HELP! My kids are home from school for 2 weeks and I need ideas to keep them entertained!?

Question

My daughters are ages 9 & 12, and today is their 1st day of no school for 2 weeks.I work from home, and my husband works 10 hour days, so I'm at home with the girls this morning and they're already saying they're bored!
They like to watch movies, but I don't want them doing that for 2 weeks straight. I've been trying to think of some things we can do together that don't cost anything (or much) during the day, like baking cookies, starting new traditions for the holidays, etc. but can't think of much.
They already have their chores finished for the day, so I need some ideas on how to spend the next 2 weeks...ideas that will make their holiday break memorable.
Thanks to all in advance!!

For queen corvette: Your heart is cold! I had children because I love kids...

I'm getting a lot of "dress Up, cinderella, etc" ideas, but my girls are a bit old for that type of thing.And, shopping...it's Christmas time, which means cash is short and in less than a week they'll have new things to open anyway.
I'm looking for traditions to start more than anything...Thanks!!

Answer 1

Hi! WOW, I loved the lasy guy's response, but that's a hard lesson to teach young-uns. We're trying with my son, who is 3 1/2. However, it seems like you're trying to create memories with them, right?

My kids are a lot younger, but we always go on walks. Even if it's a bit chilly, we take out cups and collect things like acorns, leaves, rocks etc. We walk the trails and look for bugs. (Might not fly with girls!)

There's also sidewalk chalk, sidewalk paint, beading and friendship bracelets. Take them to a roller or ice skating rink, the library, local museum. Take them to the art museum!

Read books with them, play board games, make hot chocolate, have a pedicure day. Have them clean the house. :)

Answer 2

I think Queen Corvette had a very valid point, even if she didn't elaborate. You made it sound a little bit like you were just trying to find a way to pass the time, like a babysitter, so you didn't have to deal with them. I see that's not the case, however.

Anyway, all I can say is that you need to work hard to make sure you do things in a gender-neutral way. Don't just "bake cookies" and "dress up". Baking cookies is great, they should learn how, and you can do other things too. For example, pick an interesting subject and learn all about it together, or trying to come up with some experiments for them to do. Teach them how to question and test the natural world around them so that they learn to rationalize and not believe in superstitions. Exercise their brains!
I'm not a big fan of traditions. Teach them about other cultures adn what they might be doing at this time of year. Never let them stop learning for one second.

Answer 3

I used to enjoy going to the library with my children and having family reading time. Nothing like a good book. And afternoon of baking cookies, decorating the tree if not already done and complete. Maybe a afternoon out to lunch. Board games and cards have always been fun. Finishing up the Christmas shopping have they already chosen gifts for the family? Sled riding, Christmas caroling, volunteering and bell ringing for the Salvation Army, this can be a fun way to teach the importance of community service. Good luck and God bless****

Answer 4

How about have them start a journal. Or ask them to write their opinion about their fave show. Why they like and so on and so forth that can help them improve their communication skills and you can see where there head is at. Have them write a short story about their ultimate vacation. Or play sharades, or make a house out of cards. Do they have any video games or computer games. Baking is great too, I started cooking when I was 7 yrs old.

Queen Coverette Your a Jack AS$

Answer 5

kids love it when you play with them. Rent a game cube game and have a tournament with them. Have a clean a thon.... pick a room that has been bugging you and play some music and the person who does the best and fastest job gets ice cream (but in the end, everyone is tied). Make a craft, like a dream catcher. Bake ginger bread men. Make a family of snow men. go skating. Go to the city for lunch. teach them how to wrap gifts.

Answer 6

Volunteer to aid at one other pre-university a number of hours on a daily basis and let him play unless he wares down. It will aid both of you. You also ought to improve some acquaintances, probably through church or different community choices. Nonetheless, without a vehicle it can be problematic. Possibly you're on the bus line. At last resort, play with him for your yard, make him run and be actual lively and he'll tire out and relax. Limit his consumption of sugar; the less the better, as this may increasingly take down his energy degree.

Answer 7

these are fun ages with little girls. You could plan a cinderella day where they could use what clothes they can find to look like cinderella, make-up and all, have a tea party that they prepare and invite a best friend or two to share. museums for children would be a good day trip. how about one day in your nearest city or a new city where you could have lunch and let them each buy a new outfit. whatever you do with them, enjoy it!

Answer 8

Depending on the weather in your area, why not take them to the park? Buy some paint and canvas (3 for $4 at wal-mart) and have them paint pictures for their grandparents for xmas? Maybe draw a picture for daddy for xmas, and then take them to pick and buy a frame for it. If you go to Hobby Lobby or even Wal Mart I'm sure that in the craft section there are plenty of projects and ideas that your kiddos can do. Arrange with another mother to have a sleepover at your house one night, and then a sleepover at their friend's house another night...I think it's awesome that you're trying to make your children's vacation memorable and not letting them spend it in front of the tv...good luck!

Answer 9

- Apples to Apples is a great game that spans their ages, scrabble, rummy, canasta, monopoly - all fun. Museums, art galleries - awesome way to spend hours.

Have them write and costume a play and make sets to perform for you. Have them write a family newspaper.

Let them learn how to entertain themselves: if they are already bored, that speaks very poorly of what school has done to them. i'd start homeschooling right away as school has obviously destroyed their initiative.

Answer 10

Volunteer to help at yet another pre-college some hours each and every day and enable him play till he wares down. it may help the two one among you. you besides could could desire to advance some acquaintances, probable via church or different community possibilities. even with the undeniable fact that, without motor vehicle that's puzzling. possibly you're on the bus line. at last hotel, play with him on your backyard, make him run and be authentic energetic and he will tire out and calm down. cut back his intake of sugar; the less the extra powerful, as this could take down his potential point.