Our Easter Hols

Our Easter Holiday in pics!

And finally...

Relax!!

How was your Easter break?

                             M xx

Rainy day activities

We're fortunate enough to live in an area that is densely populated with parks, soft plays, museums and other family friendly attractions, however, on days when the weather is like it has been of late and you really don't want to go out I realise just how quickly cabin fever can set in!

So with the weather forecast not looking too great for a little while here are some of our favourite rainy day activities.

Masking Tape Games

Something as simple as a role of masking tape can provide hours of fun. Mark out a hopscotch on the floor using the tape. Using the masking tape stick a large circle to the floor followed by 2 smaller circles inside the largest one and an 'x' in the centre. Roll a ball and try and get as close to the 'x' as possible.

Play Dough

Despite what many think, making your own play dough couldn't be any simpler. There are loads of recipes out there that require just a few ingredients which you will probably have lying around in the cupboards at home. The beauty of homemade play dough is that its non-toxic, cheap and can be made in minutes.

Puddle jumping

This has to be the ultimate(and my personal favourite) rainy day activity. Get all the kids and adults to pull on a pair of wellies, grab a brolly if it's not too windy and head out in search of some puddles to do some good old fashioned puddle jumping in!

Rain gauge

Let the kids play scientists by measuring how much rain falls. Find any measuring implement(jugs, old baby bottles or pick up a rain gauge) and leave it out in the garden, on the windowsill or on a balcony. After every period of rain get the children to record how much rain fell in a chart of some kind

*this could also be used as part of your child's school homework*

Bake

Get baking! Fairy cakes, biscuits, fudge, desserts, flapjacks. You'll be surprised by how many ingredients you'll already have laying around in your cupboards so there's no excuse!

Indoor picnic 

Ok, so the weather outside may be rubbish but why not have an indoor picnic? Complete with blanket, sandwiches and  finger foods treat yourselves to a bug free picnic!

Decorate a candle

If like me you have hundreds of candles around the house then why not get out some plain candles and your craft box and let everyone decorate a candle. The possibilities are only as limited as your imagination.

Play a board game
Monopoly, Kerplunk, Frustration and Dominoes these were just some of the games I used to play as I child and I find they are still as popular today. Get everyone around the table and enjoy an afternoon and fun (and in our house lots of cheating!)

Do a puzzle
For me, there's always been something quite therapeutic about sitting with the kids so why not get everyone to get out their favourite puzzle and all complete them together.

Make a Christmas Pomander

With the school Christmas holidays fast approaching I'm always on the lookout for festive craft projects that I can do with with the kids.

One thing we look forward to making every year are our Christmas pomanders. Super easy and fun to make these will go down a treat and leave the house smelling very Christmassy.

You will need

Oranges

Ribbon

Cloves

Cinnamon 

Star anise

Skewer

1) Wrap the ribbon around the orange in any style you want but remember to tie it at the top and leave the loose ends.

2) Use the skewer to pierce the orange where you want to put the cloves then insert them. You could follow a pattern or place them randomly, be as creative as you can.

3) Once your happy with the way the cloves are arranged, attach the cinnamon to the loose ends of the ribbon and tie a know.

4) Slip the ribbon through the back of the star anise and push it down the ribbon to the cinnamon stick.

5) Tie the loose ends into a bow and hang around the house.

That's it, you'll now have some beautiful Christmas decorations and a wonderful smelling house!

                           M xx