Keeping the kids busy on the weekends, during the holidays, or even after school can be tricky. During their downtime, it’s important to keep children emotionally, mentally, and creatively stimulated, as this is crucial for their long-term childhood development. But this is much easier said than done. Curious little minds quickly become distracted if their tasks are too simple, and even more so if they’re too complicated.
But fear not! We’ve put together this list of simple ideas that will keep your little ones entertained and happy for hours on end.
Set A Lego Challenge
Lego is one of the most versatile toys, not just because it can be transformed into almost anything, but also because it’s the kind of toy that anyone of any age can play with. As a brand, Lego has long been considered one of the most reliable out there, because its products are well-made and easy to use.
So why not set a Lego challenge? This gives kids a chance to be both creative and innovative. Pick a theme (like ‘pirate ship’ or ‘skyscraper’) and then let their hands and minds get to work. If you have more than one child, and if you know they perform well in a more competitive environment, have them complete their project within a specific timeframe. On the other hand, if your kids work better as a team, have them build something together.
Get Them Cooking
The level of difficulty of this one will depend on the age of your child but getting them involved in your dinner preparation is the perfect way to save you some time and to keep them busy too. For younger kids, set tasks like breaking off asparagus stems or pulling the leaves off the stems of your Swiss chard.
Older kids could help to grate cheese or measure out the ingredients for your famous pasta sauce. Either way, they’ll love being able to help out with dinner, will learn some valuable kitchen skills, and will absolutely love being able to sit down for a meal and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
Give Them Screen Time
Now, this is one that you don’t often find in parenting blogs but giving your kids screen time as a treat is a great way to keep them busy. This is especially true if you choose to let them watch something that is covertly educational. Plus, it leaves you with time to enjoy your own on-screen pursuits, whether this means binge watching your favourite series or playing your favourite online casino South Africa games.
There are several videos and apps that are both entertaining and educational, and before long, they’ll have learned everything from the difference between stalactites and stalagmites to animal life cycles and how to determine a storm’s distance. Of course, there is a whole world of educational entertainment out there, and some things will be better suited than others depending on the age of your child.
Platforms like YouTube Kids, Disney+, and Netflix all have programming specific for the varying needs of young ones of every age, so do some digging and find shows that are both educational and engaging for your kids.
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