|
No |
Thing |
More details |
|
1 |
Visit a local Castle |
Chances are there are a number of castles near you so if you and
your kids pic this work out a further way to decide which one.
Something to add here . . .if you become a member of
Scottish Heritage you get into any castles free of charge. If
you do alot of this kind of thing it really makes it worthwhile
to become a years member. |
|
2 |
DVD Day |
Go to your local DVD library and get some DVDs to watch. Let the
kids choose what they want. Get some popcorn in if they like it
and really make it a special event. Darken the room and maybe
get the kids to set the room up like a cinema. |
|
3 |
Painting |
If you are going to include this on your prospective things to
do then make sure you have all the items handy. Nothing worse
than to tell the sprogs we are going to paint and you suddenly
discover you have no paper, paint or brushes. Anyhow if this is
chosen you kids will love the opportunity to get messy and
create pictures for you. even better get them to make pics for
grandma/grandpa or other relatives . . .THEY WILL LOVE IT |
|
4 |
Picnic |
If its a lovely day . . or even if its not (lets face it most
kids love anything out of the norm) Make some sarnies and get
some crisps . .add some juice and instead of calling it
luch get out there somewhere and have a picnic. Even if its down
the local park which is 1 minute away the kids will love the
adventure. Also you could get the kids to make their own picnic
meals - an event in itself. |
|
5 |
Music Day |
Get your old records, tapes, DVDs out or even your new ones.
Play them for the kids and see what they like. Get them to mark
out of ten some of the songs and then make a compilation up for
them so they can play them whenever they want. If you have a DVD
recorder you could tape them introducing songs like a DJ. this
needs a bit of organising and a smidgen of techincal know how
BUT the kids will love it I PROMISE! |
|
6 |
Trip to the Shops |
Yep most parents would think this is a nightmare with the sprogs
BUT if you stay relaxed and give enough time for them to have
fun as well as for you to do whatever you have to, it can be a
a good laugh (even for blokes). The key here is to let them help you
with the shop be it food or clothes - this shouldn't be about
buying something for them but either something you need for the
house or you or food. Let them feel responsible and grown up
THEY WILL LOVE IT and you'll have a great time. If they start
getting demanding then just pick the besoms up and go. |
|
7 |
Play console games |
Everyone moans about the kids playing console games all the time
BUT why not join in and make it a big event. Challenge your kids
to a tournament and draw up tables or leagues and even get them
to design a cup. No ladies this doesnt just have to be football
and for Gents it can be based on any Game from cricket to My
little pony. Get them thinking about how the competition will
work, make up tables and cups and have a tournament. I promise
you it can be every enjoyable BUt dont get too carried away and
try and beat them all the time. |
|
8 |
Trip to the seaside |
If you are close by then go for a trip BUT be prepared with
buckets and spades and a snack. doesnt matter if its pouring or
sunny . . .its just us that mind the rain. In fact I've found
that kids love playing on the beach on rainy days. Mind you take
spare clothes cos they will get soaked. |
|
9 |
Train journey |
Most folk travel by car - so do something different. Take a
train journey somewhere . .anywhere. Just make sure that you let
them get involved as much as possible. Let them pick the train
journey (within reason), pay for the tickets, hold the tickets
and show them that they are in charge. Before you go discuss
what you will do on the journey and what they would like to take
for the trip. Take snacks which is a theme you will find in most
of the suggested outings. Obviously this could be linked to
another "thing to do" |
|
10 |
Adventure in the woods |
Go on a nature trail. Suggest to them that they may want to make
a scrapbook and take some bags to put stuff they find into it.
