Ideas for Half-Term Fun

Children love having a week off school and half term holidays are always a great excitement. For parents, the idea of having hyper children around the house all week might not be quite so enthralling, but with a bit of planning and preparation, you should be able to come up with enough ideas to keep them happy and amused all week. If you're stuck for inspiration, here are some ideas to get you going!

Creative Pursuits

If your kids are into crafting, being creative and making things is a good option, especially when the weather isn't so good. You could either have a day set aside for crafts or a couple of mornings in the week, whatever works best for you. If you're not particularly crafty yourself and the idea of trying to come up with a project for them is totally daunting, then there are plenty of kits available to buy. Depending on the age of your kids and the nature of the project, you may need to supervise them.

Some ideas for crafty projects include:

• Making a necklace or bracelet (you can buy kits).
• Making a small mosaic panel (kits available).
• Painting a picture.
• Painting a ceramic pot (kits available).
• Making a name plate for their bedroom.
• Making clothes for dolls.
• Making a castle.
• Making an aeroplane.
• Making cards.
• Potato prints.

Energy Burners

If your kids are super hyper and driving you mad, them some energy burning activities will be top of your list! There are some activities that are completely free of charge and involve lots of energy, and others that you could use as treats, as they will involve an entry fee.

Free activities:

• Football or cricket in the park.
• A walk in the country, on a beach or around a town/city.
• A cycle ride.
• Playing in the garden.
• Hide and seek.
• Flying a kite.
• Collecting shells or pebbles on the beach.
• Collecting autumn leaves.

Paid activities:

• A swimming trip.
• Go-carting.
• Paint-balling.
• Joining a sports holiday club for occasional sessions / the whole week.
• Trip to a play centre with climbing frames etc (especially for younger children).
• Sports tuition.

Other Indoor Activities

If you need to spend time indoors, perhaps due to poor weather, then there are plenty of other indoor activities that are fun for children. You can even make the more mundane activities, like cleaning, seem fun. For example, you could try:

• Baking and cooking - choose an easy recipe, like biscuits or cakes, and get everyone involved.
• Making a den - especially with younger children.
• Playing computer / video games.
• Watching a video.
• Helping with the cleaning - make it fun by teaching them some new tips or tricks they won't have come across before.
• Room tidying - with prizes for the quickest / best tidier!

Other Days Out

A day out somewhere is also a good option especially if it's geared up to children and can keep them occupied for a whole day. Look for places that aren't too far to get to, that are good for the weather (mainly outdoor activities in the spring, indoor if it's cold in the autumn) and that will interest your children.

There are child-oriented attractions throughout the UK and you'll find details advertised locally, or in your local Tourist Information centre. Nationwide organisations, like the National Trust and the Royal Horticultural Society, also frequently offer special children's events during school holidays, so it's worth looking out for details.

Whatever you do, enjoy your half term holiday. Cherish the extra time that you get to spend with your children, teach them new skills, learn new things together and have some great days out. They're only young once!