Keeping children entertained without screens during the summer holidays is a full time job – especially when the weather is bad
In a perfect world, your child’s summer holidays are about fresh air, travels and a break from school, but if you’re also working a full time job or looking after younger kids or elderly relatives, it doesn’t always work out that way.
You want to spend quality time with your child, making memories and having fun but when you have to listen to them whinge about being bored or watch them get increasingly destructive because you won’t let them go out while it’s raining, it’s no surprise that your patience may wear thin.
What you need are some cheap and cheerful activities that will work indoors or outdoors – and maybe even teach them a thing or two! These six from The Knowledge Academy are a great place to start:
1. Shopping Spree
Equipment cost: €1.75 +
Equipment required: Paper, pen/pencil, money, treats
Why not help educate your little ones on the topic of money management at home this summer, by creating a “fake” shop. Turn a section of a room into a makeshift store using items you know they would love such as their favourite toys and snacks, and give them some money to ‘buy’ them with. This money could be real or fake, it is entirely your choice! Price up all the items so it encourages the child to engage in simple maths and work out if they do or do not have enough money for certain items.
2. Word Snap
Equipment cost: €2.70 +
Equipment required: Paper, pen/pencil, coloured pencils
Everyone loves a game of ‘snap’, so why not make your own version to help improve memory and vocabulary? Choose a mixture of words depending on the child’s age and vocabulary range and write the words onto DIY cards. Once all the cards are ready, lie each card face down and get the children to pick a card. Encourage each child to read the word from their card out loud and then choose another — if the two cards do not match, put both cards back down again and try until all pairs have been found!
3. Treasure Hunt
Equipment cost: €1.75 +
Equipment required: Paper, pen/pencil
To help improve map-reading and navigation skills, why not hold a treasure hunt in your home or garden? Create a map of the area showing different points where they can find clues which will eventually lead them to the treasure. This activity is highly stimulating as it will improve communication, teamwork skills and encourage ‘outside the box’ thinking. It will also result in a sense of achievement so don’t forget, X marks the spot!
Mindfulness activities
The ability to be mindful is excellent for lowering tension in children and can enhance future learning. There are a variety of calming activities that children can engage in to reduce stress and anxiety levels.
1. Nature Art
Equipment cost: €2.20 +
Equipment required: Paper, glue
Remember how much fun it was when your teacher told you that you were going on a nature walk instead of staying inside? With this in mind, why not help to relax your child’s mind by taking them outdoors into the fresh air.
We all know how curious kids can be so combining the outdoors with crafts and making nature art is a great way to stimulate the brain. Let them explore and gather a variety of different materials such as leaves, grass, rocks, sticks, etc that can be found outdoors and create a piece of art or self-portrait. It keeps them busy from any worries whilst feeding their curious nature.
(If the weather forecast predicts rain, gather the nature supplies the day before while it’s dry to ensure you have what’s needed to work indoors)
2. Five Senses Challenge
Equipment cost: €1.75 +
Equipment required: Paper, pen/pencil
This tends to be a common method to help relieve someone from anxious thoughts, and is perfect for practising with children as they can also put their senses to the test. Take your child for a walk (indoors or outdoors) and ask them to hone in on their own senses by observing their surroundings. Get them to record what they see, hear, taste, smell and touch by either writing or drawing them. This allows them to explore how their body functions in a fun and educational way.
3. Cloud Catching
Equipment cost: Free
Equipment required: Green space
Lay down on the grass outside (or beside a large window) and look up at the sky. Encourage your child to say what they can see “hidden” in the clouds, pointing out any shapes and images that their mind may create. Also ask them to mention any changes to the clouds as they move along. This is a free activity that is great for harvesting creativity and even developing their story-telling skills.
