panel borders.

* Carefully cut around the doll, taking care to retain the folds where the hands and legs touch the borders.

* Now unfold the strip to see your chain of dolls, joined by their hands and legs.

* Let your children decorate the dolls using the crayons, markers, color pencils, pieces of fabric, beads, ribbons, etc.

* You can even help your kids cut out little shapes from fabric scraps that they can use to create colorful dresses for the dolls.

You can use this chain to decorate the walls of your living room. You could even stick it around a lampshade, hang it as a mobile, or use it to decorate your child's door.

Dine Out with Your Baby

Just because you are a parent now does not mean you can't occasionally dine out without feeling guilty about leaving the baby at home. The problem is that your baby, who may not find the prospect highly exciting, could end up feeling bored or neglected.

A little forethought and planning however can ensure that eating out will be as much fun for you as for your child. Here are some valuable tips to make dining out with your baby a pleasant experience for you:

• Keep your baby busy: Carry interesting toys or games to keep your baby engrossed in playing while you are at the eatery.


• Ensure you baby is comfortable and safe: You may carry your baby’s favorite chair to the eatery so your baby feels at home. Alternately, take some time to choose a suitable place in the restaurant—far away from kitchen odors and noise.


• Be ready for food-spills: Bring in your baby’s towels, diapers, and napkins to take care of those food-spills as soon as they may occur.


• Order your baby's favorite food: Your baby needs to be equally attracted by the food on its platter, as you would be with yours.

Dine in a quiet and un-crowded eatery: Crowded restaurants will tend to make your baby restless and cranky.

• Reserve early and pre-order the food: Avoid long waits to be seated and consider ordering the baby’s food immediately after sitting down.  Most restaurants will have simple pasta and butter and steamed veggie options for babies.   Don’t hesitate to ask.

Know Why Kids Scribble

Most children are fascinated by the possibilities of a pencil or crayon stub and become engrossed in their activity as they scribble away for hours. As a parent, you may find this a heaven-sent solution to keep your kids quiet and relaxed in their own self-contained zone.

However, you may worry that your child is obsessed with this one activity, and wish he or she would play at something else. It is important for a parent to understand that scribbling may actually serve a greater purpose than mere entertainment. Here are some of the major advantages that scribbling has to offer to children:

• It helps develop independent thinking in children, since a scribbling child gets to think without bounds and without help from anyone.


• It helps develop greater finger control in children, enabling them to be fast and efficient with activities such as writing or brushing.


• It introduces children to the power of the writing—through the process of scribbling, your child learns that a lot can be achieved by writing on a blank space.


• It allows children to express their thoughts and feelings without any inhibitions. This can be a very good way of letting out both negative and positive emotions in a pleasant and subtle way.

With these benefits and more, you would want to ensure your child continues scribbling whenever possible. Here are some tips on how you can make this activity a pleasure for all:

• Teach your child that scribbling is acceptable only on certain surfaces such as notebooks and sand and not on walls, or any other places.


• Provide your child with notebooks of their own and always bring paper and pens to restaurants or anywhere your kids will have to wait. Put an extra stash of pens and paper in the car, so you always have some on hand.


• Give your kids some good educational themes to encourage constructive scribbling—like learning to draw buildings or a simple room.

Making Paper Doll Chain with Your Kids

Making a paper doll chain is a perfect activity for dads and children on a sleepy afternoon. It is simple and does not require either time or money. Most importantly, it will be an exercise in creativity that the children will surely enjoy.

Things you will need:

• Some cardboard or hard paper
• A pair of scissors
• Pen, crayons, markers, and color pencils
• Glue
• Colorful paper or fabric scraps, buttons, beads, ribbons, sequins, and stickers to decorate the dolls

Steps to make the doll chain:

• Cut out a broad strip of the cardboard or paper. This could be about 10 cm high and as long as you want to make your doll chain.

• Fold about 6 cm of one end of the strip. At the point where the folded end overlaps, fold the strip again, but in the other direction. Go on making similar, alternating folds, so that the entire strip is folded into accordion style panels.

• Hold the folded panels bunched up tightly, with the top panel facing you. Help your children to draw the outline of a doll on this top panel, with the hands and legs spread out so that these extend to the panel borders.

• Carefully cut around the doll, taking care to retain the folds where the hands and legs touch the borders.

• Now unfold the strip to see your chain of dolls, joined by their hands and legs.

• Let your children decorate the dolls using the crayons, markers, color pencils, pieces of fabric, beads, ribbons, etc.

• You can even help your kids cut out little shapes from fabric scraps that they can use to create colorful dresses for the dolls.

You can use this chain to decorate the walls of your living room. You could even stick it around a lampshade, hang it as a mobile, or use it to decorate your child's door.

Building a Tree House for Your Kids

Building a tree house is a great project idea for a dad. For one thing, it is a fun activity for the kids that also has learning value to it. Besides, a tree house means that the kids have their own special place to spend quality hours with their friends in the safe environment of your own backyard.

While you don't have to be an engineering expert to build a tree house, it does require some thought and care. Apart from the crucial safety aspect, you also have to ensure that your tree house is functional and aesthetic. Here are tips to help you build one.

1. Select an appropriate tree: As the foundation for the tree house, you need to select an appropriate tree. To start, it has to be big and sturdy enough. Ideally, it would have to be one with the 'V' shaped formation to support your house. Lastly, ensure that your tree is located away from potential hazards such as high voltage wires.

2. Plan a foundation: A strong foundation is essential to hold up your tree house. Decide the size of the house you are building and determine whether you will need extra supporting posts for balance.

3. Build a base: Once the foundation is in place, you can start building a strong base for your house. A simple way to do this is to lay out flat boards across the branches (and supporting posts, if you have used them) and nailing or fastening them together to make the house; make sure you don't leave nail ends sticking out to hurt your kids. An even better way, especially if this is your first tree house, would be to refer to some tree house plans and building directions featured in books or on the internet.

4. Finish the house: Once the main structure of your house is complete, it's up to you to add the smaller details to make it more appealing to children. They will be very happy to help you decorate it the way they'd like it. Don't forget to include a ladder, preferably one made of sturdy rope, that the kids can drop down or pull up as they want.

How to Play with Your Ten Month Old Baby

Babies around ten months of age will enjoy being introduced to new toys or games. This is because they become increasingly curious and variety stimulates them. Exposure to newer experiences helps their ability to perceive and understand things better.

These are some of the ways in which you can play with you 10 month old child:

• Encourage your child to imitate what you do. Clap your hands, pull your nose, toss a ball and get your child to do these things just like you. Then start improvising on the theme. For instance, you pull your child’s nose, so that your child pulls yours.

• Children at this age are fascinated about how things fit inside other things. Show your child how to collect assorted toys and put them into a box. Then teach your child to empty the box into another container.

• Hide a toy inside a box or bag and encourage your child to retrieve it.

• Teach your child to balance blocks to build a column and then give it a nudge to see it collapse.

• Show your child how to push a ball or a toy truck along. Play a game where both of you push the toy across the floor to each other.

It is important that you remember that these play sessions are primarily meant to be enjoyed. Do not force your child to ‘learn’ at the cost of fun. Allow you’re the baby space to grow and develop. However, if you are concerned about some aspect of your child’s behavior, consult your pediatrician.