Help me entertain kids 6, 9, 15 & 18 for 2 days

[WeaverofWords]

We will be 2 single parents, children aged 6, 9, 15 and 18. Older ones will dip in and out. I need some ideas for how to break up a few very long days together…

30th:
Lunch out?
Walk
Was wondering about Lap of Lights at Silverstone

31st
Walk

Icing biscuits

Hot choc “station” with whipped cream, sprinkles etc

Taking chocolate decorations from tree & melting to make errr more chocolates in mould? Or brownies?

Bingo later with real coins

Buffet when staying up

Or should we go out for the meal for NYE lunch?

I’m overthinking, but it’s because the younger kids have A LOT of energy & last time there were far too many games of hide n seek and the house was turned upside down.

Please share idea! Also for meals. I thought big fry ups with pancakes, maybe beef stew one evening?

Eek I may have bitten off more than I can chew…

A walk each day, but surely they will have loads of new toys etc to play with, at 6 and 9 they should be able to play together and entertain themselves for periods of time.

Suppose it depends how much you normally do, we as parents have never done that much, a trip out each day and then watch films or play with toys

I’d get the children doing the cooking - especially the older ones.
Board games, card games, charades
Buy a load of rolls and put out tomato, cheese and other pizza toppings and let everyone make their own pizza rolls
Have a quiet hour - everyone (including you) has to sit and read
Could they be persuaded to put on their own pantomime/ show - that would take hours in the planning

DSis taught her and my children Pontoon over Christmas,,gambling with real money (everyone started with 10 x 1p). Lots of fun.

Make pizzas from scratch

Tex-Mex meal - build your own tacos/nachos - put out grated cheese,,salad, retried beans,
Chilli, cold turkey,,salsa, sour cream, avocado etc and get everyone to build their own.

I’d say calm it down a bit. They don’t have to feel “entertained” all day long, it’s important they have time to do things they want to do.

Did they have any Xmas presents they will play with? I’d really encourage time for them to do that.
A film each afternoon also.

Just Dance? Loads availabke on youtube for free if you don't have a switch. Always a lot of fun and burns a lot of energy for the younger ones.

Rice krispie cakes for 'baking' without making any mess?

Floor is lava - get some cushions or anything that you can stand on really and scatter around the floor, shout 'floor is lava' and they all have to jump onto the nearest one then make up challenges for them to move about or things to do on their spot.

Card games.

Would the older ones want to be entertained? Maybe lunch out and a walk at most? My teens are very resistant to organised group activities.

We've got kids from 9-17. We're going to do an online escape room on Nye.

Getting them to do their own show is a great idea
Scavenger hunts. You can do them on your walks too eg number of dogs they see, colour of the door at the house on the corner etc

Collect items while walking and make collage pictures

Look up funny things on YouTube to watch together
For Xmas, instead of making a gingerbread house my SIL did a chocolate house. Walls and roof were kit Kats stuck together with melted chocolate. Then decorated with sweets and other chocolates. Looked amazing.
Then we smashed and ate it.

Make everyone contribute to meals. Younger ones can help prepare veges, make desserts etc.

BRILLIANT suggestions, wow thank you so much!

My own DCs were happy to play quietly or read at that age but these kids are pretty energetic and always have activities on, so I think that it's wise for me to have some things planned that we could then cancel, rather than have to think up things on the spot. They will have been a bit cooped up in these days so the novelty may well have worn off new toys... but let's see! Yes, will suggest a film, YouTube clips, etc. they usually enjoy a quiet hour or so doing those things.

I'll remind them to bring their favourite Christmas presents - they can give a show n tell, they will love that.

Yes, they like performing very much. Last time they made a video. This time I will get them to do a show. Might find a box of old jewellery and make up for costume!

Yes, the older ones have offered to help with cooking, although I tend to pre-prepare stuff.

Great idea about cards and pontoon. They already like Monopoly but it went on for hours last time, and the little one was a bit bored. I think the idea of a few real coins and cards will go down very well. We could also get into teams.

Brilliant idea about the rice krispie cakes for 'baking' - that will get rid of extra choc, too, and they can take them home!

The older ones will dip in and out. I'm keen not to put too much pressure on them - have said join for meal and maybe they can hang out with the other adult. It often breaks up the group like that, too, and that works well .

Wow, I'm so glad I posted! I woke up in a panic over this this morning but I feel much more on top of it. Keep the ideas coming, I may have missed things!

Oh yes, was just thinking as I put wrapping paper into recycling - maybe some collage stuff? What's that thing called when you glue strips and strips over and over? They would love that - maybe make some decorations for next year. I love the idea of combining it with things we find on walks...although it could be muddy.

The online escape room is inspired!

Also love idea of chocolate instead of gingerbread house. I'll see if I can get a kit of sorts! Another thing that would work very well is a dessert "station" for them to help make up puddings for everyone. Will organise extra sprinkles and ice cream, they can make everyone a little sundae.

These are brilliant!

Hope it goes well Weave you sound a lovely person.

Thank you so much, @LizzieSiddal what a lovely thing to say! Happy New Year to you.

Uno! Always Uno

A group activity everyone can enjoy like bowling? Or ice skating if available. Either would take up half a day.