Keeping kids entertained in half term - inspiration needed!

[GrahamNortonsjacket]

I am looking after my friend's two boys (5 and 7) along with my DDs (6 and 2) one day this week beacuse of an INSET day.

I have done this before and it's exhausting. The boys need constant entertaining or the trash the place or keep asking what to do next.

My plan was to timetable the day including meals and snacks and movie time in the afternoon when I am knackered.
What other activities can we do? I can't really take them out, so will be housebound.

We have done treasure hunts and built dens in the past but I have run out of inspiration! Any suggestions gratefully received

its only one day, is that right? or all half term.

I think you can probably cope at home for one day.

The pizza making idea is a good one.

Salt dough creations in the morning then they could paint them in the afternoon.

film time with a big tub of popcorn (and the curtains shut? = cinema!!)

lego making competition

colouring? print off some pics off the internet or get a cheap colouring book from poundland and pull out the pages.

maybe just a short walk for some fresh air?

do you have a garden? maybe scooters etc in the garden?

It wouldn’t occur to me for a second not to go out.
You need to go out!!

Personally, I would rather let them trash to place rather than have to entertain them all day...I'd rather have an hour of tidying at the end (they can help) than 8 hours of 'crafts and activities'. Agree that getting out is a good idea - if you have done den building - then do you have a garden - kick them out in that?

What a different world! I don't think it would ever have occurred to my parents or my friend's parents that they needed to entertain us. if I complained of being bored my Dad replied 'only boring people are bored', and that was the end of expecting him to do anything. We really did make our own fun in those days....

how far is too far, and do they have weather appropriate clothing?

Get some cheap soft pillows, and some white cotton covers and fabric pens. Get them to decorate them, have a pillow fight then make a den in the living room with a movie and popcorn (there's usually a good kids new release around half term times)

If anyone you know is getting rid of any massive cardboard boxes, make a 'house' and get them to paint it (or buy one from a storage depot).

Get iSpy books and magnifying pots and get them to look for bugs in the garden and make an insect hotel.

Bake some cakes