How do I cope with the school holidays and no money?

Mudbath

Lilly - it sounds like your son is going to have the best christmas ever. I'm going to borrow your idea of making lightsabers....my son will love that. Also, I didn't realise miracle on 34th Street was on today so i'm watching that (we watched the remake a few weeks ago but it's not as good). Have a very happy christmas and good luck in finding a great job in 2009. Take care xx

Valli

pigpen wrote: »

on the whole I don't think children NEED to be entertained they find their own entertainment. Children who are able to find enjoyment from the things they have and their own imagination are a credit to the parents who have taught them to be independant and self sufficient.

Well said!

borderlakland

SunnyGirl wrote: »

Here is the play dough recipe that I was given 14yrs ago when my daughter was in nursery! My 3 have all loved it & I've cooked up batches many times for school and various friends. My 14 yr old son will still sit and play with this as long as nobody notices him partaking in such an uncool activity

I use a standard coffee mug for the measurements.

1 Cup plain flour
1/2 Cup Salt (normal cooking stuff not the sea/rock salt)
1 Cup water mixed with food colouring of your choice
1 Tablespoon cooking oil
2 Teaspoons of cream of tartar

Put the flour, salt, cream of tartar into a pan. Add the water, food colouring & oil and turn the heat on. Keep stirring until the mixture has become a big blob - only a couple of minutes. Remove from the pan & knead briefly.

This keeps for a good 2 - 3 months in an old ice cream tub or similar. You can make as many lurid mixtures of colours as you want. Bright reds, blues, yellows & lime greens seemed to be popular with my boys.

Good luck finding a new job & enjoy the time together in the meantime.

we have used this one for about that long as well(puts cream of tartar on shopping list:o) but also often add glitter(great for xmas) to the mix and sometimes a "smell" like vanilla essence for a change

mouseymousey99

Wow you have so much here I'm loathe to add my two pence worth. Look at the time as a gift. How about fostering a hobby something he can draw on for years to come? The one that springs to mind is dinosaurs, local museums etc normally have something on offer during Christmas (and free) and follow on with library books etc. Make a kite and take it out on a windy day. I'm sure you are going to have a fab time and as others have said whatever you provide, children normally amuse themselves anyway!! Best wishes...

studentgirl_2

Sorry I think I saw a thread on here a year or so ago about this.

Im off work this easter with the kids age 10 & 15 with very little money. and they are board and so am I. im normaly quite good with ideas. The 15 ds has lots of home work so he is quite sorted. DS 10 is driving me mad. I really want to avoid to much xbox.so here is my list.
baking
orange wednesday
the park
board games
cards

and im stuck PLEASE help :eek::eek:

sammy_kaye18

Hi Chick

I know the feeling - I have a 5 year old little boy to keep amused and Im 7 months pregnant - woohoo! but it means anything to exerting and im shattered! and I'm trying to think of cost effective / free things I can do with Ben to keep him occupied in the holidays!

So far we have
*build a den together to play in
*story days (so lots of biscuits/hot chocolate and us cuddled up on the sofa together
*sink or swim - hes learning about what sinks and swims so might use the bath tub and some random objects to have some fun with
*baking
* painting - got a cheap paint set last year so will let him do that
* salt dough crafting - might make some salt dough and get a head start on
some birthday / Xmas decorations with him
*duck day - yes i live in Wales so this is regularly - but wellies on and out for
a paddle!
*outings

---

* we have a soft play place in town so might try there - £2.50
for as long as he likes
* grandmas house - that's pretty self explanitory
* cinema - might make this a day out and see my sister and
niece in the process
*margam - a local country park with kids village, climbing play
area, small farm yard and birds of prey etc and free to get in
so just bus fare needed

other than that he's happy taking the dog out for a walk to the river and sitting blowing bubbles. Like you though Im trying to avoid him spending too much time on the XBOX or his DS. Hope thats helped in some way.

x

girlracer

hi
i have two girls aged 8 and 4, and very little money. i just get there bikes out and we go to parks on bikerides. they love it, keeps us all fit 2

se999

If the 10 year old is into reading, the library is always a good option.

Also check the noticeboard there for activities, and your local newspaper and tourist info for free/cheap places to visit.

Also swimming.

Teens and pre-teens aren't the easiest to keep happily occupied.

littleredhen

kids club at vue cinema only 95p each
check primary times and see if there's anything on in your area
go on a megabus or train journey to somewhere else!

bellaquidsin

The library.

They may have books of ideas, also check out for any activities they may have on for the holidays.

Museums have activities too if you have one reasonably close, to avoid bus fares.

Teach her to knit, if you can knit, if not youtube has tutorials and you could learn together.

A trawl of local charity shops so find needles and yarn for above if you don't have them to hand.

Swimming, some areas have free swimming for kids and adults too.

A picnic - anywhere - park or the back garden or even the kitchen floor, but she makes the picnic.

Bella.