Summer Holiday Projects to Keep the Kids Busy – January 2012
During the summer it’s nice to have projects for your children. Projects ensure that they’re occupied for longer periods of time. They also give your child a sense of accomplishment when the project is complete. And if you’re a stay at home parent they can give you a bit of downtime to focus on something other than keeping your children busy.
5 Summer Holiday Projects That Will Keep Your 5-10 Year Old Busy For Weeks
Keeping younger children, between 5 and 10 years old, busy is easy. They love to create things and they love a challenge. They do however require a little supervision so choose activities they can do with just a little input from you. Perhaps they can work on their project next to you while you catch up on your reading or relax with a movie and a cuppa.
1. Play Dough or Clay
There are many kits that you can buy at your local craft store. You can find anything from a beginner’s pottery wheel to modelling clay to buckets of cheap play dough. You can also challenge your children to make their own play dough. If your children enjoy crafting or working with their hands, clay projects can be messy but they can keep children engaged for days, if not weeks.
Make up a batch of salt dough and let the kids create animals or dolls, clowns, little cars etc. from the dough. You can then bake it in a very slow oven until it's dry or the kids can sit it on some newspaper and let it air dry for a couple of days. Once it is dry it can be painted with watercolours.
5 Summer Holiday Projects That Will Keep Your 5-10 Year Old Busy For Weeks
Keeping younger children, between 5 and 10 years old, busy is easy. They love to create things and they love a challenge. They do however require a little supervision so choose activities they can do with just a little input from you. Perhaps they can work on their project next to you while you catch up on your reading or relax with a movie and a cuppa.
1. Play Dough or Clay
There are many kits that you can buy at your local craft store. You can find anything from a beginner’s pottery wheel to modelling clay to buckets of cheap play dough. You can also challenge your children to make their own play dough. If your children enjoy crafting or working with their hands, clay projects can be messy but they can keep children engaged for days, if not weeks.
Make up a batch of salt dough and let the kids create animals or dolls, clowns, little cars etc. from the dough. You can then bake it in a very slow oven until it's dry or the kids can sit it on some newspaper and let it air dry for a couple of days. Once it is dry it can be painted with watercolours.
2. Give Them A Camera and Challenge Them
Do you have an extra camera lying around the house? If not, you can probably buy an inexpensive used one online. You can also find disposables at two dollar shops. Give your child or children a camera and challenge them. You can create a “scavenger hunt” list of things for them to take photos of. Or if your child enjoys being challenged or has a creative talent you might ask them to create a collage of photos based on a theme that they choose.
Give them three to five days to take all the pictures they can. Teach them how to download the photos to a computer and print out their selections. They can then mount them on poster board and frame them. It’s instant art and a good project. Chances are once your child creates their first masterpiece they’ll be hooked.
Do you have an extra camera lying around the house? If not, you can probably buy an inexpensive used one online. You can also find disposables at two dollar shops. Give your child or children a camera and challenge them. You can create a “scavenger hunt” list of things for them to take photos of. Or if your child enjoys being challenged or has a creative talent you might ask them to create a collage of photos based on a theme that they choose.
Give them three to five days to take all the pictures they can. Teach them how to download the photos to a computer and print out their selections. They can then mount them on poster board and frame them. It’s instant art and a good project. Chances are once your child creates their first masterpiece they’ll be hooked.
A Warm Fuzzy Feeling Idea
This isn't cheap, but oh so lovely. For our first extended family weekend away (including 7 adults and 4 grandchildren) I gave our 3 eldest (aged 7, 7, & 3 years) grandkids a disposable camera each to take photos of this special event. It was such a hit and the photos were great. I spent time with each of them, after I got the photos printed, scrapbooking them in albums for each of them to keep. These have very proudly been shown to everyone and anyone who will look at them. It is something that they and us will treasure.
Contributed by Irene
This isn't cheap, but oh so lovely. For our first extended family weekend away (including 7 adults and 4 grandchildren) I gave our 3 eldest (aged 7, 7, & 3 years) grandkids a disposable camera each to take photos of this special event. It was such a hit and the photos were great. I spent time with each of them, after I got the photos printed, scrapbooking them in albums for each of them to keep. These have very proudly been shown to everyone and anyone who will look at them. It is something that they and us will treasure.
