Ideas for School Holidays
| Published: 11th February 2008 21:38 |
Ideas for School Holidays
Parents, carers and family members are by far the most important influences on their children's lives. You can make a difference by supporting what your child learns at school. You can also help your child to learn by getting the most out of the school holidays.
At the start of the holidays, ask them what they plan to do. Help them to think this through and to look at the options -it's a time they value but they need your help and advice to make the most of it.
Holidays are obviously a time for a change in daily routine that allows your child to enjoy some new and different experiences. They provide an opportunity for you to spend time together on things you both like to do. There are lots of activities for families and for children on their own during school holidays that can be relaxing, fun and an opportunity to learn! If time away from home is part of the holidays, make sure that it is also a real learning opportunity for them.
It's important to remember that even though they may moan (and most do), your pre-teen and teenage children will still appreciate your involvement and time during the school holidays.
It's nearly always worth going ahead with a plan despite groans and opposition as usually, once it's actually under way, everyone enjoys it.
Here are a few suggestions for some activities that shouldn't cost a fortune:
Get them to give their room a facelift - this could involve clearing out old clothes, toys, books, magazines and so on to go to a charity shop, and having a thorough clean up. Rearrange all the furniture and put up some new posters. If you can manage it, offer a small incentive - perhaps a new duvet cover or a desk lamp.
Have a friend to stay - most pre-teens and teenagers love a sleepover. Let your child invite one or two friends to stay for a night. She or he can plan what to eat and choose a DVD to watch.
Swap computer games - sort out a few games that are no longer popular and arrange to swap them with friends for a week.
Go swimming - a day at the local indoor or outdoor pool with a friend is pretty hard to beat. If it's an outdoor pool, be sure to take sunhats, suncream and plenty of water.
Let them cook the evening meal - under your supervision. They can plan the menu, help you shop and then make it. Simple ideas could include: pizzas, pasta and a simple sauce or salad and baked potatoes.
Listen to a concert - lots of theatres and arts centres have free lunchtime foyer concerts. Check out events listings and drop in on one (if you don't like it, you can easily leave).
Enrol on a course - ask for holiday activity lists from your local authority and leisure centre. Many places now offer heavily subsidised courses for teenagers in tempting subjects as drama, art, juggling, basketball and DJ-ing.
Use your library - most libraries have more than books on offer. CD-ROMs, DVDs, audio cassettes and computer games are often available.
Visit a museum - all national museums are now free and are a treasure trove of interesting things to see, with fun hands-on activities. Most have special holiday events for kids.
Go to an art gallery - as with museums, art galleries have lots on offer. Don't feel you have to visit every exhibition (it's too tiring), just choose a couple of rooms that you think your child would enjoy.
Get out and about - outings don't have to mean theme parks. Try a game of rounders in the park, a walk through some woods, a picnic by a river, or a day on the beach. Always take a ball with you for a quick game of football.
Older teenagers usually like to hang out with their friends. Suggest a trendy cafe where they could meet and let them earn some money to spend there by doing a few jobs for you at home - cleaning the car, for example, or doing the washing-up.
Days out at the beach, in the country, or visiting heritage sites, can be affordable and enjoyable for both adults and children. Trips to amusement parks and adventure playgrounds could be another option to consider during the holidays
More than one?
It can be tough to juggle your time and expertise in the entertaining department if you have more than one child, or children of different ages. You may also find you get bored of each other. Parent-child relationships are unconditional, but it doesn't mean that either of you doesn't need the company of others for stimulation.
Don't be afraid to let other people help. Arranging for one of your children to spend the day with a friend, relative or someone she thinks a lot of can be a good thing. It will give her time to do something semi-independently, and will mean that she should come home with new achievements and fresh stories to tell.
If you have a baby or toddler as well as an older child, try to encourage your older child to help in caring for and entertaining the younger one - but remember there's a fine line between helping out and babysitting
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