How do you get your children to calm down?

[immyc]

Hi all,

I was wondering what you do to get your children to do when you want them to calm down or focus? I've been told activities like baking, crafts and sports are all good ones. Anyone else got any tips to share?

Counterintuitively I find rushing around and playing a very silly and physically active game with lots of cuddles and giggling helps to get us connected and work the fidgets out of the system. When everyone is tired and has had enough they're generally in a good place for some nice calm activity like reading together or baking or drawing.

It does depend on your dc. What Una describes really wouldn't suit my dc and they'd be excited and wound up and not wanting to focus after that.
Reading together, baking etc. Quieter ones for my family.

Reading a joke book together then making up your own jokes with them. Or having a hot bubble bath. Yesterday they were destroying the lounge and swinging the cat by its tail, I did both of the above and it saved the day ( my day != )