Things we can do every year on our kids' birthdays

March 6, 2019 11:54 AM

Last year we gave my son a canvas and some paint and he fingerpainted a picture on his first birthday. We plan to do the same activity on his second birthday. What else could we incorporate, year after year, that wouldn't be overly taxing/$$ and would be fun to watch progress over the years?
posted by melodykramer to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

Definitely take a photo, perhaps in the same place or with the same object every year?
posted by hepta at 12:22 PM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]

We took video of them answering some basic (same) questions each year like "What is your favorite color?" "What is your favorite thing to do?" "What is your favorite food?" etc. They are in their 20s now and all post Insta Stories with them answering some of the same questions.
posted by AugustWest at 12:31 PM on March 6, 2019 [5 favorites]

I was going to suggest what hepta suggested. Along the lines of marking height on a door frame, dress the child in jeans and a t-shirt and take a photo in same spot each year. Eventually you can stitch them together and watch the child grow before your eyes. When they are old enough, give it to them.

This video of a child from 0-16 is what I had in mind.
posted by terrapin at 12:34 PM on March 6, 2019 [1 favorite]

Oh, there's for for that kid's brother too .
posted by terrapin at 12:45 PM on March 6, 2019

I suggested this before on the green: plant a tree the size of your child and photograph them growing up together.
posted by Elsie at 1:26 PM on March 6, 2019 [4 favorites]

My wife did a photo of both kids each month of their 1st year in the rocking chair in the baby's room. I insisted that now we had to keep the chair until the youngest moved out and that we should take pictures on each birthday.

It's an upholstered rocker/swivel/recliner. I can't wait to see how ratty it is by then.
posted by ArgentCorvid at 1:49 PM on March 6, 2019

Blank book. Collect advice in it. You'll have a lot to give, and this way it won't be lost.
posted by amtho at 1:52 PM on March 6, 2019