WFH and half term, ideas to keep kids amused?

[Whynotdance]

So it's half term and myself and DH are WFH. We are not taking holiday now as I don't know how the year will play out in terms of holidays and want to take more time off over summer (as I think kids will REALLY need the time off then). So how can I help them from bickering all day? I was planning on loose timetable and they can pick one activity from screen time/arts and crafts/movie/ outdoors/exercise/reading etc. Is anyone in the same boat with some ideas? They are 8 and 10. If they have no sort of timetable, they are getting on each others nerves by 9.20am.

What are they doing on school days?

I am WFH ft and DH key worker. It's going to be the same as the last 2 months tbh!

How old are your children?

Oh sorry 8 and 10 similar to ours.

What have they been doing up till now?

We are in the same boat - kept a sort of routine this week of joe wicks then some online learning - bite size that they've not already done , white rose academy etc - till 11, then a break then walk lunch and screens and they can do what they like in the afternoon but not on a screen till after 3 ...I'm finding it a hard age to think of non screen activities - they can't even be arsed being in the garden at the moment ! May order a load of Lego on payday as they've suddenly got into this.

Mine will be doing school work from 9.30 to 2.30. He's got some set work to hand in early next week, and then has myGCSEscience, Memrise, Rosetta Stone etc to use. Its too long a day to fill otherwise, and dh and I both are working FT

@ShinyFootball we have a timetable (of sorts) but with school activities. I'm thinking of trying some activities which are not school-based to give them a break for this week. Some good ideas in there, thank you!

Yes, we were half an hour of screen time in Sunday pre-lockdown and they are having a LOT of screen time at the moment but I'm relaxed about it (most of the time!).

Yep I’m just carrying on with home schooling. I’ll probably get less caught up with English and concentrate more on science stuff which is his favourite.

practicing their musical instruments.

asked them to do a stop motion video each.

dh and I took them for a run each day - me at lunch time, dh after work.

one night dc cooked - they chose the meal, asked us to get the ingredients and then spent almost the entire afternoon making the most almighty mess in the kitchen. food was edible.

Dc are 10 and 12 here so a bit older.
We allow screen time until about 10 am on weekends and holidays but not until they are dressed. DS2 in particular will often start playing with something in his room rather than get dressed which is fine. Then its amuse yourself until lunch, but no fighting. Some pottering in the garden, some playing in own rooms or in corridor between, some reading or listening to audio books. Maybe walk after lunch then more time to play together or alone until TV from about 4.

I’m trying to think of ideas too, whynotdance- to keep them quiet and occupied and not just on screens all day. Ideas I had were to spend one day with them sorting some old holiday photos from last year and making an album. Then another day we have several half used slime kits around that they could ‘finish’ which might fill an hour or two. I also have a boules set in the shed they’ve forgotten about so that might help. Couple of movie afternoons. Online art workshop? Really struggling - they deserve a week off ‘school’ but we have used up lots of good ideas the past weeks. Good luck - and please share any of your ideas!

Thanks so much, these are great ideas! They would be delighted at making dinner and stop motion video @bluefoxmug.

I also like the boules and go for a run too!

I was thinking painting stones and geocaching (heard of from friends). They both love doodle maths and Duolingo so we will probably keep this going during the week.

*Outdoor neighbourhood scavenger hunt if they can walk safely at all for exercise. Includes things like a blue door, a dog.
*Write a list of too 5 things to do after lockdown.
*Indoor Scavenger hunt. Plenty to print off just Google or get off Pinterest
*Write a Day in my Quarantine Life..any format..carton strip. Poem..story. factual.
*Write a letter to post to someone every day then on a walk actually post it. Include your address so get a reply. Nice surprise for a relation or friend?

My 9 year olds are going to make a quarantine time capsule and the rest I really don't know! Dh is a teacher so he's off and can at least take them out while I work.

*make.an indoor/outdoor obstacle time and.compete for fastest times
*junk modelling using recycling you have only and string/tape..tallest tower? Vehicles? A useable toy? A garden item such as a wind chime?

I'm saving all these. This is bloody brilliant - week sorted. Again, thanks do much! 😊

Mine spend ages building dens in the garden! I gave them clothes airers, 2 old picnic blankets & a few beach towels - hours of fun!

Mocktails
Indoor den building
Junk modelling
Upcycle an item - DD has been decorating jam jars with posca pens
Camp at home
Outdoor cooking
Design a game
Animation by drawing and filming using time lapse filming on a phone is cool

I find if I actually send ds2 (10) to his bedroom to find something to do he rediscovers things that he forgot he's got. He's built an electronics kit, rebuilt Lego that was half dismantled, got out mini skateboards and played with them...if he's not encouraged to do this he literally would be on screens all day.

@mamaduckbone that's a really good point. I swear there are Christmas presents which only got a cursory glance in December...

Yes, kids can amuse themselves if they are bored enough!

Mine has been doing the full timetable from school so apart from reading, I’m letting her do what she wants this week really. Means DP and I can properly work! This may backfire and she may get bored but as an only we have no bickering to contend with and she can FaceTime friends, play Roblox etc. Also, and prob most importantly, we are allowing her to play with the girl next door now, on secure, communal shared land. They are socially distancing (both 8) and no rules being broken as it’s one from each household meeting 😊