Any Ideas on Cheap Things To Do With Older Children and Teenagers in the Holidays?

Amanda65

I;ve done several holidays with my ante-natal girls from when I had DD1 and the assortment of children we've had and the fllowing ahve gone down well:

1) Make a dirty washing bag out of a pillowcase. Add a drawstring and decorate
with fabric paints

2) Make a cushion a a memento of a day out - decorate again with paints or a
collage of materials

3) Sweets - I still love making them and I'm 42! Look on on the OS board for
recipes

4) Is there a local museum not too for away? The town up from our village has
one and there are often things on in the holidays related to local history.

And look on the days out Board - there are some great ideas for cheap / free things to do!

Witsend_2

Now could be a good time to get ahead for Christmas:eek: why not make christmas cards one day or scrapbook their baby photos as it's about them they will love the stories you will be able to share. I find just getting the photos and videos out passes an afternoon with my two.

Also maybe some voluntary work (it is good for their soul I find) just some gardening for a neighbour or watering plants etc giving something back to the community shows responsibilty. Goodness I will be preeching next :eek:

Following on with the christmas theme what about homemade gifts? preserved berries, pressed flower notelets that kind of thing. I often find that the inexpensive ideas give them the most pleasure.
Thanks for starting this:A I will be watching too although mine are older now DS13:rolleyes: DD17:eek:

the_cat

Hi Frogga
We are planning a similar summer to you – have decided to save some pennies by ‘holidaying at home’ this year. This has given us a bit of a budget for days out etc but I am still trying to use as many cheap/free ideas as I can.
These are some of the ideas me and my 2 DS’s (age 15 and 12) have come up with:

1. Maize maze – lots around and something we haven’t tried before. As they are based on farmland could also incorporate PYO/farm shops
2. Both boys love sports so will be doing a lot of the following – playing tennis, badminton, pitch and put golf, mountain biking in local woods/public footpaths, cricket
3. Beach – still enjoy this especially if we take their little cousins with us. If asked even DS1 (15) will even make sandcastles happily for the 3 year old!!!
4. Swimming – I know you said your DD is reluctant. Would she feel happier going if you travelled to the next town where she won’t run into kids (ie boys!) from school/the village
5. Sleepovers – espec if combined with the camping idea
6. Cooking – boys have decided to cook for us/grandparents at least once each as a ‘dinner party’
7. DVD’s. If you have any rental companies you haven’t already tried, how about signing up for a free trial period
8. Gaming afternoons – rent games for their favourite console from Blockbuster (not my fav by any means but keeps them happy on a rainy afternoon)
9. Library – neither would touch the sticker reading scheme with a bargepole, but will still get through a load of books each per week
10. Drama workshops – lots in our area and not very expensive (well, here at least!)
11. Local animal welfare centre is having a family day – we will go to that. Free entry, with fun agility and show classes for dogs. You could even set up some practise in the garden if your hounds can be persuaded to ‘have a go’
12. Model painting – both of them love those Warhammer figures and they have some which they either haven’t painted or want to redo. They will probably overrun the dining room table for a couple of mass battles at some point too.
13. To my surprise they have asked to go to Imperial War Museum……FREE. Lots of other free museums to choose from too,

HTH, Cat

morg_monster

Have you got any glass paints? They are great for decorating empty jars and bottles. Quite therapeutic and I find girls and boys both like it. The outlay isn't too much (should be able to get quite a few colours and some black or silver outlining stuff for a tenner), they last well and the jars and bottles are free! Even the youngest child's botched attempt looks lovely on a sunny windowsill.

lady_stardust

Look out for cheap old furniture off Freecycle/jumble sales like chests of drawers or chairs, and let them paint it however they like (stars? animal prints?) if it's good they can keep it, if its not great and they lose interest, you can always freecycle it on!

frogga

Going to "the Range" to get all sorts of crafty things this afternoon. Thanks for all the ideas Guys :A

~jules~_3

My son used to enjoy origami, crabbing(we put them back lol) and making things with cardboard boxes.

Shineyhappy

If they are into arts and crafts, why not ask them to put on a play? Either from a favourite book or a made up one? You could give them a hand making costumes and then on a nice Summer evening they can entertain their family.

momaluce

just wanted to add, what a FAB post!!!

have you tried your ocal council/or neighbouring council as our neighbouring one have a lovely booklet with free/cheep activities with many suitable for over 10s (eg, arts days at the local libraries, football summer schools, lifesaving courses) although my 11 year old will be learning to sew ..... naming lables onto secondary school uniform LOL

Glad

pizza making
buy some bases, tomato puree and various things for toppings and let them/pals create and cook their own dinner