--- title: The House Fairy | Pam's Blog | Playing with Kids description: Playing with Kids | Pam's blogs reflect a celebration of life and encourage families to be organized just enough to be punctual, get enough rest, eat healthy, complete daily chores, get sunshine and exercise and enjoy each other. --- Hello, Friend[Access Your Account](https://www.housefairy.org/my-account) ### Happy Kids,  Happier Moms [![facebook](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/file-422096398-png/social_buttons/facebook.png "facebook")](http://www.facebook.com/therealhousefairy) [![twitter](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/file-426374790-png/social_buttons/twitter.png "twitter")](https://twitter.com/HouseFairyPam) [![pinterest](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/file-426359165-png/social_buttons/pinterest.png "pinterest")](http://www.pinterest.com/thehousefairy/) [![youtube](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/file-426364010-png/social_buttons/youtube.png "youtube")](http://www.youtube.com/user/MakeItFunVideo/featured) [The House Fairy](https://www.housefairy.org/) ## [6 Fun Things to Do in October Before it's Over](https://blog.housefairy.org/things-to-do-in-october-before-it-is-over) Posted by [Pam Young](https://blog.housefairy.org/author/pam-young) Oct 23, 2014 9:00:00 AM [![](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/hub/341571/file-430717438.png) ](https://blog.housefairy.org/things-to-do-in-october-before-it-is-over) **** *Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. * *Always work with it, not against it.* ** ~Eckhart Tolle** ## **1. See the sights** October in our state of Washington and its neighbor Oregon are stunningly beautiful now. Take a drive through the countryside and it’s not too late to get one more picnic in. What are some famous sights in your area? Go check them out. If you have already been to them, try to discover something new about them. If there aren’t any famous sights in your area, then go discover ones that aren’t famous. ## **2. Stock up on Scary Accessories ** Be sure to replenish your stock of of bloody ears, warts, sores, scars, witchy wigs, noses and glasses, eye patches and such, while the stores offer them. There's nothing worse than needing a bloody eyeball in the middle of March!  ## **** ## **3. Take a discovery walk** Things are always changing, but October seems to inspire Mother Nature to order up some drastic alterations. I like to think of her shopping some mystical catalogue, oblivious to what current color schemes are being pushed in fashion news and saying, “Oh, orange, red, yellow, lime green and brown, yes that’s what my trees are gonna wear!” ## **** [Read More](https://blog.housefairy.org/things-to-do-in-october-before-it-is-over) Topics: [Family Games](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/family-games), [Playing with Kids](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/playing-with-kids), [Daily Thought,](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/daily-thought) ## [Learn Some Fun Thoughts Your Kids are Thinking!](https://blog.housefairy.org/kids-bored-1-great-way-to-change-that) Posted by [HouseFairy](https://blog.housefairy.org/author/housefairy) Aug 22, 2014 6:00:00 AM ##### Aug 23, 2013 # Quiz Time! House Fairy here! I suggest you have a pad of paper and pen available so you can write down your kids’ responses, because you may learn something about them that you didn’t know. You could also be ready to ask them some questions of your own, after the House Fairy asks hers. By the way, did you know your kids will love to be “interviewed,” and they’ll feel so important when you take notes?  [Read More](https://blog.housefairy.org/kids-bored-1-great-way-to-change-that) Topics: [Family Games](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/family-games), [Playing with Kids](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/playing-with-kids), [Entertainment for Mom](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/entertainment-for-mom), [Being a Mom](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/being-a-mom) ## [10 Fun Musts for Kids to Do this Summer](https://blog.housefairy.org/10-fun-musts-for-kids-to-do-this-summer) Posted by [Pam Young](https://blog.housefairy.org/author/pam-young) Jul 21, 2014 10:00:00 AM [![](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/hub/341571/file-937340597-jpg/Blog_Photos_/7_Picnic.jpg) ](https://blog.housefairy.org/10-fun-musts-for-kids-to-do-this-summer) One thing I always tried to do as a parent when my kids were young was to create a sense of wonder and magic in their lives. I really believe that summer is the perfect season to make memories. My mom was a master at creating memories for my sister and me. Thinking about why my summers as a kid were so special, I have renewed admiration for what my mother put into planning our summers. She was a BOP (Born Organized Person). She always had a daily agenda for the summer months and it included household chores first and then fun. Attention moms, use fun activities you plan as a reward for getting the mundane household responsibilities accomplished every day. We lived in the country on a 20-acre farm, surrounded by other farms which are now lovely subdivisions with fancy-names like *Salmon Creek Estates*, *Crest Ridge Acres* and *We Are Rich Now Village*. Our farm was a ghost farm, because there were no pigs in the pigsty, no chickens in the coop, no cows or horses in the barn but we had all the buildings to play in. Because I was the oldest (my sister is five years younger) Mom was thrilled that I was so creative. If you want to know how creative, you’ve got to read[*** The Sidetracked Sisters’ Happiness File.