Keeping children entertained is child’s play
The festive season is upon us and this is the one time of the year where children are at home for an extended period of time.
Planning fun activities that don’t involve the mall will help keep the children entertained without breaking the bank.
“Planning ahead for your children’s activities can take the anxiety out of entertaining them over the festive season. Planning can also allow you to budget adequately for their activities so that you aren’t spending money that can best be used for something more important,” said Eunice Sibiya, head of consumer education for FNB.
Find free story reading sessions
Find out from your local library or any book lounge in your city, if they host free story reading sessions. Some libraries and book lounges also provide additional activities for the children, allowing you some free time to enjoy a quick catch-up with a friend while the kids listen to fairy-tales.
Ride, explore or picnic in the park
A picnic in the park is the best way for you to catch-up on much needed reading while the children stretch their legs. There are plenty of scenic parks in South Africa, so wherever you are in the country this is a good way to keep the children entertained. Most parks have jungle gyms for the children to explore or better yet, the whole family can bring their bikes along and ride through the park before finding the perfect picnic spot.
Stock up on DVDs and board games
You won’t always have the luxury of taking the children out of the house. On days like these it’s best to hire their favourite block busters and pop them into the DVD for their own special ‘home cinema’ day.
You could also borrow board games that will still stimulate their minds over the festive season. Encourage your children to invite their friends, and take it one step further by arranging with the other parents to rotate these sessions and host the children one day in the week. A different environment, with different sets of movies in the company of their friends is sure to keep them entertained.
“The festive season is a wonderfully merry time, however, the effects of it don’t have to cripple your pocket. With a little bit of planning you can arrange for fun, educational and affordable activities and still give your children the festive season of their lives,” added Sibiya.
