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

[EllieMumsnet]

This activity is now closed

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

With a very alert 7 month old, we head out to the country park and set up mum meet ups so he can socialise.

We do something together first, even if it’s just walking somewhere to do different activities.
If we can’t all agreed on something together we will do something at the end of the day instead like watching a film or tv programme.
We all usually seem to agree on food related activities so that’s something we can all do.

My dd is just getting to the age where she goes to friends houses to play sometimes so ds gets time to do something just for him. We love picnics as well. Bike rides but ds not quite old enough for his own bike yet and I get fed up pushing him on his trike thing because it is second hand and doesn't steer very well!!

My DC are 5 and 2.5. I tend try and figure out activities that they can do simultaneously but separately, like painting, colouring, LEGO etc. They are just getting to the point where they do play together for longer periods, so things like make believe games like using the toy kitchen or playing with the medical bag toy are nice for them to play together. Baking still tends to be a bit chaotic with the 2 together, but we do homemade pizzas, where they can add their own toppings. This holiday should be easier if the weather's better, as we can spend hours at the park or in the garden where they play together for much longer. The winter/Easter holidays were horrible with the crappy weather.

We try and catch up with friends who's children are also at school/preschool whom we don't often get to see. We also try and find some time/days to just relax as a family unit.

Family Game afternoon/night is always a hit. Monopoly, Scrabble, Trivial Pursuits (ok, the Disney or Happy Potter versions), cards etc.
We play in teams so that all ages can join in. We do get a bit competitive though.

Take them down to the beach

We go out as much as possible - down on our local beach or into the countryside - the outdoors appeals to all ages and all you need is a few bats and balls and a packed lunch!

Just getting out and giving your attention to them.

We make up a picnic together, preparing treats the day before. I use a large backpack and carry 'things to do' including books for all ages. We make a set of clues appropriate for the different ages which if followed get us to the desired destination. Although we have a car we often go on the buses for a change.

Go to the park taking various toys and activities with you. Take a picnic. Enjoy the sun while it lasts. And it’s cheap

Going out is easier, activities like swimming or the park can easily negotiate an age gap

We love the great outdoors and usually things can be balanced for any age-gap ! We go down to the beach and some play in the sand - others go shell hunting and others surf...

I find they all love day trips to the zoo/beach/aquarium and I’ve got an 8 year gap between my eldest and youngest 2

I have 2 girls, 13 and 11, a shopping trip is always a favourite, or the cinema

We like to go to local events

Lots of craft art and sticker sessions when the weather is bad, plenty of walks and picnics when the weather is good

We've always done quite well as my kids are only a few years apart. We do schedule sleepovers etc for different days so that I'm not overwhelmed. Movie days and creative arts are always good too.

Swimming, museum, park, cinema, beach, trampolining. There are loads of things you can do with split ages.

There is only 2 years between them and they are both boys so they like the same things, football and minecraft!

Oh, and we always have breakfast in McDonald's the day before they go back, at school day breakfast time.

Getting the trampoline out never fails, I invested in a 13 foot one with a zipped enclosure, so despite the 3 year age gap, they enjoy jumping, or taking turns on one sitting and the other jumping with the other 'bum jumping' throw in a couple of balls and a whole new game begins.

lots of walks and films

Keep sending the toddler to nursery!

The park, the beach, swimming, walking trails are good for different ages.

At the moment I have a 4 year old and a 3 month old and the baby just tags along to whatever the 4 year old wants to do. Only thing we don’t do is the cinema anymore.