***](http://shop.makeitfunanditwillgetdone.com/the-sidetracked-sisters-happiness-file-ebook) Once our chores were done and that was usually by 10:00 in the morning, my sister and I spent the rest of the summer outdoors, interrupted only by the horn of our 1955 Ford. The beep either meant lunch, or time for the day’s planned activity which is the source of my blog today. [Read More](https://blog.housefairy.org/10-fun-musts-for-kids-to-do-this-summer) Topics: [Family Games](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/family-games), [Playing with Kids](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/playing-with-kids) ## [The Top 10 Tips for Flying with Kids](https://blog.housefairy.org/the-top-10-tips-for-flying-with-kids) Posted by [Pam Young](https://blog.housefairy.org/author/pam-young) Jun 3, 2014 6:30:00 AM [![](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/hub/341571/file-915364465-jpg/Blog_Photos_/Tips_for_Flying/family_pajama_party.jpg) ](https://blog.housefairy.org/the-top-10-tips-for-flying-with-kids) Did you hear that American Way (American Airline’s inflight magazine) is featuring the House Fairy this month? The House Fairy is flying high on this news and she prompted me to celebrate such wonderful publicity by making this handy dandy tip sheet for you mamas who fly. With vacation time here, and if flying is in your plans AND you’re taking the kids with you, here are what made my top ten list for happy flying. . . short of drugs.  I know which one is my favorite, which one is yours? **1. Be Prepared                    ** Designate a carry-on as the entertainment bag. Keep what’s in it a secret, bringing out surprises as the trip goes. Busy kids are happy kids. Bored ones have the ability to terrorize everyone on a flight, including you. - books - notebooks - pens - crayons - coloring books - Ipad with favorite movie  - Kindle **2. Get Gum                      ** Children have very small ear canals and when the cabin is pressurized tiny ears can hurt. Chewing sugarless gum can help and once the jet is air bound it isn’t needed.  **3. Let it Suck              ** Nurse during take-off, or have a binky ready. I don’t think I’ve ever taken off without hearing an infant screaming because his little ears hurt. Sucking helps.   **4. Turn Bedtime into Fly-time       **  Matching PJs don’t just have to be at Christmastime. Deck your whole family out in new jammies for the flight. You’ll crack up the flight attendants as well as fellow passengers. Tell your kids you get to have a pajama party on the plane. You may have a hard time sleeping on a flight, but I’ve never met a kid on a red-eye that wasn’t asleep and I’d love to see a fun-loving family dressed for bed on a red-eye. [Read More](https://blog.housefairy.org/the-top-10-tips-for-flying-with-kids) Topics: [Playing with Kids](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/playing-with-kids), [Raising Children](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/raising-children) ## [Rain, Rain, Don’t Go Away | Seven Fun Ways to Play with Your Kids in the Rain](https://blog.housefairy.org/seven-fun-ways-to-play-with-your-kids-in-the-rain) Posted by [Pam Young](https://blog.housefairy.org/author/pam-young) Mar 26, 2014 12:00:00 PM Living in the northwest, I learned early on, that I couldn’t let the rain dowse our fun outdoors. Just make sure you all have play clothes, so you don’t have to worry about messing up your good clothes. Whether it's just misting or pouring cats and dogs make the most of the wet weather with these family-tested outdoor activities. **Puddle Play** Mom, you usually discourage your kids from jumping in puddles, so they’ll be shocked and excited when you suggest a splashing contest. Get your play clothes and rain boots on and head out looking for the biggest puddles you can find. Let your kids get soaking wet! Let the child who makes the biggest spray, get to pick the movie the family will watch or be freed from some chore. Give points for the one who gets the wettest. If you’ve got dancers in the family, have them practice some steps they’ve learned. Mom, come on; get in the puddles with them! Motherhood is not a spectator sport. Let your kids splash you. All it takes is saying, “Don’t you splash me,” in a way they know you’re daring them to do it. Oh and just think how good a hot shower will feel after the fun! [Read More](https://blog.housefairy.org/seven-fun-ways-to-play-with-your-kids-in-the-rain) Topics: [Playing with Kids](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/playing-with-kids) [All posts](https://blog.housefairy.org/all) ### Subscribe to Pam's Blog! ### Follow the House Fairy ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Month - [June 2020 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2020/06) - [March 2020 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2020/03) - [September 