Kids activities while parent WFH during the summer

[agentrossi]

My 11 year old will be at home with me this summer while I’m working at home 2 days per week. I’m sure she will occasionally go out with friends etc but any ideas for things that she can do without any input from me? She’s pretty self sufficient but she likes to be doing things and I don’t really want her stuck to a screen all day.
I know it’s not ideal but she’s already in a holiday club for my other 2 working days every week and it’s out of my budget to pay for any more. Work is aware that she’s at home with me before anyone queries that.

Movie
baking
art/craft
lego (get out all the old toys, going through them will keep her occupied for a bit)
puzzles
colouring in (really recommend this book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cozy-Corner-Calm-Comforting-Colouring/dp/024176422X/ref=asc_df_024176422X?mcid=2a27f7417143325c831c0210895de51a&th=1&psc=1&hvocijid=4085359932848916620-024176422X-&hvexpln=74&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696285193871&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4085359932848916620&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045882&hvtargid=pla-2281435176938&psc=1&gad_source=1)
teach her some patience games

can you do swaps with a friend, so she has a pal over and they occupy each other and vice versa?

Thank you! Yes she will have a friend over some days and she’s going to her friends one day this week. Just kind of wanted a few ideas in my back pocket for when she starts telling me she’s bored!

Some kind of research project, and then create a presentation in whatever format works for her
Coding games/ practice
Duolingo
Read - maybe spend time creating a reading list and sourcing cheap books online

A bigger project of her own choosing (sewing, knitting, art, Lego, garden, etc.) supplemented by general faffing about, reading, smaller projects, etc.

you can help her structure it and provide the supplies, but it should be driven by her interests.

Thank you all some great ideas! Going to chat through with her tonight and see what we can put in place. Relatively peaceful day today as she’s at a friends!

My teens are out taking photos for a local competition.

Find a book series she really likes - do some research; take her to a book shop. Consider the lowbrow cool ones too.

Have a routine if possible like first it's reading, then x, then tv, then y.

Yes have a routine and more ideas than you think you'll need if she gets bored.

Could you get a couple of craft sets from eg. Hobbycraft to keep her occupied? I remember one summer getting a cardboard theatre thing that you had to paint and then put together and then do shows from it. They have a few things like that.

Also I would say have her snacks and lunch ready at set times, before she gets hungry, and you could also take a break at that time to spend the time with her.

If she likes reading, could you both go to a library for a couple of hours? You could work from there and she can look for some new books and read in a quiet place. Doesn't work if you have work calls though.

Another idea if you can is get up much earlier than her, if she's likely to sleep in a bit; you could work from eg. 7-9am, have a late breakfast with her and then work until 3 and then knock off. I do this with my teens sometimes. Appreciate not all jobs have this flexibility though.

Making a nice lunch for you all and washing up