What's Your Opinion?

Directions:

Although you and your child may not see eye to eye on every issue, you can still listen to each other's point of view. Choose a lighthearted "controversy," such as which pizza topping is best.

Have your child state and then back up his or her position (for example, perhaps your child favors pepperoni for its nice smooth edges). Counter his or her opinion with your own (you might tout the virtues of double-cheese: its calcium content, mellow flavor, and stringiness).

Give your child a chance to respond, then offer him or her a counterpoint, and so on. Are you ready to give the activity a twist? Switch positions with your child and begin again. See how well each of you can back up the "opposing" point of view (using original arguments or elaborating on each other's ideas).

Have either of you been swayed to the other camp's position on pizza toppings? Well, it is a child's (or is that "parent's"?) prerogative to change his or her mind.

More on: Games for the Whole Family

Excerpted from:

© 2005 by Steve and Ruth Bennett. Excerpted from 365 Unplugged Family Fun Activities with permission of its publisher, Perseus Books Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

To order this book visit perseusbooksgroup.com.