2019 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2019/09) - [July 2019 (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2019/07) - [June 2019 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2019/06) - [May 2019 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2019/05) - [April 2019 (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2019/04) - [August 2018 (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2018/08) - [June 2018 (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2018/06) - [February 2018 (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2018/02) - [November 2017 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2017/11) - [May 2016 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2016/05) - [November 2015 (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2015/11) - [September 2015 (4)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2015/09) - [August 2015 (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2015/08) - [December 2014 (12)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/12) - [November 2014 (6)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/11) - [October 2014 (13)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/10) - [September 2014 (9)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/09) - [August 2014 (3)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/08) - [July 2014 (6)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/07) - [June 2014 (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/06) - [May 2014 (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/05) - [April 2014 (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/04) - [March 2014 (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/archive/2014/03) [see all](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/playing-with-kids#) ### Posts by Topic - [Tools for Moms (11)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/tools-for-moms) - [Being a Mom (10)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/being-a-mom) - [Raising Children (10)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/raising-children) - [Entertainment for Mom (6)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/entertainment-for-mom) - [Family Games (6)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/family-games) - [Cooking Videos (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/cooking-videos) - [Fitness (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/fitness) - [On Being Organized / Disorganized (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/on-being-organized-disorganized) - [Playing with Kids (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/playing-with-kids) - [Recipes (5)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/recipes) - [Chores and Children (4)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/chores-and-children) - [Happiness (4)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/happiness) - [Cleaning (3)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/cleaning) - [Daily Thought, (3)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/daily-thought) - [De-Cluttering (3)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/de-cluttering) - [Habits (3)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/habits) - [Manners and Children (3)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/manners-and-children) - [Health (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/health) - [House Fairy Videos (2)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/house-fairy-videos) - [Children's Rooms (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/childrens-rooms) - [Great job mom (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/great-job-mom) - [How to Clean Videos (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/how-to-clean-videos) - [Organization (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/organization) - [Relationships (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/relationships) - [appreciation for moms (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/appreciation-for-moms) - [de-junking (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/de-junking) - [faith (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/faith) - [peace of mind (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/peace-of-mind) - [succeed (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/succeed) - [thank a mom (1)](https://blog.housefairy.org/topic/thank-a-mom) ## Subscribe by RSS ![rss-icon1](https://blog.housefairy.org/hs-fs/hub/341571/file-570749489-jpg/social_buttons/rss-icon1.jpg?width=50&name=rss-icon1.jpg) [Mom's World Feed](https://blog.housefairy.org/blog/rss.xml) [Privacy Statement](https://www.housefairy.org/privacy-statement) **About The House Fairy** The House Fairy is the brainchild of New York Times bestselling author Pam Young. A stay-at-home mom of three, stepmother of two and grandmother of 12, Pam has enjoyed most of her life surrounded by happy children of all ages. With a major in drama (not in college, but in life) Pam has always been able to see with the eyes of a child. Writing a shelf of “self-help” books to inspire disorganized moms, Pam’s focus has always been on solutions to the challenges mothers have in life.