Congratulations! You’ve successfully navigated another half-term – a whirlwind of activities, snacks, and adventures with your little ones. As you catch your breath, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect on the survival strategies that helped us through. Whether you’ve been balancing work, playdates, or simply trying to keep up with the boundless energy of your children, you deserve a moment to pat yourselves on the back.
We wanted to share some tried-and-tested hacks that have proven invaluable to fellow parents during this chaotic time. From clever organisation tricks to sanity-saving activities, these hacks will hopefully remain useful not only for weekends but also for the upcoming holiday breaks and beyond.
1. busy bag activities
Create “busy bags” filled with simple, engaging activities to keep your toddler entertained during outings or quiet times at home. Fill small ziplock bags with items like crayons, colouring books, stickers, puzzles, or small toys. These ready-to-go bags can be a lifesaver when you need to keep your toddler occupied while running errands or waiting in line. We had a fun time exploring Hobbycraft, your one-stop destination for all crafting needs.
2. Snack Prep Station
Streamline snack time by creating a snack prep station that your little one can access independently. Set up a designated area in the kitchen with a variety of healthy snacks that are pre-portioned and easy for them to grab on their own. Include options like cut-up fruits and vegetables, cheese sticks, yogurt cups, and whole grain crackers. Use small containers to organise the snacks and make them easily accessible. This empowers your child to make healthy choices and reduces the need for constant assistance during snack time. Plus, it encourages independence and fosters a sense of responsibility. (Don’t worry – we get this isn’t for everyone..)
3. Child-Friendly Chores:
Encourage your little one to participate in age-appropriate chores around the house to cultivate a sense of responsibility and independence. Tasks like tidying toys, assisting with laundry, sorting items, or watering plants can be transformed into enjoyable games or activities. Being the car wash assistant is always a fun option! Not only does this teach valuable life skills, but it also nurtures a sense of pride and accomplishment in your child
4. Mess-Free Painting:
Keep mess to a minimum during painting activities by using a large resealable plastic bag. Place a sheet of paper inside the bag along with some blobs of paint, then seal the bag tightly. Your little one can then squish and spread the paint around without getting their hands dirty or creating a mess. It’s a fun and mess-free way to unleash their creativity!
5. Reward Chart with Choices:
Create a reward chart that offers your child a choice of rewards for completing tasks or demonstrating positive behaviour. Include a variety of activities or behaviours that you want to encourage, such as completing homework, tidying up toys, or helping with chores. Let your child choose their reward from a selection of options, such as extra playtime, choosing a movie for family movie night, or a special outing. This empowers them to take ownership of their actions and motivates them to work towards their goals.
6. Reading Nook Rotation:
Set up a reading nook with a rotating selection of books to keep your little one excited about reading. Create a cosy corner with a comfortable chair or bean bag, a soft blanket, and a selection of age-appropriate books. Every week or so, swap out some of the books for new ones from the library or your home collection. This keeps the reading experience fresh and encourages your child to explore different genres and topics. You can also include themed books based on holidays, seasons, or their current interests to spark their imagination.
7. Obstacle Course Fun:
Create an indoor or outdoor obstacle course using household items and encourage your 5-year-old to navigate through it. Use cushions to hop over, pillows to crawl under, chairs to zigzag around, and masking tape to create balance beams or lines to follow. Incorporate fun challenges like jumping jacks, hopping on one foot, or balancing objects on their heads. You can time them to see how quickly they can complete the course or make it a collaborative effort by doing it together as a family. Not only does this hack promote physical activity and gross motor skills, but it also fosters creativity and problem-solving as they navigate through the obstacles.
These are just a few ideas that proved helpful for us during the break. We’re eager to hear from you about what strategies worked for you.
Warm Wishes,
our little wardrobe x
