For many parents, summer poses the inevitable question: Now that the children are heading into the Christmas break and are home all day, what am I going to do with them?
Theme parks and movie trips can become expensive, as do visits to water parks, and other paid attractions. Grandparents love to see the children arrive, but after a while they wonder just what to do with them. The good news is the answer doesn’t have to be too complicated or expensive.
Here are some useful ideas on how to have fun without spending a fortune.
Creative Chefs – Every child loves to help in the kitchen. Let them pick a recipe and help them make it. It also offers a great way to teach your child about food and the importance of healthy eating.
Primo Play Dough – Children will adore making play dough. All you need do is mix together 1 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of salt and 2 tbsp of cream of tartar, add 1 cup of water and mix until smooth. Add a dash of food colouring followed by 2 tbsp of oil and cook on a medium heat, stirring constantly until dough forms a ball.
Tenting Time – Tents are inspirational places for role-play and imaginative activities. The good news is you don’t need the fully-fledged camping variety to make it work. Simply stand four chairs together and use sheets and blankets to make the roof, door and floor.
Picnic Pleasure – The garden is always the perfect spot for a spontaneous picnic. Pull out the blanket, put some yummy treats in a basket and make some homemade lemonade then head outside for some fresh air.
Disco Dancers – Get everyone to dress up in their party clothes, close the curtains, put the music on loud and dance, dance, dance! The children can take turns to play DJ and select music and games. A few old favourites are musical chairs and statues.
Car Cleaning – Children enjoy washing the car with sponges. Why not set them little tasks, such as cleaning certain sections of the car within a minute. A small treat or a $1 for their money box is a nice way to reward them.
Finally, getting creative doesn’t need to break the bank. Let your imagination run wild and see where these fun times take you.
