5 skill-building activities for your 5 year-old boy

Oh, the life of the five year-old boy. He’s not a baby– that much he’ll let you know. Loudly. Indignantly.

He’s not a big kid, either. Not really.

But almost.

It’s a hard place to be, sandwiched between Winnie the Pooh and Star Wars, no longer really enthralled with Memory, but not quite ready for Phase 10. It’s the little boy No Man’s Land, in a lot of ways.

This, I’ve found, is the place where my boys have gotten antsy. The place where the developmental earthquake has started, but isn’t yet fully underway. Their minds are churning, their hands are fidgety, and they’re constantly casting around for something, anything, to fill that drive to DO within themselves.

Here’s a short list of some fun, purposeful activities I’ve found to fill the gap in the moments when five is more big than little. Give some a try, and feel free to share your own in the comments. I’ve got another one coming up behind, and am always looking to expand my toolbox!

Finger knitting– If you think a five year-old boy won’t sit still long enough to learn something as intricate as finger knitting, think again. The act of creating is a powerful motivator. Go into the project armed with a goal (“See these cool things you can make with your knitting?”) that allows your son to see the potential in his work. Keep sessions only as long as the excitement holds out, stopping before interest starts to wane, and let your boy select his materials. If he falls in love with a skein of 70s kitsch rainbow acrylic, so be it. It’s his project, after all. (Check here for video instructions and ideas on what to make.)

Cutting–Guess what? He can cut his own food. He can help you prep vegetables. He can probably (with some oversight) take a stab at sawing down the family Christmas tree. In short, give him the real deal. Yes, I’m advocating handing your kindergartener a sharp blade of some sort. With proper training, cutting is a skill that not only boosts your son’s confidence (“I’m able to really help!”) but shows him that you trust his judgement and think he can handle an advanced skill. Take the time to instill a healthy respect for the tool, teach him how to safely use it, and then give him a real job. Smile guaranteed.

Sweeping–With a tool his size, this chore can be his exclusive territory. And yes, a five year-old can do a passable job of keeping a floor clean. This is a great duty for encouraging diligence (it’s clear right away whether the work was done adequately or not) and requires no cleaning solutions. Again, train your son in the expectations of the role. Sprinkling dry rice on the floor will give him great practice, and can be a fun game, too.

Making his own toy– Whether it’s hand-stitching a face onto a simple pillow he’s sewn for himself, buying a kit that allows him to build a pine car he can slide across the race track of his imagination, or even having a basket with book-making materials accessible, the sense of accomplishment your son will feel will carry with him as he struggles to master the whole host of skills that will be queuing up in the next few years. You’ll also be encouraging your five year-old to think like a creator, not just a consumer.

A safe (but real) adventure– For most boys, it’s all about the journey. Why do you think video games are so appealing to the male set? Give your son a taste of an adventure on this side of the screen, and ignite his imagination as well as his love of exploring the unknown. Access to a wooded area he can safely hike with older siblings, camping with “just the guys,” or disassembling an old piece of electronics from Goodwill with a real screwdriver can all be life-changers for a little man looking to prove his prowess to his harshest critic … himself.

Who knew keeping a kindergartener busy could hit on so many skill areas and be so fun?

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