Ideas - niece and nephew coming to stay

danih

Hi,

My sister is coming to stay for a weekend at the end of the month, with my 10 year old niece, and 4 year old nephew.

My husband and I don't have kids yet. We are good with our nieces and nephews, but have never had them for more then a couple of hours.

So looking for ideas of stuff to do with the kids, cheap and cheerful, to keep them happy - and hopefully tire them out!!

Also, do I need car seats or special seatbelts for them?

Rambosmum

Where abouts are you? That'll help us help you with what to do.

Yes you need car seats - booster cushion at the least for both of them though ideally the 4 year old should be in booster seat with a back and headrest.

https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules

They do it by weight and height - the 10 year old is unlikely to be the 135cm that doesn't require a car seat (age around 11).

double_mummy

rambosmum my 8 year old is larger than the 135cm so check with the parents but if they do need them halfords have boosters for £5

jackyann

Keep it simple, and have some back-up plans.

So much depends on your own interests and home set-up but here's some ideas:

Get outside if at all possible - but just walks in woods, fields, local park etc.
Some simple home made food that they can join in: decorating biscuits is a good rainy day occupation. Also, early evening, think about home-made popcorn, home assembled "floats" or sundaes and a choice of a few suitable films - especially any that you were fond of as a child which may be new to them.

Do you have any family memorabilia or photos you can have around for them to browse through? Can be fun to play "guess who this?"

Are there any little chores they might help with in the garden or similar? Things are exciting in other people's homes!

pickledonionspaceraider

danih wrote: »

Hi,

My sister is coming to stay for a weekend at the end of the month, with my 10 year old niece, and 4 year old nephew.

My husband and I don't have kids yet. We are good with our nieces and nephews, but have never had them for more then a couple of hours.

So looking for ideas of stuff to do with the kids, cheap and cheerful, to keep them happy - and hopefully tire them out!!

Also, do I need car seats or special seatbelts for them?

Surely your sister will have car seats that she can bring?

iammumtoone

I think you need to speak to your sister first as you say she is staying with her children so she might already have plans what she intends to do with them. It would be different if they were staying with you alone but as she is staying as well she already probably has ideas of where she wants to take them, if you plan things as well there might not be time to do everything. Find out if she is expecting you to entertain them first.

Have fun I am sure you will all have a great time.

SmlSave

Swimming is always fun

Baking, painting, drawing, treasure hunts and making tents

Any farms you can visit locally?

BigAunty

Buy a big bubble or bubble garland wand or make one, plus the bubble solution on the cheap. I have made or bought various wands for children between 3 and 13 and they have been given a massive thumbs up. If you ever take the mixture and wand to a local park, all the families descend on you - giant bubbles are mesmerising. For a few quid, you can generate bubbles the size of a moped or car for a few hours.

Have a picnic in the garden - put down a mat, buy paper or plastic themed cups and plates (my lot are into pirates) and share food.

I second the baking of cakes - buy a mix from a supermarket and some extra sprinkles so the youngest can do the toppings.

Buy or make a kite - more fun than it sounds. The older one might manage a stunt kite with supervision, the younger one a pocket or mini kite.

Buy a roll of blank wallpaper and some cheap pens and paints - they can draw outlines of each other and paint in the detail.

Get some bird/duck food and go to a local pond.

Face painting kits are cheap and kids love having their face painted.

Animal balloons- just a few quid off ebay for the balloons and pump and lots of tutorials on ebay for flowers, swords and animals.

danih

I am in Omagh in Northern Ireland.

My sister doesn't drive, so doesn't have car seats.

There are a few issues. My sister thinks I'm loaded, so if given the opportunity the entire weekend will be packed with expensive outings, meals and coffee's out, and expensive presents for her and the kids. She tends to be quiet happy for someone else to take over and look after the kids for her, so if I have a weekend planned to allow her to do as she pleases and relax, while taking the kids off her hands, she will be quiet happy. She is a single mum, and due to a few different things, she and the kids need some extra support. Planning to have her and the kids regularly for a few months, then when the kids are ready, have them for weekends without Mum, to give her a regular weekend off.

I have 2 dogs (westie and king charles), and have planned to walk to local duck pond, and local play park, both area's are child and dog friendly.

Will check out farms etc locally.

And thank for all the ideas for stuff to to at home - plan to be outdoors as much as we can. But was a bit stuck for what to do with them indoors.

Loz01

Indoor wise, how about just a DVD afternoon and some popcorn/snacks, you can pick those up cheaply enough in the supermarket and it saves on going to the cinema!