Summer 2010
They’ll never have the chance to say ‘I’m bored’ with this list of things to make and do over the holidays.
Gardening – A good way to introduce your child to gardening is to let them take ownership of their own little patch and have them choose some seeds and/or plants that they have chosen. Sunflowers are a great choice as the kids can then monitor it’s progress and chart it’s height as a project.
Scrapbooking – All they’ll need is a scrap book, safety scissors, glue and then plenty of imagination. If you go somewhere nice on holiday, it’s the ideal project to keep them busy and they can put their pictures and souvenirs all in one place.
Make a weather station – Set up a small weather station in your back garden or window ledge. Source a thermometer so that the kids can note down the temperature each day, visit www.bbc.co.uk/wear/weather/barometer for inspiration on making your own instruments.
Fishing – Perhaps one that dad can introduce them to. For him, it’s a great way to spend some quality time with the kids and the little ones get to learn more, enjoy the fresh air and appreciate the scenery around them. A good tackle shop should stock fishing kits for children.
Ice skating – Whether your child wants to skate for fun or is interested in taking it up as a hobby, it’s a great activity for them to perfect over the long summer holidays. Skate hire is included in admission for most ice rinks, so if they are serious, you can then think about buying them their own pair.
Customising clothes – Don’t throw out your old clothes, have them revamped into weird and wonderful new items. A project perhaps to occupy older children, they can have fun with fabric markers or try tie dying t-shirts if you keep a close watch over them.
Model building – Whether it’s a fighter pilot for the boys or a doll’s house for the girls, there’s lots of possibilities with model building. Keep it to a theme they are interested in, that way they’re more likely to finish the project and not get bored halfway through.
Origami – The art of folding paper is the perfect way to keep them occupied for a couple of hours. Get a book out of the library for guidance, source some heavy paper and the only limit is their imagination.
Photography – Buy a disposable or cheap camera and let them take photos to their heart’s content. Good to occupy them when you are on a family walk or a project to develop further if you are on holiday.