5 Fun Activities for Children on Their Day Off
Wondering what to do with your kids on a midweek holiday? Read our suggestions and keep them busy
It isn’t uncommon to see children glued to the television, iPad or tablet during their free time. One thing is for sure, kids today are more tech-savvy than their parents. While all this is great, it is also important that they take out time for conventional, hands-on fun too. A day off from school is the best time for this. Read how you can help your child (between the ages of five and twelve) partake in activities that are super fun, wholesome and even educational.
2. Plant a pot
A day off can be a good opportunity to encourage children to start a green project. If you have a garden, assign a small plot to your child for their own little garden. If not, then plan for potted plants. Take them to your local garden shop; buy seeds, soil and pots; teach them how to prepare the soil, sow seeds and water them. They will love watching the seeds germinate and the shoots unfurl. It’s a great way to introduce children to the joys of gardening.
Tip: Help your kids select seeds of different veggies and fruits that are easy to grow and are suitable for your city’s climate. For example, radish and lettuce are fast-growing crops, as are microgreens, which can keep the kids interested in the kitchen garden.
Read how to grow microgreens
A day off can be a good opportunity to encourage children to start a green project. If you have a garden, assign a small plot to your child for their own little garden. If not, then plan for potted plants. Take them to your local garden shop; buy seeds, soil and pots; teach them how to prepare the soil, sow seeds and water them. They will love watching the seeds germinate and the shoots unfurl. It’s a great way to introduce children to the joys of gardening.
Tip: Help your kids select seeds of different veggies and fruits that are easy to grow and are suitable for your city’s climate. For example, radish and lettuce are fast-growing crops, as are microgreens, which can keep the kids interested in the kitchen garden.
Read how to grow microgreens
3. Go to the library
Ditch the Kindle and take your children to a library or a bookstore for a few hours. There’s usually a good children’s section in every library. Let them browse, look, climb up a ladder and pluck out books from the shelves. If you have not done it yet, get their library card made and let them borrow their first book.
Ditch the Kindle and take your children to a library or a bookstore for a few hours. There’s usually a good children’s section in every library. Let them browse, look, climb up a ladder and pluck out books from the shelves. If you have not done it yet, get their library card made and let them borrow their first book.
4. Bake or cook
Decide on a recipe for something the kids want to cook and head to the kitchen. It’s a great way to teach them to discover the fun in making food – let them get creative in the kitchen and experiment with flavours. Also, don’t forget to allow the little masterchefs a little bit of mess – after all, that’s what kids are good at. There’s no harm in starting them on a habit of clearing up afterwards – they can help you clean up after the cooking’s done.
Tip: Cupcakes, bread, pasta (possibly with cherry tomatoes – they look so cute), popsicles, or macaroni and cheese are guaranteed hits that are easy to make.
Decide on a recipe for something the kids want to cook and head to the kitchen. It’s a great way to teach them to discover the fun in making food – let them get creative in the kitchen and experiment with flavours. Also, don’t forget to allow the little masterchefs a little bit of mess – after all, that’s what kids are good at. There’s no harm in starting them on a habit of clearing up afterwards – they can help you clean up after the cooking’s done.
Tip: Cupcakes, bread, pasta (possibly with cherry tomatoes – they look so cute), popsicles, or macaroni and cheese are guaranteed hits that are easy to make.
5. Shoot a movie
This is for kids who are a bit older (nine and above). Instead of constantly telling them to put their phones away, for this day, turn their obsession into a fun activity. Ask them to record a movie with their phone camera or the iPad and put it together using simple software such as Movie Maker. This one they will love.
Tip: They can write a story and create characters. They might want you to act in the movie – don’t shy away from it. It will motivate them more, if you participate actively. Help them select a location in the house and decide on what they want to show in the movie and encourage them to have an important message at the end of the movie.
Read more:
How Colour Shapes Your Child’s Early Years
Design a Room That Will Grow With Your Child
Tell us:
How do you keep your child busy on a holiday? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
This is for kids who are a bit older (nine and above). Instead of constantly telling them to put their phones away, for this day, turn their obsession into a fun activity. Ask them to record a movie with their phone camera or the iPad and put it together using simple software such as Movie Maker. This one they will love.
Tip: They can write a story and create characters. They might want you to act in the movie – don’t shy away from it. It will motivate them more, if you participate actively. Help them select a location in the house and decide on what they want to show in the movie and encourage them to have an important message at the end of the movie.
Read more:
How Colour Shapes Your Child’s Early Years
Design a Room That Will Grow With Your Child
Tell us:
How do you keep your child busy on a holiday? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
Kids are always interested in doing things that are off limits. One such thing is messing about on the walls of the home. You can let them use stencils to make an artwork, or use stickers (decals) to bring in various themes into their spaces. Decals are my favourite; they are temporary and can be changed with the changing preferences of the child.
Tip: This requires a bit of preparation; make sure you have brought the decals or the materials for stencil work beforehand.
See how to enhance your home with stencil art