Entertaining a 10 year old

[delbel]

I am looking after my friends 10 year old girl this weekend and want ideas on how to make her stay fun. The main problem I have is that I am skint and most activities cost lots of money (cinema etc).

Has anyone got any good/cheap ideas...?

Thanks

[coweyes30]

Bike ride, Baking Bread or buns they're easy and cheap to do. Board games, Hair and make-up you do hers - her do yours. treasure hunt in the garden and then put some sweets or something in the final spot.

[Buenchico]

Even skint people have to eat.

Get your young guest to help you cook a meal. Let her choose from a range of options and then go shopping together for the ingredients. (Remember to appear to let the junior 'chef' take charge of things). Then let her do all the cooking (while you keep an unobtrusive eye on things, of course!).

All 10 year olds respond well to being treated as grown ups and most of them (both boys and girls) love cooking and getting praise for what they've done.

You can heap the praise on by presenting your guest with a certificate (signed by you) for being a brilliant chef. Of course, you shouldn't simply print off the certificate yourself; you should allow your guest to design it on your PC. If you've not got a suitable DTP program, download Seif PagePlus SE, for free, here:
http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/Page Plus/default.asp

Chris

[Jugglering]

Go on a nature ramble - try to spot mysterious critters in the woods or fields nearby, like army ants, interesting spiders, unusual birds. If you've got a digital camera, then take it with you and snap away at all the trees that you don't the names of. Collect pretty leaves and cones etc to arrange into a *nature box* so that when you get home, you can try to identify the trees (internet searching can be fun with a 10 year old !).

Can you both sew at all ? If so, how about getting scraps of fabric and design and make up some new dresses for her dolls. If you can't sew then how about designing some clothes on paper instead ? Can you do anything *arty crafty* like knit or crochet ? It would be fun (and useful) to teach her how to knit.

[delbel]

Some great suggestions here - thank you so much for responding. I am going to have a go at cooking and doing something arty . I love the idea of the certificate!!

Thanks again

[tamirra]

I used to make play dough for mine.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1134073

[annie0000]

I am sure that she would enjoy a girls night in, plan your evening with her and watch a dvd or her fav programmes - likely to be x-factor and strictly come dancing - get all dressed up in your jammies and make non alcoholic cocktails and snacks - popcorn or something. Or play music and have a dance.

Also, check out your local multiplex - they usually do a kids movie at the weekend (usually about 10.30am) for 1.50 for kids with adults free - you just get whatever is on though, so you would need to check out what was on to make sure that it wasn't too young.

She would also enjoy window shopping or even just getting to try on different things - make it a rule that you need to try things on that you wouldn't normally wear.

You could go out looking for conkers or to feed the ducks.

Check out the library to see if they have any readings on that might be suitable.

I think that she will enjoy just having the undivided attention of an adult that isn't her parent jsut to hang out and chat with, I wouldn't stress too much, you will find that the time gets filled quick enough.

More cheap ideas - forget about a trip to the aquarium, most kids are fascinated enough by the fish in the pet shop - totally free!
Get a cheap frisbee and go to the park - weather permitting.
Make pizzas - the dough is great fun and you get to eat it at the end - cheap to make and fun to make your own design on the top.

[lil75]

ahh how thoughtful of you...whatever you do, after all the effort you are going to put in, im sure she wont wanna go home!!!

[Jugglering]

Haha Lil75 - I was thinking, now I wonder how on earth Delbel is going to fit all these activities in now.... she'll have to offer to entertain the kid for the next few months lol

[delbel]

Thank you so much for all the great ideas - looks like I might end up having more fun than her!!!

[zzxxee]

do you have a dog? or one you can borrow? my 11 year old spends ages bathing and brushing and walking him

[terambulan]

How about letting her paint the rooms, clean the windows, launder the curtains, vacuuming, sew you an outfit, bake bread, collect apples & blackberries for her to make a pie.

Time 10y olds did something useful......I did above around same age!