If you have any books on birds or wildlife take them along and
try an spot birds and animals. Can make this into a picnic as
well the choice is yours and THEIRS. |
|
11 |
Visit Local Zoo |
Standard Zoo trip but again try and make them feel like they are
in charge (to some extent anyhow) Let them help pick any snacks
or lunch for the trip. When you get there let them pay for the
tickets etc. Get a map of the zoo and let them plan out the
route and all. Tip here is to check whether the zoo does a years
membership. I am a member of Edinburgh zoo and its amazing how
much money I'm saving. |
|
12 |
Book reading session |
Have a session of sorting and reading books. Get them to pull
out all their books and look through them. Get them to decide
what they want to keep or maybe give away (to a charity) or sell
(if they are good enough quality). Anything you are left with
sit down and do some serious reading. If they are old enough get
them to do some of the reading. When they get tired dont push it
. . .just stop else things could get a little stressed. |
|
13 |
Cinema |
Yep that old chestnut. Cant beat a trip to the cinema and most
kiddies films are good for adults too. Let them choose what they
want to see. Gert them involved in the ticket purchase. Any
treats could possibly be bought from pocket money they may have
- again let them pay for things DONT just take them and do
everything for them. If you involve them it's easier all round. |
|
14 |
Cooking the tea |
Kids get very excited about things they dont usually do. So get
them thinking about making the tea one day. starting with
thoughts about what would be on the menu and indeed draw one up.
Listing all the ingredients they will need. Going to the shops
to buy the items and helping with the cooking (Obviously with
your guidance). They get so excited when at the end of the day
people are eating what they helped to plan and make (MILES
better than getting the new console game - well almost) |
|
15 |
Cooking for relatives |
Similar to that above BUT first decide upon your guests (Grampa
and Granma are usualy the best subjects I find). Get the kids to
make invites or ring up the victims (I mean guests). Then go
through the whole process of planning and cooking with them as
with 14. Can be great fun and dont forget to take some pics. |
|
16 |
Play board games |
Best kind of family interaction so long as folk don't get too
competitive. Get out all your old board games and have a good
session of just playing anything and everything. Encourage them
to try all the different games. Then ask them what games they
liked the best and why. Maybe they could drawup their own
favourites list for next time you play. |
|
17 |
Go for a meal |
Always an exciting event. Almost every single time my kids want
Pizza Express. Best thing to do here is track down a number of
child friendly places. Get their menus if you can and then run
through the list with your kids getting them to decide where to
go. The excitement starts here then builds to a crescendo when
you actualy get to the place. Enjoy and have fun. |
|
18 |
Colouring in |
An age old favorite. Get a whole load of pictures to colour in,
make a space on a desk or other area and sit them down and let
them colour in like mad. You could make this into a little
competition if you wanted to. Please notice I've started a page
here dedicated to pictures that can be printed off . . . use it
or else get your pictures from colouring books or draw some
yourselves. |
|
19 |
Visit relatives / friends |
Visiting relatives is always very exciting, especialy the
grandparents. Just go for it. And remember when other grown ups
are involved you can usualy sit back and relax so make the most
of it!!!!! |
|
20 |
Crafts |
There is nothing better or more involved that keeps them amused
than craft type stuff. One thing you do need for this is to be
prepared and have all the right bits and pieces. So do some
research first or get in a whole load of crafty items and keep
them safe somewhere. I'm currently setting up a new page called
CRAFT FUN which will show a number of things to make BUT in the
meantime have a looksee online or get a book. |
|
21 |
Crafts at a craft centre |
If you dont have the time, equipment or patience to do crafts at
home check out all local crafty type places. Most are very
reasonable and the kids get very excited. |
|
22 |
Visit a local park |
Sounds like a pretty obvious one. Can be loads of fun. Link this
with a walk or cycle ride to the park. Then maybe go for an ice
cream after and you have a lovely day out. Enjoy and take a book
with you - hopefuly there will be other kids there that yours
can play with. Enjoy |
|
23 |
Clean the house |
WHAT I hear you all cry!! Yep I said get the kids to clean the
house - especially their rooms. Make it a competition with a
specific reward and in no time at all your house will be
spotless (well almost). Link it to a physical or chart award and
they will love it. If you dont believe me just try it. |
|
24 |
Play games outside |
Whatever you have got have a go. Be it cricket, football, tennis
or less involved games like Chase, tig. Combine it with a wee
stroll or walk to the local park. This is kinda the opposite of
a Pajama day. |
|
25 |
Pajama day |
The opposite of playing outside. Everyone just remains in their
PJs for the whole day. Basicaly slobbig around doing as little
as possible. Always a good one after a very active day before.
