Keep the kids busy these holidays

As much as the school holidays can be a great time to spend time with the children, it can also be quite an overwhelming period as the kids get bored with nothing to keep them busy and start to misbehave. Scheduling a few activities to keep them distracted and hassle-free can make the holidays an exciting and joyful time for the entire family.

1. GET THEM IN THE KITCHEN

Once a week during these holidays, make dinner the kids’ business. Temping as it might be to do everything yourself to ensure perfection, give the children a chance to have their time in the kitchen – under your supervision of course. As long as the kids are old enough, allow them to pick the recipe for the day and do most of the work. Have a day dedicated to baking their favourite treats and have as much fun as possible in the kitchen.

2. MAKE THE GARDEN STUNNING

Gardening often helps people relax and get in touch with a bit of nature, so dedicating a day to gardening with the children won’t be a bad idea. Leave a small patch in the garden where the children can plant anything that grows fast, helping to give them pleasure that they created something. Find out what you can plant this time of the season.  If your children are too young to understand anything about proper gardening, put them in their old clothes, give them a spade and a bucket and allow them to play in the soil.

3. ORGANISE A DANCE PARTY

Music always gets people to loosen up and have fun. Ask your children to invite a few of their friends over, get enough of your children’s favourite CDs, snacks and drinks and have a mini dance party. If you agree, the party can end with a sleepover at your house and a beautiful filling breakfast for all the children in the morning before hitting home. Do it over the weekend, so that you are there to supervise.

4. WATCH A GREAT MOVIE

There are so many movies out there to pick from and this is the perfect time to rent a few of them for the children, as long as you don’t forget to grab some popcorn along the way. Dim the lights when watching in the evening to give the sitting-room area a cinema feel. The kids will love it.

5. HAVE A PAINTING DAY

Painting can be a lovely manner for the kids to express how they feel and it can be interesting for you as a parent to analyse these feelings through their painting. Besides this, painting is fun and liberating. Allow the kids to use both their hands and a paint brush to paint. All you need to get them is large sheets of white paper, paints and brushes.

6. PLAY SPORTS

Balls are some of the cheapest sporting equipment you can buy. Go to the local store and grab a ball or two and come play football with the kids. It won’t hurt to be a bit active, plus the kids will appreciate the effort you make to have fun with them.

7. PLAY BOARD GAMES

Board games can be fun and educational at the same time. Try getting interesting games such as Scrabble, Monopoly, chess and puzzles, and encourage the children’s competitive nature, ensuring that you control arguments that may erupt during the game-playing. Make the kids understand the educational aspect of the game, that way cheering them on to play.

8. TAKE THEM TO THE GRANDPARENTS

Grandparents love having their grandchildren at home during the holiday. Most believe it’s their turn to spoil the children a little and tell them stories about their time, and how difficult it was to raise their parents. This also gives the children an opportunity to learn more about their background and their family tree.