Diaries Magazine

Cheap School Holiday Fun

Posted on the 08 July 2014 by Suzanne Robinson @mummy2twinsblog

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Have you wondered what to do with the kids these school holidays? Worried that if you take them somewhere or do anything it will cost you? Well I have a list of fun things to do that will not break the bank. Yes these fun things will keep the kids happy as well as your bank balance.

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1. Playdough Fun

The night before I made a whole batch of playdough. I created multiple colours and also some had glitter in them as well. I added the food dye to each batch and made sure they were very bright vivid colours to make it even more fun. (Make sure you wear gloves as my hands were stained for a couple of days – yes I had green and red hands)

Playdough - In resealable bags so that the dough remains fresh and does not dry out.

Playdough – In resealable bags so that the dough remains fresh and does not dry out.

I gave the kids cookie cutters, rolling pin, tooth picks and more so they could make patterns and be as creative as they wished.

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I made the playdough  recipe from McKenzie’s Cream of Tartar for playdough as it gives a nice smooth fluffy feeling. If you use this way to make playdough it will come out so nice and soft, it will be just like the ones at the store. Yes you heard that right!  Give it a go and see. Make a big batch and put it all in containers for a rainy day. The kids loved this and played with the dough and their creations for hours.

All the kids playdough creations drying. Once all done we can have them on our shelves to display. Don't they look amazing.

All the kids playdough creations drying. Once all done we can have them on our shelves to display. Don’t they look amazing.

2. Baking Fun

My girls love to make cakes and of course after the cake is in the oven, they love to lick the mixing bowl and spoon. I did that as a kid and it is the best as the mixture always tastes wonderful and so chocolatey!

I created a marble cake and added a vanilla cake mix to a chocolate one that had chocolate bits added to it as well. Once mixed in it created a marvelous marble mixture and looked great once it was cut into. Sorry I did not get any other pictures than the one before it was all eaten. Yes it was that good. Maybe I should be a masterchef????

Yummy Marble Cake - Get your little chefs busy with this easy to make cake

Yummy Marble Cake – Get your little chefs busy with this easy to make cake

If you have a packet cake mix this keeps things easy and all you need to do is add the eggs/egg and milk, stir and then put it in the oven. Simple cake made! You can ice it or add chocolate bits like we did, the choice is yours. Enjoy!

3. Painting Fun

I wanted to get the kids painting, and I did not want a paint that causes issues with clothes or bad if you accidentally eat it. So I made my own paint. How I hear you ask??

These are the ingredients I used:

  • Cornflour
  • Water
  • Food dye

I started with 1 cup of cornflour and enough water to make a paste. I created all the mixture before I added the color as I wanted different colours that would allow the kids to paint a picture and not be restricted to two colours only. I added the mixture without the color into a cupcake tin and then added the color to each area of the tin.

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I decided to make, yellow, purple, orange, blue, green and red. I ended up using more cornflour as it was not quite a past consistency and I used more water than I should have as it was my first attempt on making this. To make each paint set I put in the freezer to set. I am not sure if that is the done thing but it worked out quite well.

It might have been in the freezer for a bit long but after adding a bit of water with the paint brush the color melted a bit and it was just like real paints but with cornflour and water.

Having fun painting.  Such creative artists.

Having fun painting. Such creative artists.

Great paint mummy! What else can I paint?

Great paint mummy! What else can I paint?

4. Movie Fun

It is always fun to watch a film you have never seen before and to have lunch. I fed the kids some food while they all sat and watched Frozen. Yes we are late to the party and have just seen Frozen.

Mesmorized watching Frozen

Mesmerized watching Frozen

Now all the kids are singing is, “I want to build a snowman!” AHHHHH Oh well, so glad they loved it and sat still to watch it. Winning I think!

So grab a film that no one has seen as it will capture their interest for longer. If you want why not make a bed on the floor of the living room and make a treat of the film. You can even pop corn if the kids like that.

5. Park Fun

Around the corner of the house is a park. So I walked the kids to the park and they all ran amok at the park. One went on the swing, the other the monkey bars and one other was going down the slippery dip. Fresh air and exercise always helps keeps kids happy.

The park is free and if you are not near one you can drive to one and bring the bike/scooter the child can get more enjoyment out of playing with their toys.

Swinging is fun! I am doing it all by myself now mummy!

Swinging is fun! I am doing it all by myself now mummy!

Look at me, I can do the monkey bars all by myself. How clever is she!

Look at me, I can do the monkey bars all by myself. How clever is she!

I hope this list of some fun things to do with kids helps while they are on school holidays or for the weekends. Enjoy!

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