Summer days can be long and fun-filled for your child, or they can be, well, just long. Once school’s out, and the kids are home — for summer break or those rainy days — things can become chaotic… quick. Whether you are a working parent or stay-at-home, you are probably looking for quick and affordable ways to offset the boredom. Sometimes, it’s the things you already have at home that will enthral your child. The kitchen always works for me — the mess is intimidating, but the joy that my son gets from cracking an egg is priceless! I have rounded up a few affordable and quick activities that you can do at home to keep your little ones occupied.
Brightspark
Driven by Anisha Jaipuria, a Montessori teacher, Brightspark offers aids and play-based learning activities for children under eight. Almost all of her educational aids have successfully engaged my son — geo board being a recent favourite. Her phonic box and number bag set are fun and help children develop language and writing skills. Also, most of them allow for independent play. She lists multiple activities and their benefits on her Instagram profile. They actually work.
Do a science experiment
You can do innumerable science experiments at home using daily objects lying around your house and with a little prep. A repeat favourite of mine is laying a cloud of shaving cream on water in a jar or glass, then adding drops of edible colour. Once the cloud saturates, you get colourful rain.
Easy to do science experiments at home can be engaging and fun Shutterstock
Smartivity also offers a lot of science experiment boxes that could engage budding scientists at home. These kits cater to all age groups up to 14 years of age and have multiple experiments — enough to keep them occupied for a few weeks.
You can buy the Smartivity Science Kits here.
Chef it up
Bake cakes, cookies, cupcakes and let your children have fun decorating them. Getting children involved in baking is the safest introduction for them to the kitchen. Plus, you get yummy treats and time to bond with them. Once they get comfortable, they’ll be baking up a storm without your help.
Mess aside, baking is a greay way to spend time with the kids and creating something special
While it might get a bit messy, the joy and pride they get in creating something special makes it all worthwhile. There are tons of recipes online that can get your creative juices flowing. Also, check out Jamie Oliver’s Baking Ideas.
Scrapbooking
This one is an oldie but a goldie! I still have scrapbooks from when I was a tween. They have a charm that albums on social media will never match – the smell of old paper and the nostalgia of quirky messages from your friends is priceless. You can get a small Kodak printer and start creating your own scrapbook immediately. It’s like a time capsule that your children can treasure later in life.
Scrapbooking is a great way to create a memory bank to look back on Shutterstock
There are DIY kits that simplify the process and help you get started. Scrapbooking is a fail safe method to engage children and help them concentrate. Check out some scrapbooking kits here.
Imaginative play
A child’s best toll is their imagination. Encourage them to dream big and create freely — build a Lego city, put on a theatrical play, create a superhero narrative and make their costumes or build a fort with pillows and blankets. The possibilities are endless.
Encourage a child’s imaginative play Shutterstock
Other creative activities work too — painting rocks, making friendship or charm bands for all the young Swifties, solving puzzles or playing with dough. One of my favourite activities is freezing my son’s small toys in water balloons; he loves the excitement of chipping away the ice to find his treasure.
Indoor Olympics
Set up your version of the Olympics in the living room! Create obstacle courses with pillows and let them find their way, or play ‘The Floor is Lava’ for more excitement. These balance balls, available on Amazon, will help and are fun for all ages.
And indoor obstacle course can keep your energetic child engaged iStock
Having a loose summer schedule has helped me keep things flexible. Each day, we have one fun activity to look forward to. If we don’t make it one day, it’s no big deal, it’s summertime! Some days are as simple as the child playing with the water hose while I work while others involve creating aluminium foil characters and imagining an entire city for them.
The author is an economist and full-time millennial mother, struggling to cope with daily chores.