Contributed by Irene
A camera is a great way to keep kids amused on road trips too. Have a photo competition. Challenge them to take photos of the places you stop, sights you see, funny things they find and so on. You can have a daily prize for the best photo, with a grand prize for the overall best photo at the end of the trip. Get them to journal for each photo and they'll have a lasting record of their trip.
We used to do this when we'd go camping and four wheel driving and it kept the kids enthusiastic and put a stop to those "are we there yet" and "I'm bored" complaints.
We used to do this when we'd go camping and four wheel driving and it kept the kids enthusiastic and put a stop to those "are we there yet" and "I'm bored" complaints.
3. Design Kits
There are some amazing design kits available online and at craft stores. You can find something for just about every child’s interest. You can find everything from fashion and interior design to architecture kits and even car design. Warning, you may not see your child for weeks once they get their hands on a design kit. You can also find online design programs.
There are some amazing design kits available online and at craft stores. You can find something for just about every child’s interest. You can find everything from fashion and interior design to architecture kits and even car design. Warning, you may not see your child for weeks once they get their hands on a design kit. You can also find online design programs.
4. Make Your Own Story Kit
If your child loves to write, act or tell stories they may enjoy a “Make Your Own Story” kit. Again, these are available online, at toy stores, and at some craft stores. Some kits even offer to publish your child’s story for them. (Note: this is vanity publishing. You won’t find your child’s story at your local bookstore. However, if your child is a talented writer, there’s no reason why they couldn’t write a book and self-publish it online.) Make Your Own Story kits include the ability to design a cover, write the story, and illustrate it.
5. Scrapbooking
Do you have an abundance of disorganised photos? Put your children to work with a scrapbooking project. Challenge them to create themed books to organise and store your family photos.
Children at this age are at a wonderful time. They’re still children and they have amazing imaginations. They’re also growing up and able to take on larger projects and more responsibility. Have fun this summer and enjoy what your amazing child is capable of accomplishing.
If your child loves to write, act or tell stories they may enjoy a “Make Your Own Story” kit. Again, these are available online, at toy stores, and at some craft stores. Some kits even offer to publish your child’s story for them. (Note: this is vanity publishing. You won’t find your child’s story at your local bookstore. However, if your child is a talented writer, there’s no reason why they couldn’t write a book and self-publish it online.) Make Your Own Story kits include the ability to design a cover, write the story, and illustrate it.
5. Scrapbooking
Do you have an abundance of disorganised photos? Put your children to work with a scrapbooking project. Challenge them to create themed books to organise and store your family photos.
Children at this age are at a wonderful time. They’re still children and they have amazing imaginations. They’re also growing up and able to take on larger projects and more responsibility. Have fun this summer and enjoy what your amazing child is capable of accomplishing.
5 Summer Holiday Projects That Will Keep Your 11-14 Year Old Busy For Weeks
Teens and pre-teens can be fun during the summer. They’re too young to get a job and too old to engage in imaginary play and the types of activities that used to keep them busy for hours. The good news is that they’re old enough to manage more complicated projects. Here are a few summer holiday project ideas to help you keep your kids busy this summer.
1. Science Projects
Do you have a budding scientist at home? What about a child that enjoys making messes? From volcanoes to photosynthesis or microbiology projects, you can find hundreds of ideas online. Some of the science project kits you can find online are quite elaborate. You may want to make sure that there is a parent at home when the children are doing the project, though. If your children are home alone during the day then science projects may be best worked on during the weekends.
Kids Science
Entertain young school children with domestic science. A few cheap every day pantry items can combine to make several experiments. My daughters love to see how bi-carb soda reacts with vinegar, all froth and bubble. Milk and vinegar in a closed jar and shaken will make curds. You can even bake some bread and show them how yeast rises. Economical, educational and quality time with the kids! Have fun.
Contributed by Deanne
Entertain young school children with domestic science. A few cheap every day pantry items can combine to make several experiments. My daughters love to see how bi-carb soda reacts with vinegar, all froth and bubble. Milk and vinegar in a closed jar and shaken will make curds. You can even bake some bread and show them how yeast rises. Economical, educational and quality time with the kids! Have fun.
