The Easter Holidays have arrived. Children across the country are celebrating, no more school for two whole weeks.
Whether you work full time, work from home, or stay at home; if you’re a mom, the common childhood complaint of boredom will haunt you these holidays unless you plan ahead.
Host a Barbie picnic
Summer is drawing to a close, so take full advantage of a sunny day by hosting a Barbie-themed Easter picnic. Let your little girls invite a couple of friends over, tell them to dress in Barbie pink, and bring their favourite Barbie dolls to join in the fun.
Spread a blanket on the lawn. Complete the picture with a couple of jugs of water (or pink milk, if you’re feeling brave!) and a selection of real biscuits.
Build a Hot Wheels rally track
Nothing entertains children quite like toy cars, so why not host an outdoor Hot Wheels rally championship? This season’s hottest Hot Wheels includes a selection of bikes, monster trucks, drift cars and mini quads - perfect for outdoor terrain.
Build a traditional track using the Hot Wheels track builder, but encourage the kids to expand their play into the garden, using sand and mud to create their own rally courses.
Sand and mud play is widely recognised as one of the joys of childhood, not only because the kids are actually encouraged to get dirty, but also for its open-endedness - there really is no limit to what kids can build, no right and wrong, and no end to the entertainment.
So why not throw a Barney-themed slumber party?
While some kids simply enjoy the sensation of playing with mud, others will relish the opportunity to build intricate tracks, with obstacles constructed of sticks, leaves and stones. Just remember to dress the kids in old clothing.
Throw a slumber party
Chickens aren’t the only animals that lay eggs this Easter - Dinosaurs do too! So why not throw a Barney-themed slumber party? If the kids are too young to sleep over, suggest a ‘sleep under’ - where they come for early evening dinner and fun, but go home to sleep in their own beds.
Ten pin bowling
Ten pin bowling is all the rage these holidays, perfect for either indoor or outdoor play. Ball skills are another vital building block in childhood development, teaching hand eye co-ordination, motor skills and timing. Hosting a friendly tournament is also a great way to introduce young children to competitive play, teaching them the joy of winning, but also the inevitability of losing, and the importance of being a good sport, win or lose.
Take the kids shopping
When all else fails, it’s time to get out the house!