What are you doing with your pre-teens over half term?

[Mgup]

Normally would spend half terms taking kids to the park library and to see family over the half term break however this year, my 11 and nearly 13yr boys seem over it and are sneering at things like the aquarium etc

I have booked the week off work to spend time with them however apart from eating and gaming they don't seem interested in any activities and I obviously want them to do more than just this over the week

I am thinking of a week at Butlins but this is nearly a grand for the week and there will be another week in May and the summer to also think about

Butlins seems the most fitting as we could do with a change of scenery, and we would get one of the meal plans which include buffet type breakfast which is right up their street

I don't even feel bad about not travelling somewhere to get them some culture as after the initial 10mins or so, they will just wanna eat, banter with one another and ask when they can go on devices!

I also want a venue where we don't need to keep spending once we get there, so what are you all up to for this age group?

We did a day trip to Butlin’s on Friday which was good - and obviously less expensive than going for a week.

A bit of visiting family going on this weekend and tomorrow.

Was thinking of taking DS (10) to Go Ape one day as I’m trying to train him up to do the bigger courses ahead of our summer holiday 😂

One day he has a play date and we’re going to have some quiet days as everyone needs that.

I have 15 yo DD too. She likes to do her own thing more but we’re having a day out when DS has his play date.

If the weather is dry mine will be outside playing footy with the neighbours kids. If it's wet they'll be indoors trying to murder each other.

Mum of DD 11 here, she wants to do a shopping day and maybe a cinema trip but apart from that has arranged to see friends from school and just wants to chill. Fine with me!

For just a week off I wouldn't spend loads of money on a week away. I'd save it for when the weather is better or so something much cheaper. We're getting the train to a city and staying overnight in a hotel. £200 all in. Hoeseasons do some good deals. We're balancing some chilled days with an overnight away, a cinema trip and a trip climbing.

12 and 8 year old are with grandparents for lunch today, Science Museum towards the end of the week, swimming and lunch out, trip to the circus booked and will go out for a bike ride/walk and maybe go out for breakfast at the weekend.

@FizzyStream Im glad someone has mentioned street play

Butlins for us, paid £200 for the hotel. Tween loves it. 5 days together with minimal screen time

Ds 12 has just been home today watched a film played xbox and Thursday will be the same
Seeing friends tomorrow and going swimming Friday
But not bothering with days out and trips this holiday weather crap and he's enjoying some down time

We took DS10 into the city centre after therapy, spent a fortune on very little and got soaked. He's off to his Grandmas tomorrow until Saturday morning, then we're building a trash sculpture, apparently.

So far day trips, bowling, dinner out, and similar in the few days left to be

Sleepovers / hanging with friends / watching stuff / nice meals at home that they are cooking… nothing expensive and lots of rest

How the heck did you get Butlins for £200, I keep getting quotes for £700-£1000+!!!

I booked on the website I have also got may half term for a similar price

Which butlins are you looking at and how many are going? From your op I assumed 1 adult, 2 kids. I did a search and found hotels and chalets from £200. This doesn't include food though

12 year old Autistic daughter here, if I’d been working this week eve would have told me that I had ruined her half term by always working. I’ve taken the week off and she doesn’t want to do any activities, museums, walks etc and won’t even come with me to walk the dog. She doesn’t have any friends to go out with. We don’t have any family near us to help and she doesn’t want to go to her dad’s. She doesn’t game but she is always on Tik Tok or YouTube.

She has a lot of homework to do but won’t do it if I ask as she sees it as a demand, she’s spent this week in her room so far.

@Justkeepsplashing I have an autistic daughter with PDA so do understand - but do you think the tik tok/Youtube etc - given how addictive it is - makes it really difficult for kids to push themselves and say yes to stuff?

If you said - okay no more than an hour looking at that stuff today - and after that she was left to be bored she would be more likely to take up your offers.

She would get quite aggressive with me, I’m afraid. It’s so difficult, she uses it to regulate herself. If I ask her to come off her phone, she will see it as though I’m punishing her. Thank you for the advice though 😊

yes I understand re. the regulation I work with a lot of autistic girls - I just think all of us (and I include myself) need to remember these apps are designed by people in silicone valley to be incredibly addictive - so regardless of children's discomfort with it we need to be a bit hard about it sometimes (not giving advice really I know how unhelpful un-asked for advice is!)

Feb half term is always a bit of a shitter. Cold, damp, and January is just the longest month.... It's the only one I let things slide and don't really have high expectations for. Roll on Easter!!

11 nearly 12 year old DD is mostly sleeping until 11am, then it's Roblox, eating, chatting to friends. But we also go up to the stables most days to ride/ muck out so she's getting fresh air and exercise. Also a few sleepovers and a day out tomorrow

Dd is 11, so far she has been to art group, had a sleepover with a friend and spent time with her horse. Today she's had her tutor and is going shopping with her Gran. Tomorrow she and her Gran are doing her art homework project together and then going to a photographic exhibition. Then we are having a weekend away as a family.

Mine is asd, pda, has no friends and spends all time with me, still very young for age and watches peppa pig. I'm dreading what secondary will bring with tiktok etc. I am hoping to keep her off it as long as possible

My 11 year old ds is gaming with friends. He did come with me into town and to see family the other day and is having a friend tomorrow night to stay. But other than that not much. It’s cold and wet and to be fair I want to be inside too! He loves flip out- have you looked into that? Membership is something like £9.50 each and it’s unlimited visits so ideal for tweens.

I wish I’d kept mine off it - honestly, it’s all she does now and it’s opened the doors to so much more worry.