After school activities at 4 and 6.

[OnceICaughtACold]

What do your 4 and 6 year olds do after school? We’ve got in to a TV rut, especially hard to break out of when the weather is rubbish! They just seem too tired and grumpy to cope with independent play, early dinner helps a bit with this but not enough.

I have a 5 year old in reception. I won't pretend that I get it right every night, but these are the things that I've found have helped.

Jigsaws. You need to get the level right. Hard enough that she doesn't finish it too quickly, but not so hard that she needs me to do the whole thing with her.

Some creative activities have been quite sucessful. The type of crafting kits that you get from places like the Works can be nice. (Bracelet making, beading, mosaic making, etc.)

https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/arts-crafts-and-music/science/science-sets/dig-it-up-pirates-treasure-set/p/223521?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=surfaces_across_google&srsltid=AfmBOoqhwxtqQKQ3p88UMUEhNgdep7l0inrvAiklEIqvpJOR56jBAMW1_Ew This has provided a good week or so of fun. You will need a baby bath or something to put it in, as the mess is horrendous. But it's utterly absorbing and the house has never been so quiet.

The downside to all of this is the cost. I'm sure you could sort out your own craft activities, but that of course takes time. We got a load of stuff like that for her birthday, which was really handy. I'll be asking for more stuff like this at Christmas as it's just been so useful.

To be honest though, the key to their success is that we have space in the kitchen for her to be able to sit and do them near me while I cook. It means I can come and show an interest every 5 minutes, which keeps her happy and settled.

Good luck!

Oh and dice games like Yahtzee. She loves them and I can play while I can cook, which is good

I have two boys the same age. They used to watch TV but i vetoed it after too much fighting. Also, they really needed to play and move!
They play lego, or games, still lots of fighting! A lot of eating... it means they need my engagement more (and i am usually cooking during this time) but i think the trade off is better. Id rather they fight over toys and do some playing every day than watch tv everyday after school.

Rainbows and then brownies. Swimming lessons.
We do gymnastics at the weekend but some classes are after school.
The night we have free, we watch tv, crafts and go in the garden. Walk to the park if it’s nice. Play dates.

Classes etc are good but spending that amount of money on classes and lessons isn't viable for everybody...

Thanks!

I should have specified that I meant activities for home - we have Beavers and one sports club, but that’s enough, my 6 year old in particular gets tired out if we try to do any more.

Crafts do go down well and help to limit the fighting! I think I need to either get more organised and plan stuff or just throw money at it and buy kits so I can get one out each afternoon.

What do they do if you don't plan anything for them? I stopped planning after school activities and don't put the TV on - they now just potter about for 5 minutes then start playing, sometimes together, sometimes on their own. my almost 7 year old will often go read or play in her room (she likes alone time after school). This doesnt work at weekends but they are generally tired after school so less wild! Mine don't really mind the bad weather, as long as they are warm and have waterproofs on they are happy in the garden.

For context, mine are in reception, year 2 and a 3 year old.

Audiobooks are your friend here. Mine just get on with their own things now when we get home (5, 8, 10) but I remember in the past when they needed a bit more structure, I would put on an audiobook in the kitchen and just get out colouring, blank paper and pens and they’d do that while I cooked. They wouldn’t stay at it for long without the story on in the background but with that they would happily sit for ages and ages.

Ds7
Yoto
lego
books

dd5
dot to dot
drawing
playing with cuddly toys

I have no tv in the week rule as ds behaviour goes downhill massively with it. Blanket no makes my life easier and frees him from the compulsion to persuade me. I do try and let them play with their school friend in the park before we go home if weather allows.

Could you do boxes you rotate- things like Lego/trains/ painting etc?
I'm having mini lockdown flashbacks here but we had things like play doh and paint by numbers and we made the whole thing eg planning to doing and clearing up a whole event.