House Rules!
House Rules
Approximate Time Frame: 1 -2 hours
Activity: WONDER
Area of Learning: Creative Expression, Literacy, Family Bonding, Life Skills
“ Rules are sometimes hard to follow, but not if you are the one making them up! Have a blast coming up with your own house rules.”
Our kids like to be a part of everything. They know that there are boundaries at home so here is an opportunity to articulate those house rules, while letting them be a deciding member of those rules.
Process
Begin a discussion of why and where we have rules. (ex: school, restaurants, at home, driving). Brainstorm some rules that people follow.
Talk about whether rules are good or bad and why we have rules set in place. Does it keep us safe? Do they work for everyone?
Start a discussion about what rules are already in place at home.
Make new rules or write down existing ones. Have your child draw a picture to match the rule. This is your draft.
Put on a costume and act out what it looks like to break the rule, and what it’s like to follow the rule.
Transfer the rules onto something that you can display. We have included a printable if you would like to use a template.
Display and share with the rest of your family!
Materials
Dress up costumes
Paper
Markers
Colours
Paints (optional)
Your personal method of displaying the rules. Ideas below:
Banner
Collage on canvas
Chalkboard
Coarkboard
Flag banner
Jar of Written Stones
your idea!
Child role
Think of rules that need to be followed in the house to keep everyone safe.
Help draw a picture to match each rule. What does it look like to follow the rule?
Where can we put the rules so that everyone can see it? How should we display it?
Dress up like an actor and pretend that you are coming to the house as a visitor. What would you do if you were breaking each rule? What would that look like?
What does it look like to follow the rules?
Have fun acting silly!
Parent role
Help your child recognize that rules are in place for safety and well-being for everyone, and not a consequence or a strict boundary for no reason.
Brainstorm rules that apply in your own home. Help them think about rules that other people would need to know to live in your house
Have them draw a picture to match the rules.
Dress up and act together. This is a great time to be really dramatic and outrageous about breaking the rules. Contrast with a scene where you follow the rules.
Collaborate to transfer the rules onto a board or your choice of display for the rest of the family to see.
