It only feels like the kids went back to school after Christmas about two minutes ago and already we’re confronted with February half term. Worried about how you’re going to entertain the little cherubs for a week when the temperatures are still struggling to get above freezing and there’s still at least a 70% chance of precipitation most days? Summer’s easy – the weather’s on our side and we’ve got parks, picnics and promenades at our disposal but winter’s a different, and often more costly, kettle of fish all together. Fear not; I’ve been having a think!
Get Out While You Can!
I’m the first to admit, I’m not winter’s biggest fan. I find nothing appealing about the cold, wet and dark and spend six months of the year praying for longer days and warmer temperatures. Having said this, I do still love getting outdoors with my son whenever I can and I know that he and I feel infinitely better, calmer and happier when we’ve been able to get out in the fresh air.
Last month, I wrote about my passion for playgrounds. In my opinion, they’re one of the most under-valued resources us parent’s have at our disposal, especially when there’s a decent coffee outlet near-by.
I also love a good walk. My two-year-old, on the other hand, is less keen and often outright protests and sits on the floor demanding to be carried, decides he’d rather walk in the opposite direction or finds a nice big puddle or body of stagnant water to paddle in instead. Therefore, I’ve been thinking about ways to make walks more appealing. My first idea and arguably my simplest is to market walks as “adventures.” Who wants your common-all-garden walk when you can have an adventure instead? Not kids, that’s who. Adventures are great and can be fully diversified and differentiated to suit your needs. Fancy a nice stroll along your local beach? Turn it into a quest for treasure washed up on the shore after pirates became shipwrecked in the North Sea centuries before. Trotting through the countryside more your thing? It suddenly becomes so much more appealing if you turn it into a hunt for hidden clues left behind by spies who invaded Norfolk in 1942. Those clues could be anything, by the way. Some suspiciously crossed twigs, an abandoned shoe left behind by some equally compliant toddler or even animal footprints.
Since having a toddler, I’ve also developed a newfound appreciation for the power of a snack. Tired? Snack. Bored? Snack. Fed up of walking around Home Bargains for the third time this week? Snack. Yes, I’m probably unlikely to win any prizes for Parent of the Year but I’m a realist and it works. How does this apply to walks, you ask? Take the humble snack and add a walk and suddenly it becomes a picnic. Again, infinitely more appealing to kids. Picnics also don’t have to be the squidgy old sandwiches and bruised bananas of yesteryear. This time of year is better suited to hot food. Get yourself some thermos flasks and the world of outdoor dining is your oyster. Have hot chocolate on the go, soup in the open air or even hot dogs alfresco – just cook the sausages first and take along some rolls and ketchup! Thank me later.
Get Creative at Home!
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that kids love a bit of art and craft and that parents hate the mess that goes with it. I’ve been having a think around this age-old conundrum and have come up with the following low-mess, low-cost and low-stress suggestions:
Build a box fort
My garage is piled high with boxes left over from Christmas that have not yet managed to squeeze into the recycling bin and whilst looking at them on my visits to the tumble-dryer or out-door freezer, I’ve been thinking about how they could better earn their keep whilst living rent free amongst the lawn-mower, de-icer and Christmas decorations. It’s simple. Kids love a box, largely because they present a blank canvas of possibilities. How about building a box fort? Use boxes and a bit of imagination to build a castle, a replica of the pyramids of Egypt or even an elaborate mansion seen on the likes of Selling Sunset. For siblings it could prove to be an excellent exercise in teamwork or it could become a competition under strict time constraints for a small prize.
Make puppets and put on a puppet show
Another gloriously easy idea using objects from around the house such as odd socks, spare buttons, loose bits of string or wool and some felt-tip pens. Puppets can be as intricate or as simple as your imagination and supply of odds and ends allows. Give kids an hour to make their puppets and an hour to plan and rehearse their show before presenting it for critique by parents who can sit in comfort and reflect on the fact that for zero cost and little effort, they’ve just provided an afternoon’s entertainment. Use the boxes from the above idea to build a puppet theatre and you might just have a whole rainy day’s amusement.