Contributed by Deanne
Some of the best experiments use common household ingredients: bicarb soda, vinegar, salt, cornflour and food colouring are all vital for some of the best experiments.
Gloop is easy to make with cornflour and cold water.
2. Sewing Project
Many boys and girls enjoy sewing. Children can sew anything from their own clothing to kites, tents, doll clothes and backpacks. If your child enjoys sewing, consider setting them up with a pattern (you can find free patterns online) and a sewing machine. You can find used sewing machines online for less than $50 if you don't have one, or can't borrow one from Grandma or a favourite aunty.
I remember the first thing I ever made on the sewing machine was a placemat with a matching serviette. I still have them in my treasure chest.
If sewing is too much or not their (or your) thing, what about knitting? A simple dishcloth is not only useful but easy for a beginner to start with. The thicker yarn and needles help smaller fingers with the knitting process. And who knows, your child may love knitting and smother you in beautiful handknits for years to come.
3. Make a Movie
Does your child have a flair for the dramatic? Do they love movies? Do they enjoy acting or directing? Give your child a video camera and challenge them to make a movie. You may wish to see the script before they get started to make sure the pending film is appropriate and you won’t get in trouble with other parents!
4. Design a Website
With instant template websites and blogging technology your child can have a nice looking website up and running in a matter of days. Help them create a top quality website or blog by providing them with resources. For example, if they’re going to create a blog, then guide them to create one that is focused on a topic they love. Help them discover how to plan and create content for their site. And make sure that they’re using safe online practices like registering the domain for their website privately.
5. Gardening
Gardening is actually a project that can last all year round. Consider asking your child to plan, plant and tend to a garden that serves a purpose. For example, they could grow herbs and vegetables for the family. They could grow pumpkins to sell to the neighbours in autumn. They may like to grow flowers to sell as a little business.
Depending on the age of your children you can also encourage them with larger home projects. For example, they might paint their own bedrooms or clean out the garage and hold a garage sale. Earning a percentage of the profits is a good motivator too!
Keeping your children busy during the summer doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. The challenge is finding an activity or project that appeals to their interests. If you don’t know, ask your child what motivates them or what they’re interested in. You may be delightfully surprised by their answer.
Gloop is easy to make with cornflour and cold water.
2. Sewing Project
Many boys and girls enjoy sewing. Children can sew anything from their own clothing to kites, tents, doll clothes and backpacks. If your child enjoys sewing, consider setting them up with a pattern (you can find free patterns online) and a sewing machine. You can find used sewing machines online for less than $50 if you don't have one, or can't borrow one from Grandma or a favourite aunty.
I remember the first thing I ever made on the sewing machine was a placemat with a matching serviette. I still have them in my treasure chest.
If sewing is too much or not their (or your) thing, what about knitting? A simple dishcloth is not only useful but easy for a beginner to start with. The thicker yarn and needles help smaller fingers with the knitting process. And who knows, your child may love knitting and smother you in beautiful handknits for years to come.
3. Make a Movie
Does your child have a flair for the dramatic? Do they love movies? Do they enjoy acting or directing? Give your child a video camera and challenge them to make a movie. You may wish to see the script before they get started to make sure the pending film is appropriate and you won’t get in trouble with other parents!
4. Design a Website
With instant template websites and blogging technology your child can have a nice looking website up and running in a matter of days. Help them create a top quality website or blog by providing them with resources. For example, if they’re going to create a blog, then guide them to create one that is focused on a topic they love. Help them discover how to plan and create content for their site. And make sure that they’re using safe online practices like registering the domain for their website privately.
5. Gardening
Gardening is actually a project that can last all year round. Consider asking your child to plan, plant and tend to a garden that serves a purpose. For example, they could grow herbs and vegetables for the family. They could grow pumpkins to sell to the neighbours in autumn. They may like to grow flowers to sell as a little business.
Depending on the age of your children you can also encourage them with larger home projects. For example, they might paint their own bedrooms or clean out the garage and hold a garage sale. Earning a percentage of the profits is a good motivator too!
Keeping your children busy during the summer doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. The challenge is finding an activity or project that appeals to their interests. If you don’t know, ask your child what motivates them or what they’re interested in. You may be delightfully surprised by their answer.