A single dad asks: What fun things can I do with my kids when they come over for the first time?

November 8, 12:49 PMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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This question comes from a reader: "I'm a single father and I get to to have my girls for the next two months. I wish I could have them all the time. But what do I do to keep a 4 year old and a 2 year old happy? I have 4 of the 8 weeks off and even though I wanted to, their the mother is just now letting me be a part of my baby's life. I love my girls to death but this will be the fist time she's let me be a father and I'm scared to death."

There are many fathers in this position, maybe spending their first long chunk of time with their children by themselves this holiday season.  Here are a few tips everyone can benefit from, especially parents welcoming children into their homes for the first time. (These ideas come from me as both a mom and as a child of divorce. I didn't spend a lot of time with my dad when I was young. He could have used these tips.)

• The first thing you're going to want to do is make sure you have a room set up for your children. Let them share the room with each other if you have more than one child, but give them each their own place to sleep so they feel comfortable and like they belong with you at your house. Having your own room makes you feel like its your house, not just a guest in someone else's house.
• Buy them both one snuggly toy. Have it waiting for them in their room.
• Plan to go to the park with them a few days a week. That's free and easy fun.
• Talk to them a lot.
• Ask them questions.
• Ask them what they want to do. You'll probably have to offer some suggestions.
• Take them to see a movie. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa is out right now. I just went with my 2.5 year old daughter and she loved it. (Read my review HERE.) There are several more kid movies coming out soon too.
• Take them to the store or DVD rental center and let them each pick out one kids DVD to watch. Shaun the Sheep comes out on Tuesday and it is fantastic. (Read my review of it HERE.)
• Take them to the public library. Check out a few videos and books. See if there's a free story time you can go to. The library by me has one every Wednesday evenings as well as some during the day.
• Read at least one book together everyday. Let them decide which one.
• Buy some crayons, markers, paper and coloring books. Sit down with them and color. Talk to them while coloring.
• Make cookies together. Make meals together. (Read about cooking with young children HERE.)
• Involve them in things you like to do. Like to watch college football on Saturdays? Great. Get them a shirt with your favorite team and sit down together and cheer them on. Go overboard with excitement at the touchdowns. My girls LOVE singing touch down songs.
• Take a LOT of photos. Print out a bunch and give them to your girls in an album to keep with you. My girls love looking at photos of themselves. They like to name everyone in the photos. Also hang up a few of you with your children around the house. They'll like seeing themselves. 
• Don't forget lots of hugs, kisses and just getting down on the floor to play. There's nothing better than a few "Up Daddy's" in my daughters' minds. (Up Daddy's are what my 2.5 year old calls it when Daddy tosses her in the air.)