Kids and summer hols

[HarryFindlay]

Today, just 24 hours into their 6 week summer holidays my kids said they were bored
I told them that they have a garden to play football in, a swimming pool (ok paddling pool), Playstation,Wii and whatever other handheld games they have and that the poor kids in Africa have no such thing and would love to have them
To which one of them replied "But there`s no electricity in Africa so they wouldn`t be able to play them anyway"

Can anyone give me some ideas to keep them occupied which doesn`t cost a packet?

[Petal~flower]

Harry, I have the same problem...

Took mine to beach today

Tomorrow, a bike ride out, with a trip to library where they have those reading competitions....

So thats 2 days occupied!

[ladyalex]

When we said we were bored as kids, my Mum used to give us some housework to do
We didn't complain much after that.
My job was cleaning the brasses, my sister's was dusting down the stairs.
It sounds awfully trite, but I have given it some thought over the years and I reckon that it was a way of making us think about what we wanted to do...there's nothing like having to do something that you really do not want to do for helping you to focus on what you DO want to do. Needless to say, we had lots of toys, games, books etc too. We just needed a bit of a push to think for ourselves.
Give it a go....

[Ice.Maiden]

Depends on their ages Harry. Mine don't get much chance to be bored, and holidays or not, they do a lot of different sports. Normally, we go for bike rides or I fix treasure hunts up for the kids and their friends. We've also got an area of the garden where they can play leaping over sawn-down tree trunks, make a den, swing from tyres on ropes, etc. If the weather's bad, we watch a film together, make plaster of Paris shapes from moulds, and paint them, devise crosswords and puzzles for when dad gets in - all sorts. It just needs a bit of imagination - and for you to join in with them. x

[HarryFindlay]

Thanks for your answers, I`m trying to avoid the easy option and let them watch TV as Spongebob does my head in
But if I suggest a bike ride they will moan after a few hundred yards, we went out walking with the dog this morning and I ended up giving shoulder rides all the way home and with 3 kids swapping every 100 yards is knackering

When I was their age I`d be out of the house at 8am and not return til it got dark..ooh the good old days of school holidays lol

[Ice.Maiden]

Awww......wouldn't it be great if we could allow our children to do that these days? Too dangerous though, and once you start letting them roam, they can get into all sorts of trouble. Are your kids old enough to play table tennis? Or how about chopping up various lengths of wood and letting them paint them? If they're too old for that, could they try making a go kart or something? how about roller blading or skate boarding, and making some little ramps?

[HarryFindlay]

lol I done the Go-Kart thing last year and they wasn`t interested until it was made and even then they moaned that they had to pull it along!

I might try the old "you are going to stay at nannies house for a week" trick to see if that livens them up

[Ice.Maiden]

Bless!!!!! Doubt you'll manage the entire holiday though!! x

[tigwig]

look on your local council website it will have free activities that are going on in your area

[elaine33]

my children soon learned that to say 'I'm bored' meant they had jobs given to them, cleaning bedrooms, cleaning windows, etc etc, and they learned very quickly to find things to do to amuse themselves. I did not totally neglect my children and I did take them out and spend time with them in the holidays but they knew I could not afford much and that we could not go out every day. One thing they did love to do was that we took it in turns to be the 'grown up' and that person took responsibility for the day of the housework, washing, making lunchand entertaining the other two. that also made them realise that mum likes a bit of help and how interupting every 5 minutes does not help. Just remember they are children and sadly cannot have the freedom of previous generations but they still have the same needs and do not need massive amounts of money spent to have a good day. making a camp in the garden with old sheets and kitchen chairs is more fun than a bought tent, jam sandwiches and a bottle of water with some soft fruit in it which they have made themselves is the best pic nic in the garden food. Forget all the organic pre packed stuff for a couple of weeks. I do not know how old your children are so some of these ideas may not suit but I wish you luck and hope you do not end up with sulky kids that have an attitude, that has to be the most unattractive trait which sadly is becoming more common. Just enjoy the holidays and the children, all too soon these days are over.

[redcrx]

Im another one who was given the brass to clean or told to tidy my room.

it soon made you find something to occupy your mind lol

[pinkbunny]

I know exactly how you feel Harry Roll on september!! I am a single parent trying to occupy a hectic six year old and look after my 6 month old baby! Who is not like an average 6 month old as she has problems from being born early. I went to tesco yesterday and bought a paddling pool and a few other bits for less than �20 and that has kept her occupied today and hopefully a few more days too.
Are there any groups organised for the kids during the summer holidays my daughter is going to a play scheme next week which is throught he church and only cost me a fiver for the week and the school has organised an activity each week at a local place for nothing.
What about a picnic at the park take a football and have a kick around? A bug hunt? feeding the ducks? treasure hunt in the garden give them a list of things to find ie a smooth stone a feather a green leaf? making cakes? making pizzas with a piece of bread tomato sauce cheese and other toppings just toast the bread put on the ingredients and grill? Give them an argos book each a piece of paper some glue and get them to make a collage of all the toys they like? Kids love anything they can make I also have a craft box with glue and glitter in etc.
I also got my daughter doing some housework too folding washing etc for a bit of pocket money. The 6 weeks holiday is hard but after almost loosing my baby a few months ago I do have a new perspective on life and even when they are doing my head in I am so thankful that I have them. It could have been a very different story for me my baby could have died and I thank god every day for my kids. I know they are a pain in the ass but really we are very lucky to have them. Talking of which time to make some tea!! It is never ending!! Hope you find something to do with them!

[unhappychick]

Hmm, how about Trips to the woods, picnics with friends, Swimming, Days out at a good park, where I live there is a voluntary run football club, if they are into that, maybe you could find out if theres one in your area, also if there is anything they are interested in ie, fave pop groups, clothes, football, you could get them some magazines and get a scrap book and get them cutting and sticking for a few hours! Just thought of something else, what a about hobby craft? Do you know what my sons ps2 broke 3 days ago, im glad, he has changed a lot, not so moany and is interacting more and doing different things....best thing that could have happened!

[annie0000]

This always keep my two occupied - we have competitions to see who can make the best flyer or best decorated plane etc.

http://www.paperairplanes.co.uk/planes.php

If you have any water nearby, take a couple of fishing nets and a bucket down and do some fishing for minnows.

Get icing tubes and make decorated biscuits.

You have got loads of ideas here form people, may steal some myself.

When I was a kid, we used to go to the woods looking for the flasher - how times change!