Just when you thought you were settling into the school year, along pops another school holiday. Since the weather is getting cooler, it’s going to be harder to try and keep your kids occupied without them being stuck in front of a screen. Whether you’re a full-time worker or a stay at home parent, there are heaps of ways to keep the little minds occupied and have some fun whilst they’re doing it.
DIY is a great way for your kids (and you) to learn new skills, get their hands dirty and make something that they can hold, enjoy and keep. It doesn’t have to cost the earth to keep the kids occupied, just a bit of imagination.
Make A Magical, Mystical Fairy Garden
Do you want to keep your kids occupied whilst you’re doing the gardening, or introduce them to the wonderful world of plant life? If you’re a bit worried about them making a mess, but want to keep them away from the TV, how about you make a fairy garden. Simple to make and oh-so-cute, these little gardens are a beautiful little project for your kid to do.
All you need is:
- Pot or planter
- Dirt
- Flowers (hydrangeas are cute)
- Pebbles
- Birdhouse (a house for the fairies)
- Planting tools and equipment
With your kids, pour the dirt into the pot, This is heaps of fun for kids, as they can get their little hands dirty. With your planting tools and equipment, root the flower buds or seeds in the soil.
You can then start to get creative. Get the kids to arrange the pebbles and place the birdhouse in the soil, sprinkle some glitter or -fairy dust- over the garden and voila! This is a fun and exciting way to get you kids into gardening, and it teaches them to keep up to date with the growing process.
Unleash Your Inner Mad Scientist With A DIY Volcano
This is one of the most engaging and fun experiments you can do. Easy for the whole family to enjoy (especially if you’re outside), this experiment keeps the kids engaged and learning, all whilst having fun. It’s important to keep the kids learning, even when they’re not in school.
All you need is:
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- Dish washing liquid
- Orange food colouring
- Vinegar
- Party hat
- Scissors
- Small mason jar (or any glass jar, it should be a bit shorter than the hat)
There is a bit of set up required for this project, so make sure you (and not your kids) do this part. Cut the tip of the party hat off (the pointy end) and cute zig zags into the top, so it looks like a volcano. Here’s the part where the kids can join in. In the jar, pour 2 tablespoons of baking soda, ½ teaspoon of salt and add some food colouring and mix. Make sure it’s mixed really well. Them, add a squirt (or two) of the dishwashing liquid. Don’t mix this part. Place the hat on top of the jar, and get ready for some fun. Pour the vinegar into the top of the volcano, and watch the magic happen. The bubbles and gases will erupt and ooze all over the volcano.
If you’re inside, don’t forget to put down some newspaper or towels before beginning; it’s a messy project.
