When the kids have downtime I can’t stand them being sat in front of the TV or playing computer games so I always try to keep them entertained with an activity that uses their brain or something that gets them outside and active. Particularly difficult in the holidays but I’ve found that a small D.I.Y. project really entertains them and gives them a sense of reward. Here’s 6 fun D.I.Y. projects to keep them entertained.
Lego Challenge
Lego is amazing and flexible, challenge your kids to create something different than what the box says. Difficulty levels will depend on their age but set it as a challenge so they feel a sense of achievement afterwards, if you have more than one child, add a little competition to proceedings. The beauty of this project is that you can knock it down and start again with a different challenge.
Make a Robot
Craft ideas like this will entertain the kids for hours, robots can be simply made by coating empty cardboard boxes in tin foil and adding some flair with buttons, string, nuts and bolts or whatever’s lying around. This project will peak your kids’ interest and allow them to express some artistic flair, plus they get to dress up at the end.
Make a Volcano
One for the older kids here and a task that may inspire their scientific side is making a Volcano from household goods. For the volcano simply coat a plastic bottle in newspaper and glue to make a volcano shape with a hard edge. For the lava simply put bicarbonate or soda in the bottle and add vinegar for the explosion, encourage your kids to add flair to volcano and watch your volcano blow.
Create a Scrap Book
This one is a little old school but can entertain the kids for a good length of time and give them an account of all their memories. All you need is a book, some glue and some memories, kids can put ticket stubs, photos and thousands of other mementos in their specially designed book.
Bottle Rocket
Take a soda bottle and grab some bicarbonate of soda and some vinegar, wrap the bicarb in cling film and twist the cling film over it then pop the bicarb in the bottle. Next you need to place a hole in the bottle cap, create a cone to fit to the bottom of the bottle and you have a rocket, use a tube for the launch and simply add the vinegar, replace the cap and put the bottle cap down in the tube then wait for the boom. Definitely one for parents to supervise.
Music Centre
One of my faves is this music center, simple and entertaining for the kids. Take any number of pots and pans, empty glass bottles with varying amounts of water and well, anything that makes a noise. Let the kids decide what order to put them in and give them some wooden or plastic sticks and watch them go. I placed old pots on a piece of wood and some old tubing, with bottles and a bucket or two and the kids played with it for hours. Easy, fun and noisy, just what the kids love.