By Alyson Trager
August 9, 2017


While one-third of PANKs - or Professional Aunts No Kids - say they enjoy running errands for their nieces and nephews, what about the tasks we need to do for ourselves? During stressful weeks, it seems like the best way to put a smile on our face is a little QualAuntie Time with our sweet little nieces and nephews. But how to combine errands and aunthood? You can put scheduling QualAuntie Time with your nieces and nephews at the top of your to-do list with these out-and-about activities.

Grocery Shopping

Whether you’re restocking your kitchen, or just picking up a couple things, grocery shopping can be QualAuntie Time that helps develop math skills in your younger nieces and nephews. With little ones, count out loud as you place each apple in a bag, or for kids who are a little older, ask them to count the apples you put in your basket. With even older kids, in the cereal, cracker (or cookie!) aisle, calculate the math around the price per ounce of contents. For the little ones, get there spacial cognition going by asking which boxes are bigger and which are smaller, which are higher up on the shelf, which are lower.

You can also pick up something to bake with the children when you get home, or ingredients to follow a recipe like these chocolate chip cookies.  Baking with your nieces and nephews is science and math - in one delicious activity. Have them work on the measurements, and talk about how baking cookies is chemistry. 

Pharmacy

When you need to refill a prescription or grab some extra toothbrushes for a sleepover with your nieces and nephews, head to your local pharmacy together. Most pharmacies have a center or kiosk where you can get digital photos printed. Before you go, take some silly pictures with your nieces and nephews to get printed. Some photo centers let you add borders or edit your pictures. Turning your pictures into large photo cards with words or designs can be a great creative outlet for the children. And now they have a little souvenir from your QualAuntie Time together.

Car Mechanic

If it’s still safe to drive your car, have your nieces and nephews come with you to the car mechanic. While you’re driving, turn the music up and have a sing-a-long. Once you get to the auto shop have your nieces and nephews create a performance (because you might be there a while).

Cell Phone Repair

When you have to get your cell phone fixed, it can seem like the end of the world. You have no way to communicate with others, and nothing to keep you occupied. But when you bring your nieces and nephews along, the fun doesn’t end. Let them bring their favorite video game and ask them to teach you how it works. Before you know it, your phone will be fixed and you’ll be a gaming pro, downloading the game app yourself!

Plant Nursery

As you walk around the nursery, be aware of the plants your nieces and nephews like. After looking at the different kinds of plants, talk to your nieces and nephews about which ones would work best in your house by discussing the plant’s need for sunlight, water, and fertilizer. Then, let them pick out a special plant that fits the criteria. When you get home, find the perfect spot for it. Your nieces and nephews will be left feeling accomplished every time they come to your house and see their plant growing. This also helps cultivate their interest in science, no matter the age, by exposing them to plant biology and agriculture.

ProAunt Tip: If their interest is piqued, recommend the Khan Academy lessons on Plant Biology!

Hardware Store

When you realize you’re out of lightbulsb, or want to get your DIY construction on, you’re going to have to run to the hardware store. Grab your nieces and nephews to go with you. Some hardware stores, like Home Depot, offer classes for children to expand their construction knowledge. Doing hands-on activities have numerous benefits for children. When children learn using their hands along with their other senses, they are more likely to retain what they learn because they are activating multiple parts of their brains.

Gym

If you dread the gym, skip it! Head to the playground instead. Running around with your nieces and nephews will definitely get your heart racing. A good game of tag can provide your daily cardio. You can also use the physical play set as a gym with these workouts.

Pro-AunTip: You can get even more exercise in if you walk, run or bike to the playground instead of drive.

Post Office

Before heading to the post office, make a run to a local stationary store. Let the children pick out paper to write a letter to another family member. If they are too young to write for themselves, have them sound out the words as they say them, while simultaneously watching you spell it out. This will help with their reading and writing skills.

Optometrist

Ask your nieces’ and nephews’ parents if it helps for you to schedule an appointment for the kids' eye doctor regular appointment at the same time (and practice) as yours and take them with you. Once you all get checked out and have a new prescription, Take the kids to help you pick out some cool new Rx sunglasses. After your nieces and nephews help you pick out a pair, reward them by taking them out to get a child-sized non-prescription pair for them. Pro-AunTip: Get them a pair that matches yours! You can then explain how sunglasses can help protect their eyes.

Doing Laundry

After you put the clothes in the washing machine, there’s a period of waiting. If you’re a more artistic auntie, you can turn this time into a lesson in the art of origami. You can follow this tutorial or find one on YouTube that interests you.



Folding paper will (hopefully) get them excited about folding the laundry with you!

Banking on It

Going to the bank is a great time to work with your nieces and nephews on their math skills. If they are inspired, help them set up their own little banking system at home. Get three clear containers so they can see their money grow. Label one “Saving," one “Spending," and one “Sharing” charity. Explain that whenever they receive money, either from gifts or allowance, they should put some in each container. Learning to set money aside for the future is something everyone should learn at a young age.

Photo: Elena Nichizhenova