Or possibly after a sleep over as hardly anyone gets any sleep
with those. ENJOY and try and sleep as much as possible. |
|
26 |
Write a story |
Instead of reading or drawing get the sprogs to write a story.
This doesnt necessarily mean they have to write it . . you can
be the scribe. Get them to start thinking about a story,
character, names, scenes, etc and get them to tell the story.
Write it all down and read it back to them. Kids can come up
with some quite amazing stories . . .so try it and see if your
child is a budding JK Rowling . Who knows you could end up
writing a sellable book with your child. |
|
27 |
Make a simple board game |
Get some card, some counters, paper, dice and anything else you
may need and get your kids to design a board game. Start with
something very simple and draw a stepping stone route around the
board. Get the kids to think about what the aim of the game is.
What kind of squares will help or hinder. How do you win. You
will be amazed at their though processes and you will come up
with some interesting games. The important thing here is you
have made a game out of making a game - A game that they will
probably want to play again and again cos they made it. |
|
28 |
Sleep over |
Oh dear!!! Although very very very exciting for the kids and
they will love you forever for it you will be knackered the next
day and so will they. Get them involved in selecting what tea
all of you will have and also make decisions on sleeping
arrangements if space is tight. Try and remain as relaxed as
possible its the only way with these. Tell the kids up front
that the next day WILL be a pajama day. |
|
29 |
Go to toy shop |
TO BE USED VERY SPARINGLY - maybe linked to a reward chart or
something, or using their own pocket money. |
|
30 |
Visit the Library |
Kids love visiting the library. Let them have free reign
checking out all the books. Let them pick a few at the same time
you could check out a craft type book. Make sure that after they
have selected their books that they do all the transactions with
the librarians themselves. Makes them more involved in the whole
process. |
|
31 |
Visit the local Museum |
Alot of libraries are free BUT some arent. Either way they make
for an excellent day out for the kids. Alot of them are
interactive as well. To keep costs down make your own pack
lunches as these places usualy charge an arm, leg, years wages
for food. |
|
32 |
Visit local art galleries |
If you children are into arty type stuff then check out the
local art galleries. As with museums take your own food and have
fun |
|
33 |
Swimming |
Cant beat a session in the water for fun laughter and games but
also to tire the wee besoms out. Check out you local baths for
deals and whats on. During the summer you usualy get swimming
classes that can give you some time to yourself whilst they have
their lessons. Water is fun so go have some. |
|
34 |
Cycling/running |
Alot more families nowadays are getting sporty so organize a
sporting outing with your kids. Get them really involved. Serves
a number of purposes, exercise, fun, getting involved and tiring
them out (which is always a good thing) . |
|
35 |
Make something for mum / dad |
Just get them to make something for mum and dad. Could be
a craft item, drawing, a meal for when they get home. Just
something they can get involved in and your spouse can praise
them for. |
|
36 |
See a football / cricket . rugby match |
Go and see a match. Regardless of whether you are Mum or Dad and
your Kid or Kids are girls or boys. Just go and see one for the
experience. If you dont like it dont go again BUT who knows you
might like it and go again. |
|
37 |
Invite relatives over for a visit |
The best people to do this with are the Grandparents. Get the
kids involved here in to decide what you are going to do with
the relatives. Will it be a play day, a go for a wlak day. Are
you inviting them over for a meal if so get the kids to organise
an itinerary. Can be very exciting and dont forget to tell the
rela |
|
38 |
Make a behavior chart |
Lookup how to make a behavior chart and get the kids involved in
its design and the rules linked to the chart. Also get them to
design one for you. Its amazing what you can learn about their
perception of you with this simple task. |
|
39 |
Visit a graveyard |
Can be very interesting looking at all the gravestones,
discussing people, when they were alive. The kids can learn alot
from the dead. Also take along some paper and charcoal to do
rubbings. ENJOY the dead. |
|
40 |
Go on a world Cruise |
Nothing to do with the kids. Its just something I want to
do!!!!!!! |
