HOPEFULLY, all you parents out there are enjoying this fabulous Northern Irish summer. I think if you love apocalyptic wind, biblical rain and ceaselessly complaining children who are perpetually bored, you'll be in your element. But the rest of us might be finding our nerves are wearing a little thin, two weeks into this epic eight-week school holiday adventure.
When our days are marred by Irish rain, and the usual outdoor pursuits you might have planned to keep the kids occupied are a wash out, it can be very challenging to keep them entertained. But a little imagination goes a long way and there are still plenty of activities that will keep them busy as well as keeping your sanity reasonably intact. Here are a few ideas.
INDOOR GAMES
Gather board games, card games, or puzzles that are suitable for your child's age. Engage in friendly competition and spend quality time playing together.
ARTS AND CRAFTS
Set up a dedicated arts and crafts station with supplies like colouring books, crayons, markers, cardboard, glue, and scissors. Encourage your kids to unleash their creativity and make various artworks.
MOVIE OR TV SHOW MARATHON
Choose a series of age-appropriate movies or television shows for a cosy indoor movie marathon. Get a theme and run with it. Perhaps Harry Potter, Jurassic Park or the Indiana Jones movies? Prepare themed food, maybe popcorn, snacks, and drinks to enhance the experience and bring the cinema to your living room.
COOKING OR BAKING SESSION
Involve your children in the kitchen by planning a cooking or baking activity. Find a child-friendly recipe and let them assist with measuring ingredients, mixing, or decorating.
Read more:
Leona O'Neill: Holistic Kidz helps youngsters benefit from the great outdoors
Leona O'Neill: It's important we teach kids empathy and kindness
INDOOR FORT-BUILDING
Gather blankets, pillows, and chairs to construct an indoor fort. Kids can use their imagination to create secret hideaways or cosy reading nooks within the fort.
INDOOR TREASURE HUNT
Create a treasure hunt with clues hidden throughout the house. Designate small prizes or treats at the end of the treasure hunt to add excitement.
SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS
Conduct simple science experiments using household items. Look up age-appropriate experiments online and be sure to check the final outcome, you don't want a huge mess to clean up afterwards.
INDOOR CAMPING
Set up an indoor camping experience by pitching a tent or creating a makeshift one with blankets. Tell stories, play shadow puppets, make and enjoy camping-themed snacks.
VIRTUAL TOURS OR EDUCATIONAL WEBSITES
Take advantage of online resources that offer virtual tours of museums, zoos, or landmarks. Engage your kids in learning while exploring the world from the comfort of your home.
Remember, rainy days can also be an opportunity for kids to engage in imaginative play and quality family time. Be flexible and open to their ideas, and don't forget to make the most of the break from the usual routine.
And it's not just the younger kids who get bored when the weather's bad. There are plenty of activities teenagers can enjoy during summer holidays when it rains without spending money. Suggest a few of these. If the eye-rolling isn't advanced and intense in response, they might just try it out.
INDOOR EXERCISE OR YOGA
Look up exercise routines or yoga videos on platforms like YouTube and create a workout session at home. Engaging in physical activity can boost mood and energy levels.
LEARN A NEW SKILL OR HOBBY
Utilise online resources to learn something new. Whether it's playing a musical instrument, painting, coding, or cooking, there are numerous free tutorials and courses available on the internet.
DIY PROJECTS
Tap into their creativity by engaging in do-it-yourself projects. They can upcycle old clothes, create jewellery, make room decor, or experiment with various crafts using materials available at home.
MOVIE OR TV SHOW MARATHON
Similar to the suggestion for younger kids, teenagers can have a movie or TV show marathon as well. They can binge-watch a series they've been meaning to catch up on or discover classic movies from different genres.
VOLUNTEER WORK
Look for local volunteering opportunities that align with your teenager's interests or causes they care about. This could include helping at a local shelter, organizing a community clean-up, or assisting with a charity event.
ORGANIZE AND DECLUTTER
Use the rainy days as an opportunity to de-clutter and organize their living space. They can rearrange their room, sort through clothes, books, or other items, and donate or recycle what they no longer need.
And to the parents, I say this: Hang in there. There are only about six weeks of this left. The school bell will toll before you know it.
