GCSEs cancelled, so what new skill or activity can ds1 do while housebound, during his long break

[morejumpingfrogs]

I'd like him to do something new that will engage his brain or body, but that he'll enjoy. And not just killing it on PS games

Ideas I've had so far are -

Learning a new language - maybe Makaton or one with a different alphabet, like, say, Greek.

I'd love him to learn to bake cakes, treats for us all and I think he'd be on for that - but where to get the flour?!? Sadly, he wouldn't be as keen to learn new meals and take over feeding us (although I do insist he learn to make one new meal every school holiday).

Practising to try to do the splits or a difficult yoga position - while he's still young and flexible

Any ideas? Is there anything you can recommend that your children have tried, or that you are doing? I'd like to have a few suggestions to make, so he can choose.

I've been struggling to think of things, because he'll have to do them at home and it depends on whether we can get any equipment needed to do it.

British sign Language. Currently free for students 20hrs course- gets a certificate and you can go on to do more. Also counts to duke of Edinburgh award
Learn programming- plenty of free courses for him to get started.
Learn first aid- lots of online resources

First aid, cook( try new recipes ) , clean.

clean

Women I like the way you think but how to persuade him he wants to?!

A first aid course is a really good idea, I like that idea a lot - in fact, I think I could do with a refresher course too.

What about coding?
Loads of free stuff and courses on line

Juggling?

What about a cleaning challenge- researching ways to clean without using commercial sprays? If you're lucky, you can get him trying to prove that vinegar is as good as flash!

I'd love to challenge him to get our shower screen clean again, but that seems a bit cruel for a beginner's challenge

Juggling is a good one.

I'm showing my ignorance here, but what exactly does coding entail? Is it something he'd do on a laptop?

Learn to read music.

touch type at high speed, invaluable skill.

skillcrush.com/blog/64-online-resources-to-learn-to-code-for-free/
Loads of resources- yes it’s a laptop based thing but v good skill to learn- or how to build a website

Thanks thesand, I'll look at that.

Touch type - that's a really good idea - he won't be able to write his A Level essays on his phone!

First Aid - definitely.. it's something you could all do as a family

Baking - look up alternative recipes , maybe do cornflake cakes, or rocky road ?

Yoga - definitely good for mental.health right now

Journalling - buy a prompt journal and some cool stationery

Car - how to check oil, washer fluid etc

How to change a fuse in a plug.

In the summer I left school my mum taught me

• how to cook basic meals
• how to do laundry and iron a shirt
• how to budget

My mum would ask me to cook once a week and would help me along the way. It was alot of fun and made me feel like I was contributing.

Driving Theory if you do that in your country.
Gardening
Washing windows/cars
Washing his clothes/ironing

Ooooh. Good idea on driving theory!!

You've reminded me Peanut I want to learn to make fudge, maybe we could do that together. No flour needed for that!

The car one is a good idea - he can start learning to drive later this year (yikes!)

I took my dd for first lesson before lockdown and was in stitches laughing at how many times she died out.
Luckily we went into lockdown so I told her to stick to theory for now.
The car actually started to smoke from the engine. I told her I was a bad teacher.

Tip for driving theory: download the app and challenge yourself to get all right in one go, then get all right twice in succession etc
Daughter did this and got 49 / 50 and that was because she pressed a button too quickly on the actual test.

Juggling is a good icebreaker.

Gardening - plant seeds and grow some veg, remembering to water etc

If he's close to 17, the driving theory test would be a great head start.
Did he play an instrument in his younger days? Perhaps pick that up again, or try the guitar if you have one / can borrow one.

Is he not still getting work from school? All the years 11’s I know are still getting a full days work set.

Nikon have free photography classes online.

He could do a MOOC course. I did one through Coursera, it was interesting.

No, he isn't getting any work home from school MyDc, but college has said they'll send him some pre-reading to do soon.

I just wanted to challenge him with something different and fun to learn or do, during this unexpectedly long break.

Seconding touch typing. Dd (also year 11) spent the last week getting the keyboard learned, and is now focusing on upping her speed.

Mine play music and learn music theory. Lots of free tuition online. Also touch typing and coding. Career/job research. They enjoy using Duolingo. Learning how to make risotto tonight. Has he looked on TedEd - so many interesting videos on there. We're also growing a lot of stuff from seed. Audio books?

The Open university has some 'Open Learn' courses that are free. I have heard good things about Coursera.

Something physical? He has to get from the kitchen to the front door, but he has to stand on a single teatowel and can't use his hands. Is he a an only child? YOU can extend this to more children (or adults) and they can stand on each other's tea towels.

On the 'meme' thread there is a picture where a parent has posted the rate of pay for jobs (in Monopoly money) and a price list of snacks and treats, so they earn the money to buy the treats.

Baker Ross has loads of craft idea, mainly for younger children but I've used some with teenagers. Making key rings and the 'Day of the Dead' was really popular, but as I type that, it might not be appropriate.

Learn to do the Rubik's cube if he can't already? Not an essential skill but fun nonetheless.