How do you entertain your kids for free?

[Richard C]

Stimulate their imagination & provide some basic raw materials, if they have an inquisitive brain they will be able to entertain themselves. I fear that may be impossible in today’s “computer game” society, most kids now haven’t got a clue if you unplug their Playstation, X box, Nintendo Wii etc.

 

[Susiejb]

She wants to entertain them .... not bore them to death

Anyone would think you're implying that maths isn't interesting.

Now would I do a thing like that
I'm sure it is.....to some people

 

[HOGGY952]

hide n seek, lets see who can clean their room the best, weeding, hopscotch?, rounders at the park with a few of their pals (supervised of course)?, collecting shells (if a beach nearby) washing the car (if they are old enough), jigsaws (they used to keep me occupied for hours and hours),

 

[conny]

Think back to when you were a child and the things you enjoyed doing with your parents that didn't involve much money. If you ever watched Blue Peter, Magpie, Art Attack, HOW! etc think of things that you could make with them from recyclable household items. Take them to the library and let them select books they may enjoy and then read them with them and have little discussions about what they have read. At the same time pick yourself a book or two on things like 'Basic Magic Tricks', 'Card Games for children' or 'Science made Fun'.
As one poster mentioned, their ages will play a part in what is suitable for them, but most of all they will enjoy you being involved with them.
Good luck and let us know how things work out.

 

[cantaloup63]

Psychologists inform us that children are at their most imaginative when they are bored. It is an essential part of their development and as such one shouldn't ever feel guilty by letting them struggle and find things to do for themselves.

Who knows, left to their own devices, they may pick up a book and read. Or create a hobby which needs minimal financial outlay.

Well, one can dream and live in hope

 

[LastMagicBean]

Psychologists inform us that children are at their most imaginative when they are bored. It is an essential part of their development and as such one shouldn't ever feel guilty by letting them struggle and find things to do for themselves.

I take it that's a tongue in cheek comment, surely to god.

Watched a news report the other night about one particular little kid smashing up everything in sight in his back garden with a claw hammer.

"ADHD" the mother says, happily watching the destruction from the kitchen window smoking her fag.

Reporter: Some people may think you need to be somewhat stricter with him.

"No" replies the mother "the psychologists tell me he needs some more LOVE."

ADHD my ass. The kid was clearly BORED and if the lazy cow took the time to care about him, maybe, just maybe he won't be robbing your house in a few years.

 

[imamartian]

is it just me or has anyone else noticed that kids are bored from the minute they wake up until the minute they sleep... unless they have engaging toys or games.... ? or of course, activities organised for them.

The problem is kids don't have a role in society, so will rummage, pick things up, break things, push, prod, twist, bend, bang, pull things until told not to!

this is just what they do !

 

[alumni]

Psychologists inform us that children are at their most imaginative when they are bored. It is an essential part of their development and as such one shouldn't ever feel guilty by letting them struggle and find things to do for themselves.

I take it that's a tongue in cheek comment, surely to god.

Watched a news report the other night about one particular little kid smashing up everything in sight in his back garden with a claw hammer.

"ADHD" the mother says, happily watching the destruction from the kitchen window smoking her fag.

Reporter: Some people may think you need to be somewhat stricter with him.

"No" replies the mother "the psychologists tell me he needs some more LOVE."

ADHD my ass. The kid was clearly BORED and if the lazy cow took the time to care about him, maybe, just maybe he won't be robbing your house in a few years.

Should give the mother the Ritalin, in Overdose quantities.

 

[LastMagicBean]

Should give the mother the Ritalin, in Overdose quantities.

Yep, agreed.
These people should not be allowed to have children full stop.

 

[conny]

Going off topic a bit here.
OP wanted suggestions for entertaining kids for 6 weeks not a discussion on the problems of African tribes.
Can we get back to more suggestions for her or anyone else looking in with the same sort of enquiry?

 

[Shutpa]

When I was at school, I cannot remember any of my peers suffering from ADHD. Perhaps the presence of the belt (cane or tawse elsewhere) in some way helped to disguise the syndrome. Later, when I started teaching, ADHD was still not recognisable and indeed, if I remember correctly, it was only when corporal punishment was abolished, that some children began to exhibit behaviours that may previously been supressed due to the presence of the threat of corporal punishment. In other words, they could do what they liked in class and nobody could do anything about it.
Twenty or so years ago, I was at a holiday camp near Scarborough when day after day after day this 10 years old boy ruined everyones holiday by his appalling behaviour. After a week or so there was a show which was being completely ruined by the said lad's behaviour when another guest walked up and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and bawled, " You are spoiling my ******** holiday so from now on keep your ******** mouth shut". The boy did not reply. His parents said nothing and for the remaining few days the holiday became a holiday and the guy who sorted it out became a hero. Was it ADHD? Who knows? The main thing was that it was cured or supressed by the intervention of a guy who had had enough.

 

[Nige F]

The problem is kids don't have a role in society, so will rummage, pick things up, break things, push, prod, twist, bend, bang, pull things until told not to!

this is just what they do !

Well said Imam Problem is that us baby boomers and the Governments we have voted in over several decades - will ensure the kids never have a role

 

[alumni]

Problem is that us baby boomers and the Governments we have voted in over several decades - will ensure the kids never have a role

Out of interest, what roles do you think the children could do then?

 

[Mickymoody]

When I was at school, I cannot remember any of my peers suffering from ADHD. Perhaps the presence of the belt (cane or tawse elsewhere) in some way helped to disguise the syndrome. Later, when I started teaching, ADHD was still not recognisable and indeed, if I remember correctly, it was only when corporal punishment was abolished, that some children began to exhibit behaviours that may previously been supressed due to the presence of the threat of corporal punishment. In other words, they could do what they liked in class and nobody could do anything about it.
Twenty or so years ago, I was at a holiday camp near Scarborough when day after day after day this 10 years old boy ruined everyones holiday by his appalling behaviour. After a week or so there was a show which was being completely ruined by the said lad's behaviour when another guest walked up and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and bawled, " You are spoiling my ******** holiday so from now on keep your ******** mouth shut". The boy did not reply. His parents said nothing and for the remaining few days the holiday became a holiday and the guy who sorted it out became a hero. Was it ADHD? Who knows? The main thing was that it was cured or supressed by the intervention of a guy who had had enough.

None of the kids in my school had ADHD, or dyslexia...strange how these issues affect children now, but 20 years ago, when I went to school didn't exist...

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

kick them outside and tell them to go find some mates?

Seriously though, back in the day I wouldn't be seen dead at home during summer hols unless the weather was bad. Mum got used to not seeing me for 12 hours a day and not phoning the cops.

What is it with the kids of today, do they really need pampering?
Don't get me wrong, love and care for them and cherish those moments.

But as nickso, I to was long gone during the school holidays, you would not see me anywhere near the house, only for refuelling. More interesting places to be! and it cost me nor my parents nowt! Well maybe the repairing and washing of the clothes cost something