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| 15 creative ways to entertain kids over the holidays |
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'I'm borrrrrred' These two words will always strike fear and dread into the hearts of parents and caregivers. However, with a little planning and a lot of inspiration, the school holidays can be filled with cheap, cheerful and thoroughly entertaining kids' activities.
Without further ado, here are 15 ways to banish boredom over the school break.
- Do some gardening: Combining nature play with horticultural insights, children will love to plant something pretty (a flower), sow something tasty (carrots), build something magical (a fairy garden) or admire something gruesome (a Venus fly trap)!
- Write a book: A pen, paper and plenty of imagination is all that budding authors need. Children can supplement their story with hand-drawn illustrations or photos to create a picture book.
- Put on a show: Calling all dancers, singers, actors and puppet masters! Children love planning, rehearsing and staging live entertainment, so settle in and enjoy the performance! This DIY shoe box guitar will be a hit with mini-musicians.
- Cook up a storm: Junior chefs will gravitate towards sweet recipes (mmmm, chocolate brownies do sound good…), but there are lots of savoury alternatives. These funny face pizzas will tickle tastebuds and get kids cooking creatively.
- Play with paper: Whether your child learns how to make a paper plane, fashion a fan or master the art of origami, paper is the gift that keeps on giving.
- Have a blast with bubbles: Bubble blowers and bubble bath are great, but for older kids, try painting with bubbles or making a rainbow bubble snake.
- Have a picnic: Whether you go on a park excursion or set up sandwiches out the back, a picnic is a great opportunity to explore and engage with the kids.
- Ride a bike or scooter: This is a 'wheelie' great way to hone gross motor skills, build up balance and burn off some energy.
- Create an artwork: The only limit is their imagination, and kids can experiment with ideas like tissue transfer art, a painted leaf mobile, rock painting or pointillism - wherever the inspiration takes them!
- Set up camp: Whether children build a den inside or set up a tent in the open air, camping is always an exciting holiday activity. Ghost stories optional!
- Build a sandcastle: For some sandy sensory play, take children to a beach, sit them in a sandpit or hand them a big pile of sand play dough.
- Write to a relative: Whether it's a quick thank you card or a long-winded letter, putting words on paper is a lovely way to hone children's literacy skills (and good manners).
- Fly a kite: Take to the skies with an inexpensive kite or help children make their own, like this simple but unique bird kite. If space is limited, a handmade pinwheel will catch the air beautifully.
- Organise a scavenger hunt: This nature walk activity will get children on the lookout for interesting items. Tell them what they need to collect (tailoring items to their age) and the hunt is on!
- Hold a Kiddie Olympics: With 'elite' events like the three-legged race, egg and tennis ball race and hula-hoop hurdles, this is a great group activity. Add an opening ceremony and medals for extra entertainment.
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