No sooner have we recovered from the Christmas festivities and dusted the snow from our boots after the kids have been kept off school, than half-term is just around the corner. “Help!” we hear you cry. Keeping the kids entertained over half-term needn’t be a chore. Read our tips below from other mums on how to keep boredom at bay, without breaking the bank. Or take a look at our list of half-term activities taking place around the UK from 13-21 February 2010.
“I always keep an eye on local magazines for events – museums have lots of things going on that are often free and take place during school holidays.” Ali B
“During colder weather we do some of the following – Make a huge collage and then cut it up, stick it onto folded cards and use as thankyou cards throughout the year… Construct an indoor assault course with sofa cushions, pop-up tunnels and cardboard boxes… Put together a treasure hunt around the house or garden. Each written clue leads you to the next, which eventually leads you to some ‘treasure’… Make a den inside with a washing airer or clothes horse, plus blankets and chairs.” Ellie M
“We like to make cakes. Our latest discovery is letting mine make their own pastry, as much from scratch as you can bear. Give your children a mixing bowl each and let them make it themselves. If they are old enough they can measure out their own ingredients. Accept there will be flour all over the floor and strange hard lumps of raw dough that will turn up stuck to a shoe several days later! They can then roll it out, knead it and turn it into whatever they like. My eldest makes sort of pies with hers and ladles loads of jam on them. Sometimes they are edible, sometimes not, but it really does keep them quiet for ages. If you have two who squabble constantly, make sure you have two of everything to counter the bickering, eg. rolling pins, baking trays etc.” Anna B
How about you? Let us know your tips for a hassle-free half term in the comments below…
