On my instagram stories recently I shared how I was wondering the best way to keep the kids amused once they finish school on December 18th. With us being in tier 3 many things that we might typically done as a family are closed and aside from muddy walks I wanted to have a few things up my sleeve to keep the gang amused.
It’s not about spending loads of money, more I know that if they are occupied it means there are less chance of arguments! Plus it helps us all to have things to focus on. Here’s my list of ideas, let me know if you have others to:
Treasure boxes – Just a small box full of random craft items!
These can spark inspiration for them and they’ll enjoy random making and crafting. I picked up the following from Hobbycraft – it’s full of good ideas, and will then leave them to paint / destroy / decorate these wooden craft items as they please.
Decorating a gingerbread house
My baking skills are diabolical I’ve discovered, so I cheat and purchase the gingerbread house and they just have fun decorating it. You can get a decent make your own house kit from Asda for only £4.50.
Candy Cane Hunt
I picked up a packet of Candy Canes from B & M. The kids still love running around the house trying to find hidden things so a rainy afternoon can easily be rescued with an hour or so of hide and seek. If you have the creativity too write a few clues to add some intrigue to the hunt.
Visiting the Christmas lights at Stourhead or Longleat.
Pre-booking essential. Tickets aren’t cheap but if we do only one thing then I’m more comfortable to have a treat like this. Stourhead was recommended to me by someone that went recently, the light tour takes about an hour / 1.5 hours and should be a lovely evening – whether we are under brollies or not!
Pizza Making and Move Night
I’ve picked up some Sainsburys pizza dough bases and with a bit of passata and cheese they’ll be able to make their own pizzas. Stick on National Lampoons Christmas Vacation and that’s our family night sorted.
Films
Christmas Day, BBC One, 3:10pm is Coco – a Pixar film, I’ll record this and we’ll save it to watch one day after Christmas after returning from a family walk. On Christmas Eve, BBC One are showing Paddington 2 at 4:15pm, the first film was really good so hope this will be too.
Other ideas
Jumping Clay have over 60 making tutorials on their youtube page. I also heard of a fun game, give a child a paper plate and pen and placing the paper plate on top of their head, challenge them to draw a snowman, it’s hard to do!
Bristol
Locally we are going to visit Bristol Zoo, go for another muddy walk at Snuff Mills and also Ashton Court then for a treat are heading to a drive in Horrible Histories panto at Bristol Airport, I have never been to anything like that – should be fun !
Let me know any other great activities you have planned.
Enjoy
x
