Keep them entertained this Christmas

At the best of times, entertaining your children can be difficult, but it becomes even more difficult during the holidays.

Need some fresh and great ways to do so? Here are a few tips to assist:

• Invite them to the kitchen. There are numerous simple recipes that you can try with your children. If you’re worried about them getting things in and out of the oven, try making chocolate crispy bars, which must be chilled in the refrigerator. If they really enjoy it, why not challenge them to create new sandwich fillings? They may not like the results, but you’re teaching them about taste while also having fun.
• Create paper aeroplanes. Make a fleet of paper aeroplanes out of all that scrap paper that was destined for recycling. You can then launch them from an upstairs window or from the back garden. You could experiment with different types to see which one flies the farthest.
• Make up a story. Write a story together using your imaginations. It doesn’t have to be unique; the children could write down their favourite fairy tale and simply change the ending if they want to. Another excellent idea is to collaborate on chain stories with friends. Everyone writes a paragraph and only shows the last line to the next writer. Once the final person has completed their section, read the entire story aloud.
• Exhaust them. Indoor play areas are becoming increasingly popular. They’re a lot of fun, safe, and allow you to sit back and relax while your kids run wild. Activities include trampoline bouncing, climbing foam staircases and sliding down slides, and jumping into ball pits.
• Set up a scavenger hunt. Make a list of unusual and entertaining items for your children to discover. They can explore your home, your garden, or go to a park. A pine cone, a worm, a bug, a white rock, something red, or a feather are all suggestions.
• Get them involved in gardening. Growing plants is a lot of fun, and it’s even more fun when they can see their work grow and bloom right in front of their eyes. There are many plants that even a young child can grow successfully, ranging from small trees to herbs and vegetables.
  If you don’t have a garden, a window box or small pots are the solution, and they can be planted at any time of year.
  Grow herbs such as basil or parsley so that they can eat them once they’ve grown.
• Create a den. All you need is a large blanket or sheet and some cushions to set them up in a tropical rain forest or somewhere similar. A large box is also a good idea for a cave; this will likely keep them entertained for hours.
•  Construct a family tree. What do your children know about their family? Do they have any information about your parents’ parents? Drawing family trees is not only entertaining, but it also teaches them about history. You might discover some really interesting stories about your own family that you were unaware of.