How to keep children entertained during the holidays

Knowing how to keep children amused through the school holidays can sometimes be daunting for parents, especially when you find your hand is always in your purse. Here are a few ideas that won’t cost you an arm and a leg!

• Have an arts and craft day and get some canvas and paints, they can be bought in bargain shops and use paints or crayons and the children can hang up their creations in their rooms.

• Make a list of your favourite childhood games - old favourites such as hopscotch, putting on a show or marbles won’t cost the earth and your children will enjoy you reminiscing!

• In the evenings get the kids to design a game that you can make the next day give them ideas to keep it simple such as a paper boat race in the paddling pool or homemade skittles using a tennis ball and empty toilet rolls.

• Have you ever thought about Origami? All you need is paper and instructions which can be found online, will keeps kids amused and they will learn a new skill.

What about a movie session, but at home . . . you could even get the children to dress up!

Choose the movies, make the popcorn, let the children dress up and you will be able to pop your feet up at the same time!

And why not have an inside picnic with a rug and a tepee, a cave hut with chairs and blankets, let the children help with make the sandwiches and ice the cake.

And then there are the teenagers!

Why not let them work on your family tree or find out more on your family history.

Let them plan an evening meal and maybe with a little persuasion you could send them to buy the ingredients and cook it!

Start a podcast or make an escape room . . . all the info on how to . . . they will find online. . . . and finally, as a family, an evening quiz or light your brazier or fire and cook some marshmallows, old school I know, but still, lots of fun!