Stuff to Do

As mentioned in the Planning section there are loads of places to go and things to do. But what if the weather is too bad or what if you cannot be arsed? The vast majority of parents already know the answer to this problem. There is a baby sitting solution that can entertain like no other. No child ever gets bored and they usually shut up whilst enthralled. Of course I am talking about the television. Need I say more? To maximise entertainment I suggest getting a massive flat screen HD TV and/or a projector with surround sound. When entranced by the wonder box you will be free to do anything. For example I like to do a lot of 'research' on the internet in my upstairs office whilst my son is watching reruns of Columbo downstairs.

What if the TV breaks!

  • Making a Den

    Large sheets and pegs can be used to create impressive dens which should be decked out with cushions and pillows. Using white sheets will allow you to read whilst lazing around in the den and your child will be so excited by being inside some draped cloth that they may entertain themselves for a while. It is also a good idea to get lots of teddies and dolls in the den with lots of kids’ books. Then tell your offspring it is reading time and all their toys need to read so they are less likely to complain about you reading if their toys are doing the same.

  • Bathing hour

    On particularly cold days there is nothing better than having a long bath. Many children will be only too keen to play in the bath too. Make sure they have a lot of toys to play with so you can read or play your harmonica in peace.

  • IT

    The internet is brilliant. My child learnt all his alphabet and some words using the website www.starfall.com. It is tremendously good as long as you don’t mind your daughter/son reading with a broad American accent. Another invaluable aspect of computers are Paint Packages such as Photoshop. Most children love drawing and painting. Normally once your child has created their scribbles, scrawls, swirls and spots you spend hours cleaning up. Not so on the computer. You just turn it off. As an added bonus you don't have to look at their mediocre productions and feign how impressed you are.

  • Bouncing on beds

    I keep a spare mattress under my child’s bed so that it can be pulled out to about a metres gap from his bed. I then challenge him to leap from one to another. I clip a red towel to his tee shirt and say that superman could jump between the two one hundred times. He proceeds to mimic the Man of Steel and tires himself out. This is a great activity to do before bathing hour which normally precedes nap time.

  • Cleaning eg Dusting the Skirting boards

    Offer a piece of chocolate for each room dusted. Voila, clean skirting boards.

  • Things to avoid!

    Do not do actual painting, cooking (baking cakes etc), making models (gluing cereal boxes to lollipop sticks etc), Playdough modelling or any other activity that requires substantial clean up. Some think that these activities are good for children but there is no scientific evidence to back up their claims. Most chefs are angry maniacs and sculptors are drug addicts so don't encourage your child to follow in their footsteps. Avoid getting roped into playing with dolls or other make believe stuff, especially games where you end up being a horse. How can you expect to have authority if they have ridden you like a beast of burden? All board games and jigsaws should be avoided too (unless they can do it themselves) so as not risk death through boredom.