So, the anticipation is over and the summer holidays are finally here! (well they are in France at least ;o)) Whilst it would be lovely to think that the next 8/6 weeks will be a heady mix of wall to wall sunshine and carefree children brimming over with ideas to fill their precious free time; we all know that it's more likely to chuck it down with rain and the kids will be bored witless by tuesday....
so to help stave off some of the holiday blues here are my top three picks of places to get ideas / things to do.
1. Book - Usbourne '50 things' series, and particularly '50 science things to make and do'.
by Kate Knighton and Georgina Andrews
Tom LOVES his copy - it covers all sorts of topics and explains the science behind the activity. Nothing is expensive or complicated, the instructions are easy to follow, and the sprial bound book is practical and has so far survived various spillages! Just hours of fun for boys (and girls) who like messy science :o)
2. Web www.activityvillage.co.uk
I LOVE this site. It was set up in 2000 by Uk based Lindsay Small and has just oodles and oodles of great free stuff to keep kids of all ages busy - loads of printables, and craft ideas, and recipes, and games, and jokes, and puzzles, on just about every subject under the sun. So there really is something for everyone, and plenty of boy stuff too :o)
3. Blog Slightly cheating, but obviously there's our blog too :o) reread some of the posts and think laterally you might just find the inspiration you and your kids are looking for. And if that's not enough, here's a quick bonus project to get you started.
Tom's stilts: Materials - Two large metal cans (I used dried baby milk tins) ;
acrylic paint; thick cord; duct tape; short lengths of plastic tubing; suitable drill and bit
- Carefully drill two holes in both tins - directly opposite each other. The hole should be big enough to fit the plastic tube snugly. (It will work without the tubing, but the tin is likely to cut through the cord )
- Decorate the tins as you choose - I used acrylic paints, which so far are standing up to being bashed around! (although on closer examination is starting to chip a bit) But you could use adhesive paper or metal paints.
- Insert the tubing, then thread the cord through knotting tightly UNDERNEATH the tins. I also stuck the knot to the underside of the tin with some duct tape.
- To make them easier to use, I fashioned a couple of handles out of duct tape, but this isn't vital.
- Have fun - but please don't sue me if your child breaks their ankle!!!
Don't forget to keep looking over the hols, as we're all going to be travelling around, there won't be any formal posts, but we'll be keeping you up to date with our travels. And make sure you pay attention, there'll be a test at the start of the new term ;o)
Happy Holidays xx