The first school term comes to an end this week, and with it comes a daunting question for many parents: “How will we keep our children entertained during the school holidays?” With the amount of cold and rainy days on the increase, there are bound to be days that your children will have to stay indoors. This does not mean that anyone needs to be bored and frustrated. Here are a few ideas that will keep your children, no matter their age, busy and your pocket happy.
Movie Magic Marathon
Popcorn and movies are always a winner
Have your kids choose a couple of their favourite films and invite their friends over for a movie marathon. Make sure that you have plenty of (homemade) popcorn and snacks– especially if you’re catering to teenage boys! If you’d like to step it up a notch, you can have the children decide on a theme before the time and dress up according to the films that they’ll be watching. Think princesses, vampires and pirates.
At-Home Arcade
A variety of board games and video games will keep your children entertained for hours
Board games or video games – almost every household has them. Why not make them work for you by turning your living room into a games arcade for a day (or week)? Simply set up different “stations” with different games, such as Monopoly and Cluedo Junior. Also have a variety of video games such as FIFA 14, Game Party Champions and Just Dance. Ensure that you have prizes for those “competing”. It will certainly add an extra spin to your children’s usual game play.
Garden Cup
You may discover a future soccer star during a backyard mini world cup
The 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Brazil on Thursday, June 12. Get your children and their friends into the soccer spirit by having a mini world cup of their very own. A nearby park or your backyard is the perfect venue, and all you need is a soccer ball and makeshift goal posts.
Memory Lane Games
Bring out your inner-child when teaching your children how to play games you enjoyed when you were younger
Take your child on a trip down memory lane and teach them how to play games that you enjoyed when you were younger. They will have fun playing old favourites such as hopscotch and marbles and especially enjoy watching you reminisce.
These ideas work well with children of all ages and the best part is that you can join in on the fun. No matter what you decide to do though, don’t try and fill up every minute of every day. Rather, encourage your children’s imagination and independence by letting them play on their own too.
