Family Central

Kids of all ages love to play pretend whether it be at home or at school. If you ever find yourself worried that your child may be spending too much time playing pretend, think again. When your child plays make-believe, they're continuously developing important cognitive skills -- and so much more.

Here are a few simple things you can do to ensure that their make-believe play reaps all the benefits.

• Be present while your child is playing. 
• Provide as much space as possible.
• Make the right toys available. 
• Give real-life experiences. 
• Resolve conflicts. 

To read what else you can do, click here.

Getting kids to help tidy the house can be a chore within itself but getting them excited is something that will pay off in the long run.

Bust out the hairbrushes and air guitars and have a dance party. Research shows that listening to music together creates healthy bonds and builds positive memories. Introduce her to artists you loved growing up and have her exchange the favor. 

Cook a meal together. Whether you're trying out a new recipe or teacher her how to make a family classic, this is a great way to bond -- plus you get a delicious meal at the end!

Strike a pose and have a photo-shoot. Put on a silly outfit, dress up all fancy, or wear what you're comfortable in and go photo crazy. Take some selfies, set the timer, or take turns taking pictures of one another.

Ask each other interesting questions. We've put together a list of family conversation starters because trust us, we know getting more than one-word answers can be like pulling teeth.

Volunteer for a cause you both love. It's easy to find opportunities at places like your local animal shelters or soup kitchens. If that type of volunteering isn't really your thing, assemble care packages for the homeless in your area or make cards for nursing home residents.

Related: 3 Ways To Teach Kindness To Kids

Create an artsy masterpiece. Hello, Pinterest! Not only is creating art important for your child’s development, but it can also increase positive emotions and reducing the likelihood of depression.

Read aloud to one another. Try reading books, magazines, poetry, or even the news. This can also lead to post-reading conversations about the info you just took in.

Related: 16 Christmas Books Every Child Should Read

Have a picnic. Pick out some snacks together, grab a cozy blanket and head to a park or your backyard.

Stargaze. Count stars, learn about constellations, or make up fun stories about the sky.

Take a trip down memory lane. Grab a family photo album and look at old photos together. Whether you look at her baby pictures or pictures from when you were a kid, there are so many fun conversations to be had.

Go thrifting. Take her to a thrift store, a flea market, or garage sales and look for hidden gems.

Trade makeovers. Get your makeup bag out and let your daughter do whatever she wants – then change spots. Be sure to snap some pictures afterward!

Go for a long walk. Without the distractions of daily life at home, your daughter may open up and share her heart with you on the walk. 

Work together. Ask her to help you with something like doing laundry or paying bills. This is a great way to teach her all while bonding -- it's a win-in!

Dress each other up, Freaky Friday style. Let your daughter pick out your outit and then do the same for her. You don't have to leave the house if you're not comfortable, but, who knows -- maybe you'll get complimented on your new style!

Paint rocks. Then leave them somewhere for a stranger to find so you can brighten their day.

Declutter. Go through your closet and pick things to rehome, then switch and go through her closet. See, chores can be fun!

Learn a new language. There are tons of apps and free websites where you can learn a new language. Even just learning a few phrases will be fun!

Have a coffee (or hot chocolate) date. Bring your favorite board game a local coffee shop, then treat yourselves to yummy drinks while you play.

Related: 26 Questions To Get Your Kid Talking

Have a movie night for two. Introduce her to your favorite movie and then have her do the same. Afterward, talk about the parts you liked best!

Try a new restaurant. Pick a restaurant you’ve never tried before and split some appetizers.

Visit the local farmer’s market. Pick up something fun to bring home and share with the rest of the family.

What are some ideas you have for mommy-daughter dates?

Keeping a Grandma Diary is a great way to keep memories alive and the journal itself will make a wonderful gift someday.

Sure, photo albums do the trick and, to some, so does social media. However, stories and emotions expressed through your very own handwriting is truly something to treasure.

Here's how to start -- and continue -- your first Grandma Diary!

1. Use a beautiful, hand-chosen notebook or journal. These can be found on Amazon, at local stores, or, who knows, maybe you even have some blank ones around at home. 

Be sure to choose one that really illustrates YOU and your relationship with your grandchild. Does your granddaughter love daisies? Finding a journal with a cute floral design would be just perfect! Maybe your grandson loves cooking with you? I've seen cute notebooks with illustrations of rolling pins, mixers, and chefs hats galore and boy were they cute!

2. Use writing utensils that you love and are comfortable with, and be smart about them. I prefer writing in black ink because it's clean and clear. Some people, however, love to use bright colors like pink or green. There are some grandmas out there who swear by No. 2 pencils!

Whatever the case, find something that won't make your hand hurt and will also stay preserved well. Bright colors may be hard to read, heavy pens might leak, and pencil lead might easily smudge. Remember, this is a keepsake so every detail counts!

3. Start with a cover page or opening letter. My advice is to dedicate one diary per grandchild if you have more than one. This way, the diary is something special just for them and about your relationship only.

Begin your cover page or opening letter with the date -- including the year -- and whatever other fun facts you may want to share. Maybe you write about the most recent time you thought about them, or maybe you'll introduce why you decided to keep the diary. 

4. Date every single entry. If you're thinking about your grandchild on a random Tuesday afternoon, write it down! If your grandchild was just picked up from your house after a wonderful sleepover, note it!

Not only will your grandchild enjoy looking back, but you will too when you spend time to go through what you've written.

5. Your diary should include more than just stories. Remember, since this is a keepsake, it's important to show your grandchild who YOU are as well as what your thoughts and memories are with them. Doodle your favorite flower, share a recipe, glue in some photos, or add some stickers.

What types of things will you include in your Grandma Diary?

What does “that Christmas morning feeling” mean to you?