Enjoying the snow in Andover

Well, we hope we have seen the last of the major snow for this year. The sheer amount of snow that fell in Hampshire over the past couple of weeks has made getting to work and managing the household just that little bit more interesting.

With many of the local schools and roads closed at short notice a lot of us were left juggling work commitments whilst unexpectedly having to look after or occupy the kids as well.

Even for you lucky enough to be working from home, there is still a need to create a manageable routine that keeps the kids entertained, whilst allowing time to check emails, return phone calls and deal with the usual work commitments.

If we do get another cold snap here are a few tips for keeping house-bound kids entertained without breaking the bank:

Creative Crafts

Recycle older jar lids, buttons, scraps of material, empty can and magazines and create a collage on the back of cereal boxes or on roll of unwanted wall paper. Put everything on the floor or on the table, let them select the materials and let their creative ideas and imagination take over.

Younger children love to rummage through boxes and it’s often a good idea to stock up and keep a box of items that can be used in a variety of craft activities. You will also need to provide glue, sellotape and scissors, so keep these essentials handy. Be interested and encouraging, so why not place a gold star on the work as a little recognition of their efforts.

Also remind them tidy up when completed – its good to keep the disciplines they would be used to at school.

Why not take a digital photo of the completed work and show them how to upload it and email it to a friend or to school for discussion when they return.

Baking

Always a favourite in our household! Children of all ages love to help with the baking in the kitchen. They could help to plan the evening meal and browse through cookbooks for recipes that they can bake.

Help them to understand weights and measurements and the importance of kitchen safety - younger kids will need supervision when putting their creations into the oven.

Soups are also very easy to make, a great way to use leftover vegetables and an ideal meal for cold winter days. See their faces light up when they enjoy the fruits of their labour.

Our blackboard stickers and road stickers have been a god-send over the past week. The kids have set them up in the kitchen and have had a lot of fun playing good old hang man and nought and crosses whilst one of us cooks.

Board games

Your children may have received games as Christmas presents and not had an opportunity to try them out. There is nothing better than the traditional board game to keep children excited, and still build in a little learning to boot.

Invite their neighbouring friends around to play a challenging game like monopoly.

This should keep them occupied for hours as they negotiate their way around the different streets, trade property, keep out of jail and practice their mental arithmetic as they learn to deal with pretend money. Or how about Scrabble as a great fun way to occupy minds whilst exploring new words and spelling.

Other ideas

• Dressing Up. Not necessarily as out-moded as you think. Kids love pretending to be adults, or perhaps there is a costume for a play that needs to be planned
• Keep a multi quiz exercise book handy just in case. Word search, spot the difference, IQ challenges, can all occupy the kids for a few minutes.
• Modelling – challenge them on a new lego or kinex creation, or perhaps get around to re-making the broken model that’s been hanging around in the bedroom.

More Snow ??

If we do get more snow, then it is best to wrap up warm and get out there with the kids to make the most of the opportunity. Make a snow man, do a bit of sledging, even attempt to build an igloo. For many in the UK we get so very little snow that the fun and excitement of a fresh fall just must not be missed.

Can you stay at home and play more often, Mum?

Don’t forget to give them ‘me’ time, for quiet play alone. This can help your children to develop concentration, the ability to focus on one activity, and develop independent creative thought.

With a little bit of planning and guidance, your children can easily occupy themselves without resort to the TV or computer games. And who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised when they say what a great day they have had and you won’t dread the next time they have to stay at home.

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