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Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school

860 replies

AbbiCMumsnet · 01/10/2019 09:36

This activity has now closed.

It’s September, and for most families that can mean only one thing – back to school. And with that comes the daily duty of whisking everyone out the door on time, helping them out with homework, and guiding your kids through playground politics. To say term time is jam-packed is an understatement – that’s why we’re so keen to hear how your wind down with your kids after the day’s hurly burly.

Here’s what IKEA have to say:
“We all know that every child is different. The same applies here: where one might like to sit and colour, another might want to play football in the garden. The secret is to make things easy for them, keeping all their favourite things organised and easy to find. That way they can happily while away the hours with minimal fuss.
Speaking of reading, a great way to nurture it is to give your child a dedicated space just for them and their books. Keep theirs on the lowest shelf, give them a comfy chair to settle into and they’ll be away.
Arts and crafts are a great way to relax too, and brilliant way to nurture your child’s creative side. Encourage their inner Picasso by keeping all of their supplies in easy to find containers right by their desk. Don’t forget to keep your carpet from turning into a masterpiece though – a plastic floor protector is a lifesaver here.”

So, what are your tips for winding down after school? Do you have certain activities you can bank on to keep things calm? Maybe there’s a toy or game you’ve got, ready to play with when they get home? Or maybe it’s a spot of drawing that does the trick?

Whatever you do, we’d love to know. Share your tips for how you relax and wind down with your children after school on the thread below and be in with a chance of winning a £300 IKEA voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ
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Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school
OP posts:
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11
HairyDogsOfThigh · 23/10/2019 08:54
LivingTheThighLife · 23/10/2019 09:14

That’s not a goat it’s a fox terrier

IMMOLATDOGGOAT straw animal

Find out how Mumsnet users wind down with their kids after school
LivingTheThighLife · 23/10/2019 09:15

(Fox terrier with carry handles)

BernardBlacksWineIceLolly · 23/10/2019 13:10

Je n’avais pas de creme brule

Voudriez vous un LAKEROL peut etre?

UpOnDown · 24/10/2019 17:41

sitting down with a drink and snack works for us

alem17 · 24/10/2019 22:09

We go for a walk

JohnCRaven · 25/10/2019 08:54

Funnily enough mine is arts and crafts! We even have a rainy day arts and crafts book. I have a set of IKEA Kallax shelves with baskets full of craft materials. My eldest is gifted at art so loves watercolours, quality felt tips and pencils. My youngest is a free spirit who likes black paint and making a mess!

nakedscientistOfThigh · 26/10/2019 10:44

My kids eat in our VARDE kitchen ( I wish you'd not discontinued that range) and then flop on the EKTORP.

Beat that John

SandAndSeals · 26/10/2019 12:17

DS is still little, so it's the wind down after nursery at the moment. I like to spend the bus journey chatting about his day, and then when we get home we opt for some 'chill out' activities such as reading, jigsaw puzzles or colouring. Then it's dinner, bath and bed.

Maiyakat · 30/10/2019 21:26

DD loves playing a game or doing some baking. She also enjoys a trip to the park on the way home

Anyoneever · 05/11/2019 06:38

We like to bake or do jigsaws together or have a board game marathon.

JustineBMumsnet · 08/11/2019 10:57

Thanks all for your posts! The winner of the prize draw is @potofdreams4!

And as a thanks for the laughs, IKEA have said they would like to give away three Blahaj sharks to users on this thread - we think it's only right that @KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh gets one (if they would like to claim it) - but the remaining two will go to the first two Mumsnet users who post again on this thread to say that they would like one (provided they're also happy to share their address with MNHQ & IKEA by sending it across to [email protected]).

TractorTartofThigh · 08/11/2019 11:03

Oh my God!!! Me me!!

YoTheGinPussyOfStMawesOnThigh · 08/11/2019 11:23

Oh please can I ave one too xxx will love you forever MNHQ.

YoTheGinPussyOfStMawesOnThigh · 08/11/2019 11:24

A shark that is MNHQ love you forever xxx

JustineBMumsnet · 08/11/2019 11:27

@TractorTartofThigh and @YoTheGinPussyOfStMawesOnThigh - if you email [email protected] with your address we'll organise for your sharks to be sent Grin

If anyone else would like a shark please do also post - we'll be in touch in 7 days if @KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh hasn't claimed their shark by then.

YoTheGinPussyOfStMawesOnThigh · 08/11/2019 11:36

Congratulations to potofdreams4 too, well done.

DanglyTasselsOfThigh · 08/11/2019 11:46

SHAAAAAAARRRRRRK!!!

@KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh HURRY UPP!!!!!!

Congrats to all!! Glitterball

potofdreams4 · 08/11/2019 12:14

Thank you so much @JustineBMumsnet

I'm so so chuffed!

ThighThighOfthigh · 08/11/2019 12:16

@KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh

For the love of Thigh get your Shark!

@MNHQ my ds1 crashed my beloved Kia Rio. Is there an I-Kia for meeeeeee please? I'm desperate for love, and a car.

DanglyTasselsOfThigh · 08/11/2019 12:42

Please MNHQ , Thigh has been very good lately and she really needs to win a new Kia.

ThighThighOfthigh · 08/11/2019 12:55

I have been good and it's really hard for me due to my bad personality.

KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh · 08/11/2019 13:27

OMG!!! I'm dying of joy! I have a horrible cold and this is making EVERYTHING better!

KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh · 08/11/2019 13:32

@JustineBMumsnet I am KitMarlowesCodpieceOfThigh and I claim my Blahaj shark. Do I need to send my address, too?

JustineBMumsnet · 08/11/2019 14:43

@TractorTartofThigh do you still want your shark? We want to get details over to IKEA as soon as possible so they can send the sharks out and we're waiting on your address Grin