my kids are bored.....Aaarrgh school holidays

[eyeore]

ok my kids are off on school holidays and are so bored already! the weather has been miserable since they broke up. im looking for some good ideas to keep them amused. they are 3boys, age 13 and twins of 8. weve been swimming and to the cinema(kung fu panda). planning on making some cakes this week with them,saying that i'll prob end up making them myself . i suppose i'm looking for different ideas! any help out there? only 7 1/2 wks left!

 

[jns]

my Ds is at summer camp at the local football club
is there anyones about

 

[CHEK]

That's one long summer holiday!! Mine have another 2wks at school yet , let's keep our fingers X'd for some sunshine soon

 

[jjk]

do your boys like sport?, have you checked your local leisure centres as ours offer various activities for th kids throughout the summer.

hope the weather improves for you,mine dont break up until july 19th

 

[Dimplenose]

When a younger my DS (now 17) spent hours making Lego movies. He had a special Lego camera but I'm sure they could do it with any digital camera.

He also had a go at designing his own board game. (More fun to make than to play afterwards, but it took time and concentration to colour in the squares and write the forfeit cards.)

Actually any art on a large scale (back of wallpaper size) went down very well when he was at primary school age.

Plaster of Paris models were a hit too. We got some moulds from Woolthorth (pokemon ones). We'd make the models one day and a day or two later paint them.

We also hired DVDs from the library (a lot cheaper than Blockbuster).

We'd have the odd day out too.

But I also think it's quite healthy for children to learn to deal with their own boredom from time to time.

 

[mandymouse]

I think it's going to be a long Summer holidays if the weather doesn't get better soon - good luck

 

[Goofysmate]

Only thing i can think of is making a gift or a card for someone in the family like grand parents maybe

 

[Minniespal]

No suggestions ~ Just wishing you 'good luck'

 

[carolfoy]

scavenger hunt!!!

 

[CustardTart]

I asked my DS15 if he was bored (he broke up last weekend) and he said he was just happy not to be at school!!! He spends time sleeping in, gaming (doesn't get much chance to do either of those during term time), playing footie in the garden, watching tv, playing his guitar and chatting with me!!! Plus he does a few chores...

...But I also think it's quite healthy for children to learn to deal with their own boredom from time to time.

 

[darthtatty]

my son breaks up this friday and im dreading it.
he's disabled cant do anything for himself, but has got an active and bright mind and wants to do lots.
im going to have to spend my days helping him to play.
lots of the time we go out window shopping just so i get a rest but as he's older 8 he's going to be well bored with that now.
we usually go to the zoo in the summer hols.
can you not go away anywhere?
legolands a great place- we usually book a night at a travelodge and it takes a few days off the school hols

if they constantly bored tell them youll set them some school work for them, theyll soon find something to do

 

[emily1982]

Poundland, Poundland, Poundland!!!

They have some great craft stuff and kits for children and it's very good quality.

 

[Snowy-girls]

Gosh you're children have broken up early,my dd7 does'nt break up until 18th July-returns Sep 3rd.

Agreeing with what a few people have already said------------

'Scavenger Hunt'-deffinatley a good one.Prepare the night before when there in bed+start after brekkie the next day.

Art's+Crafts-second Emily's idea for Poundland or 99p shop-loads of good stuff in there.

Library,park for free days out.

Collect boxes,yoghurt pots,kitchen roll tubes,ribbon,string etc..see what they can make from it.

Set them some chores+reward them with some pocket money,after a week or 2 let them go and spend what they have earn't.

If you have some spare money-Zoo,School Term Time Clubs-our dd7 does these 2 mornings a week in the holidays-£3 for 3hours trampolining,basketball,cricket etc..

Good Luck .x.

 

[poohmadmum]

That is one long summer! My DD doesn't break up until 23rd July just before her birthday!

Have you checked your local sports centre and swimming pool - we only live in a small town but ours run day activities in the sports hall (inside and outside) and the pool run different swimming/lifesaving courses. Some of these have always been popular with DD.


My DD is into making music/video clips at the moment which she enjoys. She's at school at the moment but I think she uses photobucket and Disney Channel website. Disney Channel also have games etc to play with their favourite characters. Your oldest might enjoy this.

Would they all enjoy craft activities or is that too girly? Making cards, models, collages etc. Have you looked out for any kids' competitions - they are often out there where they have to design or make something.

Would be nice to see the sun again - good luck.

 

[Bolanette87]

When a younger my DS (now 17) spent hours making Lego movies. He had a special Lego camera but I'm sure they could do it with any digital camera.

My fiance still does things like this!! You can use any sort of digi cam.... He's taught my younger brother to make them with his toys... They're very time consuming!

Bob xoxoxox

 

[PoppyAnna]

Like others have said, check your local authority sports and leisure timetable. My local authority is fantasic and runs so many different activities for all ages, we're members so many are free of charge under our annual payment. My girls will be doing everything from feet and finger painting to Disney dance workshop
Our local tennis club also run a fantastic programme half day or full day of sports, drama and cooking etc. DD5 is doing the occasional half/full day there but not too much. This a private club so these aren't the cheapest but she loves going
My DD is going into Y1 in september so I'm a summer holiday novice! I've bought lots of notebooks and letter writing material and funky girlie pens for her to do lots of handwriting practise over the hols. Sprinkle in some days out and visits to Nanna at the coast and I'm hoping they'll be pretty happy.
Good luck.

Forget to add, I think they get too many birthday pressies so I hide some of these in the garage and "ta da" they get new toys on rainy days during the hols......
PS I also agree with whoever made the comment that they need to deal with their own boredom.......my girls' paternal grandparents are fantastic at making a game out of nothing (I think it's a war thing ;-)) and my girls have adopted these skills mainly during role play - it's great!

 

[eyeore]

thanks for some great ideas. i love the plaster of paris idea and i'm going to go to the local art shop at the weekend to see what they have got.

i have to confess i dont know how to do a scavenger hunt i can never remember ever doing one! help!!

i forgot to mention one of my twins is in a wheelchair so football and swimming clubs are out for him and his twin brother will not go without him.

i am also going to collect boxes,string,cartons etc it could be fun seeing what they come up with!

legoland would be fab but by the time we pay for flights and car hire and hotel it really is alot of money for a few days. i am saving my pennies for disney next year!! hoping to take the kids to discovery cove

 

[Dimplenose]

A scavenger hunt is quite easy to organise. Just make a list of things to find and adapt it for wherever you are. You could make a list of natural things eg. a round leaf, a feather, a smooth stone etc. or indoor things e.g. a paper clip, a peg, piece of string.

I've even done ones using a paint chart from a DIY shop and had the children match as many colours as possible to objects. (Much harder outdoors than indoors!)

Once they've done yours get them to write and plan their own scavenger/treasure hunts for each other.