When you’re stressed out about your Christmas to-do list, it can be hard to keep your young ones busy while they’re off school.
It can be tricky keeping your children entertained during the festive period, especially when you have so much to do.
When you’re stressed out about your Christmas to-do list, it can be hard to keep your young ones busy while they’re off school.
According to mum and Debutots drama teacher, Jennifer David, don’t feel like you have to keep your kids occupied every minute of the day.
“Don’t feel guilty and try to fill every minute of every day,” she advises. “Boredom is the key to creativity, so while it’s a good idea to have activities and supplies at hand for your children, it is important for them to learn to keep themselves entertained too. You need to make sure that the screen is not the first thing that your child reaches for when they are bored. This teaches them independence and encourages them to think creatively.”
To help you out, Jennifer has shared some affordable and screen-free boredom-busting tips.
Stock up on creative materials
“Old boxes, tubes, cartons, lids, packaging and fabric can be used for junk modelling or perhaps to create a board game which you can play on Christmas Day,” she suggests. “Magazines and newspapers can be cut up to create collages and decorations. All of these materials can be used to make cards so that children can write thank you messages for the gifts that they have received. This is a great way to channel their creativity as well as keeping them busy for a couple of hours.”
Snacks
Jennifer recommends keeping a bowl of healthy snacks and some water nearby to allow your children to tuck in whenever they feel peckish.
Put on a show
Encourage your children to put on a play or magic show.
“Let them come up with the script, characters, design a set, create props, arrange ticketing, make-up, photography and filming. It will keep them busy and is an activity that works with a house full of children of all ages,” Jennifer says.
Fort building
Peel your children away from the TV with the temptation of building a fort.
“Grab some throws, a few chairs, some cushions, and whatever else you can think of to encourage your children to test their coordination skills and build a fort,” the teacher recommends. “See if they have what it takes to survive a few hours in the wilderness of the bedroom/living room.”
Routines
Try and keep as close to a regular routine for bedtime as possible to give you some time to relax after a busy day.
“It is also important to set and stick to boundaries too. Children need to learn to tidy up after themselves, know when playtime is over and stick to the routine that you have set,” Jennifer concludes. “This gives them time to rest and reset for the next day so that you can rest and reset for the next day too.”
—Cover Media via Reuters Connect
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