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7 Tips: How to entertain your kids at home
Does the climbing frame or the child-friendly museum not feel appropriate at the moment? When the kids are restless and bouncing off the walls, it's always a good idea to have some activities for them prepared in advance. Puzzles, games or other arts and crafts can let the kids (and the parents at home with them) exercise their energy to avoid excess boredom and a crummy mood.
1. Get busy with some engaging arts and crafts.
When you really sink your teeth into creating or building something the hours can just fly by before you know it. The great thing about arts and crafts is that they work for all ages.
2. Pass some time with drawing and colouring
Some kids are drawn to colours and pens all on their own. For those who need a little inspiration, exploring still life images or trying to draw the children's favourite book or movie characters.
Paint a rock
One way to kick off arts and crafts time outdoors is by finding the perfect rock, children are of course the de-facto experts of this. Then all you have to do is take the rock home and paint it!
Watercolours are timeless
All you need is some good paper, a box of paints and a brush to set aside some time for some fantasy-filled painting!
3. Build on the table and floor
Building is a wonderful time-killer that can occupy loads of time over a few days or weeks because who really decides when your creation is ready and playtime is over?
Plus Plus
For those who haven't seen the fantastic colours of Plus Plus before, there awaits a whole world full of building and creation. Plus Plus also makes versions for small children that are very safe and non-swallowable.
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Play with some Lego
"There's nothing to do!", "Well why don't you play with some Lego?" - this is a classic conversation had by many kids and their parents. However, there's a reason for this, Lego is fantastic!
4. Turn your bathtub into a swimming pool
Water toys are always really fun, so being able to entertain your little ones while giving them a good wash is a bonus!
Bath Crayons
Writing or drawing on the walls is something you should never do... unless you're in the bathtub and are using bath crayons!
Bathe in slime
Having a slime bath is an idea that is simply irresistible for many kids, this is however much nicer than actually bathing in a tub full of slime.
Bath toy classics
You don't need anything too fancy to scoop up mini-buckets of water with, a plastic or plexi-glass bowl works just fine! Add a mini-shovel or two, some bubbles and let the kids pretend they're in their own ice-cream café.
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5. Share some screen-time together
The more the merrier is the name of the game, so let the adults and kids gather together around the TV to play some of the best multiplayer games out there!
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Mario Kart
Play with up to 8 players and compete to see who the best Mario Kart racer in the family is!
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Kirby Star Allies (Nintendo Switch)
Gather up to 4 players in a team and work together through challenges in this gorgeous, fantasy-filled world.
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Little Big Planet (PlayStation 4)
Explore this expansive mini-world as Sackboy and his friends in a game that is equal parts engaging as it is fun.
6. Play a game together
When it comes to older kids, those of pre-school age or perhaps even a bit younger, playing games with some physical activity is often the best bet.
Twister
This classic game will have you falling over in laughter as you try to contort yourself to match all the positions on the Twister board.
Ideal Mr. Bucket
A fun game with a lot of character - roll out the mat and be ready with your shovel to catch the balls!
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7. Create figurines and worlds with plasticine and clay
Create all kinds of three-dimensional wonders with different types of clay or plasticine. Some can be used again and again and others can be hardened by placing it in the oven to create a new piece of jewellery or a toy.
Kinetic Sand
Kinetic sand has a very unique feel to it; dry and damp simultaneously. As long as you store it properly after each use, it'll give you many years of quality entertainment.
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Play-Doh
Play-Doh is a true classic that comes in a wide array of colours and forms with accessories that let you shape the plasticine into everything from food and ice-cream to animals and flowers.
More tips and advice on how to protect yourself from illness
In order to make it easier for you to find great content on the theme of protection from illnesses, we've created a collection page for all of the related stories and content we've made on this topic. The page is updated on an on-going basis and here we'll gather guides and tips we hope will be of use and helpful to you in these flu-ridden times.