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

[AbbiCMumsnet]

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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
Standard Insight T&Cs apply

[whataconundrum]

Usually snacks and a chat on the sofa, followed by a glass of milk!

[theAntsareMyFriends]

On Friday when every one is tired we do baking. They have to be calm while doing it or they have to leave the kitchen so that helps avoid the overtired racing around that they would otherwise be doing. They then either decorate and/or eat what they've made which means they get a home cooked snack and a chance to sit down and eat. It's become a bit of a routine that we all enjoy.

[Fleabagging]

My children are older now, but when they were younger we would have a drink, snack and watch something fun on the telly after school. Now they are both away at university we FaceTime whilst I potter around the kitchen cooking dinner.

[Candymay]

We have a reading corner and read together for an hour. If it is a scary book we have blankets for snuggling and we use a torch- Ikea wind up one actually- to read the books and make it more exciting.

[Doubtfuldaphne]

We have a good chat about her day and either meet up with other parents for an hour for a milkshake or go home to read or she likes to play with her toys until dinner’s ready. When the weather was nicer we would sometimes go for a walk as we live next to a large common. Dd likes to spot the wildlife out there.

[EsmeeMerlin]

We talk on the way home and then usually my son likes to have 30 mins-60 mins just chilling out in front of the tv before we either have a club to get to, or he has his homework, reading, spellings etc to do.

He also likes to play a board game and for me to read to him before bed.

[jacqui5366]

We walk through the park on the way home if the weather is nice and I let them 'run of steam' for half an hour or so. If the weather is poor we get the crayons and paper out and draw about 'our day' and add the picture to our memory box.

[bluebeck]

If weather is dry, then a walk along the beach which is a five minute walk from home. They can run around or just pick up shells they like. The sea is very calming and there is always something to look at.

If it's too rough for the beach then Sofa cuddles with blankie and cat.

[SnuffleBadger]

If the weather is good then we will either go home via the park, get our bikes out or take the dog for a walk. If the weather is bad then they work their way round the house getting as many toys out as possible and arguing about which toy belongs to who.....hate rainy days!!

Whatever the weather there is always snacks involved as they are ravenous the minute they exit the school gates.

[torthecatlady]

A quick chat about the day, then he draws while I get food ready. We also read a book before bed.

[Naomimi]

Park on the way home to run it off, then home to play with the little siblings, do some Lego/Duplo or crafty stuff, and usually watch a bit of TV before dinner. Love getting her back at the end of the day!

[annarack99]

A snack ready on the table for as soon as we get home deals with the after school hunger and gives us a focus. It also gives the opportunity for us to all sit calmly for a few minutes before we either dash out to an activity or start playing at home. Having toys or craft out if staying home to encourage engagement works well, and everything exciting hidden out of the way if we need to get back out of the house fast!

[Whyisitsodifficult]

Not a lot of calm time here! It’s normally a quick snack then out to some after school club for one of them! We do walk home from school though so chat on the way!

[CazE82]

If the weather is dry we go for a play in the park, then home for a snack if its wet we go home and have a snack and play on the computer

[GetKnitted]

My DS2 (8) has almost since he started school given me the complete chronological recount of his day. It definitely helps him unwind

[MrTumblesSpottyHag]

Walking through a field so they can let out the sillies straight from school. They've been cooped up and made to conform all day so o like to let them go wild for 5 mins before even attempting sensible conversation!

[blackleggingsandatshirt]

we walk home rather than take the car, which takes around 20 minutes, then we will do some baking, or melting chocolate to make cornflake buns, (which also acts as an incentive to eat their tea- as they have one for pudding) - the TV is also a good way to entertain whilst I make dinner.

[NoSquirrels]

Like everyone else, a snack is a must. If I am organised and get them to sit down at the table to eat one, then we can usually go into whatever homework and forms need doing and I can negotiate piano practice before they go off to do what they like.

Similarly it really helps if they get in the routine of unpacking their bag, putting stuff like shoes in a consistent place (and not just dumping things in a heap) from the moment we walk in the door. If it isn't done straight away you have no chance calling them back to sort it! So kid-friendly storage by the door helps.

There are not many days when we are at home after school, with 2 DC in various clubs, so when they do have an afternoon off they tend to free-range entertain themselves - that's a book or the Switch for the eldest and Barbies and imaginative play for the youngest. If they watch TV together they usually have a drawing project on the go at the same time, so pens and paper storage handy is useful!

[m0jit0]

By the time we get home it's a quick play, something to eat/drink then bath, story, bed time

[jbiscuits]

Snacks and generally whatever they were playing with before school. If possible I try to leave out their toys during the day so they can immediately play and unwind when we get in. Then we tackle any reading or homework after about half an hour.

[LadyAndiBella]

We watch Disney movies

[1wokeuplikethis]

My eldest is 6 and while she loves school, after a day spent listening to instructions, learning new things and dealing with the many fallouts with her pals, she often just needs to flop down after school, watch her favourite programme, have a snack and just zone out.

But then most days she will be straight to her crafty station (which is an absolute mess!! - tidying isn’t a fun way to wind down after school apparently!) and let her imagination run wild. Last week she made spoon people, paper dolls, toilet roll fairies and sock puppets. She always seems much brighter and more relaxed after a busy day (and generally happier to eat dinner without too much fuss).

[munchbunch12]

We unwind by chatting about the day with a drink and a snack, then the oldest starts their homework and the youngest does colouring or reads with me.

[ursuslemonade]

If the weather is good we go for a quick walk/go in the garden, otherwise they'll read/draw/play with blocks etc. If not in the mood/very tired then just watch a bit of kid's tv.

[Jenniferturkington]

In the hour or so after getting in from school our youngest dd likes to go out and walk the dog, older dd lies on her bed listening to music, and ds likes to play computer games.