Mumsnet users share ways to keep their children of different ages entertained during half term with PizzaExpress

[EllieMumsnet]

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It’s half term and both you and your DC deserve some family time before the last leg of the summer term begins. If you have children of different ages, you know it can be difficult to find activities that entertain both. PizzaExpress would love find out the ways you bridge the age gap with activities that keep the children entertained, letting them express themselves.

Here’s what PizzaExpress has to say: “We love welcoming families into our restaurants and understand how precious time together is. Our goal is to make the time at PizzaExpress as enjoyable as possible, which includes not only delicious pizza but also fun & creative activities for Piccolos of all ages and the whole family to get involved in. What is it that makes it tick and ensures well-behaved children all round?”

Do you get them in the kitchen helping you create new dishes for the family? Perhaps you take family trips out that cater for all ages or go for a meal out in a family-friendly restaurant? Or maybe you have different variations of the same activity such as a colouring book for your younger DC and free-style painting for your older DC?

Whatever your ways to keep your DC of different ages entertained during the half term, post on the thread below and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs Apply

Lego. Anywhere with National Trust activities. Homework (not popular). And crazy golf, which is our current obsession.

We had 4 kids to look after in half term aged 8-12. The weather wasn’t great we went to a a local museum which is very child friendly, had an ice cream and a bit of a run around in the gardens. We did sewing at home and finished the older ones textiles homework, We went to a big indoor market one day and they bought sushi for lunch. Plenty of inexpensive things for kids to do, easier when it’s good weather as they can just run about in the park.or get out on their bikes. I like to get them out and about whatever the weather as they’d be stuck indoors on their screens if we don’t get them out.

National Trust days out are great, there's always something to keep them all interested and we choose places where the dog can have a day out too.

When we took our three to Disneyland Paris it was awkward as we had 2 teenagers and a 7 year old. To be honest, whilst the youngest did some of the meet and greets with DH, I went on some of the big rides with the older two. It meant that everyone was happy because the older ones didn’t want to meet characters and the youngest did. It meant that we had more time together to do the family stuff without anyone feeling too resentful that they had missed out.

They love helping me back and then going on a picnic

I have an 8 year gap between my DC so it is hard to keep them both entertained but bowling, swimming and the beach are all activities they both enjoy. They will both also come out on a dog walk and bring a kite or a ball to play with.

We put on a summer play! this keeps them going for most of summer, there is a stage to design and build, costumes to design and make, a story to write, music to make, lines to learn, filming to do and finally tickets and popcorn to make for the grand finale in the back garden!

days out are ideal.

Cinema trips bridge the age gap best for us - 5yr old, 10 yr old (and DH in his 40’s!) all love a blockbuster. For the kids, Lego, swimming and cycling are popular with both and for a big treat we might do an activity like roller/ice skating, trampoline park, climbing wall, go ape etc. They both like drawing and reading too so it’s not hard to occupy them really. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this continues once the eldest hits the teenage years...

Swimming, walks in the countryside with the dog, making cakes, a cinema trip, bowling, parks and one day we played a fun game of gardening and cleaning the house!

Long walks with the dogs where they can take their bikes keeps them happy.a meal out like a carvery or a pizza. A theme park day is usually a hit too with all ages. They also like to put up a tent in the garden and camp out which is fun.

Living near countryside we used to take our children on long walks in the countryside which they loved and then picnic afterwards

The older one loves playing with the younger, so she is happy to do things that are suitable for our younger boy. In return I will ensure that I have help with looking after the small one to get active and do enjoyable things to engage the older one.

Outings to parks and nearby forest nature trails. Beachcombing, fishing in rock pools with nets. When indoors, watching a movie and making your own pizzas.

Local areas, beaches or just a film at home with some fun food that we have all made together, have fun.

Plan loads of day trips, and get out and about even if it is just taking them to the park with a picnic. If the weather is poor let them pick their favourite films and had a duvet day on the sofa with popcorn and pop

We enjoy going on a 'playpark tour' where we visit all the local playparks for a whole day. We take a picnic, scooters and will often stop at a local cafe for coffee and ice cream in the afternoon.

Jigsaws are popular

We try to get out as much as possible with friends, walks, parks, swimming and a treat of a theme park. Check local sites as there are quite often things to do such as craft days, treasure hunts etc

I try to make sure we have something planned everyday, whether it is just a picnic in the park, a visit to the local pool or a day trip out somewhere.

Dinosaurs , Dinosaurs and Dinosaurs .Anything remotely connected will do nicely.

i have a family National Trust membership. During school holidays the National trust normally put on event at their parks. The kids always enjoy going and it keeps them entertained and they're getting fresh air and plenty of exercise walking. x

Choosing the right location for a day out that has something for each of them or, if that's failing, ensure there's a football with you to keep the bigger ones occupied.

We been lucky enough to have futureversity in ours rea. The kids pick courses they would like to do and go with friends. Sometimes they pick to do the same things but often they go off on different courses. As parents we share the pick ups and drop offs. Most of the courses have age limits meaning each is appropriate to the age of the child. The weekends are family time and we visit grandparents and aunties.

Our local park has had children’s play area refurbished and council consulted local mothers so there is a brilliant range of aparatus for all ages. So fine days we are off there