Rock painting
You’ve seen the word “painting” and are already recoiling in horror as you think about the clean-up operation but hear me out. This simple and accessible activity became incredibly popular during the 2020 Covid Lockdown and it’s easy to see why. Rocks are everywhere and can be picked up and collected at little to no cost. Painting is also an activity that all of us can do, regardless of ability and the fact that these little treasures when hidden in plain sight can bring joy to others is an added bonus. Acrylic paint is best for ensuring designs last and acrylic paint pens are a brilliant low-mess option. Still can’t stomach the thought of acrylic paint in the house? Make it an outdoor activity and provide hot chocolate. Simple!
Share a skill
When it comes to learning new information, kids are like sponges, they’re born ready-made to soak up new information. It’s even easier for them when it’s something they’re interested in and having a passion or interest in something is the first step in becoming an inspiring teacher. Taking the time to share a skill or hobby with your children or grandchildren (my grandmother taught me to knit as a child and I found it fascinating!) is also an excellent bonding opportunity. It needn’t be complicated either, I’m not recommending you tutor your child in Latin, topiary or quidditch (unless of course that’s what you’re interested in) but if you love a bit of baking, gardening or crochet then it might be worth taking the time to share this skill with your brood – they might find a new hobby and the chances are, you’ll have enjoyed teaching them.
Scheule a Day-Out
Go Wild!
My family are fully paid-up season ticket holders for ZSEA Africa Alive and Banham Zoo. The season tickets are incredible value for money and goodness me, have we had our money’s worth out of it! Living a mere half an hour’s drive away from Africa Alive, I’d say we visit on average at least twice a month. It’s one of my favourite places to take my two year old, not just because he loves it but because I do as well.
Set in 100 acres of parkland, there’s plenty of space for kids to burn off that endless energy that they’re always so full of and to maintain a comfortable social distance from other visitors, should we still need to. The park is home to over 80 species of animals ranging from giraffes to lions and from meerkats to aardvarks so there really is something that should be of interest to everyone. The beauty of animals is that they’re always doing something different or interesting, hence why we never get bored of visiting.
The park’s been closed for January for renovations and it’ll be interesting to see the improvements when it opens again just before February half-term. In recent months they’ve already built a new walk-through meerkat enclosure and added new equipment to the already extensive adventure play-area. I’d say it’s definitely worth a visit!
If you’ve not visited before then there’s never been a better time. Just before Christmas, the zoo announced the birth of a baby white rhino.
Roarr Dinosaur Adventure Park
Another favourite of ours is Roarr Dinosaur Adventure Park at Lenwade. Like Africa Alive, the setting is extensive, offering plenty of space for kids to run around and burn off energy as well as allowing for that all important social distancing (isn’t that a phrase we all wish we could have left in 2021?). There are also a variety of activities and attractions suitable for all ages including an enormous adventure play area with a dedicated area for under-7s; the Secret Animal Garden featuring animals ranging from goats and donkeys to iguanas, bearded dragons and snakes; Dinomite Indoor Soft Play and Dippy’s Raceway featuring mini-motorised cars and a selection of pedal powered go-karts. Of course, all of this is in addition to the famous dinosaur trail starring life-sized dinosaur models exhibited with fascinating facts in a gorgeous woodland setting.
Immerse yourself in some history at Norwich Castle Museum
Until recently, I’d not visited Norwich Castle since I was a mere primary school child myself. I remember finding it enchanting then and I quickly remembered why during a recent visit.
Built as a Royal Palace by the Norman’s over 900 years ago, Norwich Castle Museum is one of the most famous landmarks of our area and if the thought of visiting a real-life castle isn’t fascinating enough then the exhibits within are sure to be a lure. A favourite of mine is the Egyptian Gallery containing artefacts that date from around 4500 to 2500 years old, arguably the most captivating being the mummy of Ankh Hor, an important priest who worked in the temple of Amun in Karnack around 3000 years ago.