Sharing ideas for extra curriculum stuff/fun things that are free

[emmadrew]

Costs of extra curriculum activities can mount up. There are lots of free things out there to help occupy kids and teach them new stuff too. Perhaps we can share anything that we find?

On the hunt for arty/creative stuff, I came across a great website that lets you download free colouring patterns, and I think (but not certain) that kids can submit designs that might be added to the site. I think this is a really good idea, and when I was a kid I loved these geometric patterns to colour in (might even relive my youth and download one to try!)
Here's the site:
https://www.patternsforcolouring.com/

And a competition to design a sofa where kids can download and print outlines of sofas and their dream sofa. A great idea, and they can win prizes.

https://www.sofa.com/win/design-your-dream-sofa

If anyone has any other ideas, it would be great to share them

 

[TattiesMum]

Hmmm ... it depends on the ages of the children, but here are a selection of my old 'tricks' to keep them occupied at little cost I can't wait to be able to repeat some of these with Kaylum

Teddy Bears picnic? Children and bears to the park with sandwiches cut into teddy shapes, a bag of Pom Bear crisps and a box of honey bears ... have a bear hunt, make daisy chain crowns, play frisbee - turns an ordinary trip to the park into something a bit more interesting

Tent in the dining room/kitchen - a flat sheet thrown over the table so that it touches the floor ... or turn the table over and let them use it as a 'boat'.

Baking - from chocolate crispy cakes to decorating cup cakes they always love this

Painting in the garden ... tack paper to the fence or shed and let them go mad without having to worry about the mess. Hosing them down afterwards is something they enjoy too

Salt Dough modelling - they can make door name plates for their bedrooms or even gifts for christmas (might as well get started early lol). Here's the recipe and some ideas:
https://www.familycorner.com/dir/Family/Kids/Kids_Crafts/Salt_Dough/

Tie dying - cheap white T shirts from Primark and a couple of Dyes
https://www.kinderart.com/textiles/easytiedye.shtml

Make your own kites and then go and fly them
https://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html

Treasure hunts
https://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_28.html

Have fun

 

[happigail]

Hmmm ... it depends on the ages of the children, but here are a selection of my old 'tricks' to keep them occupied at little cost I can't wait to be able to repeat some of these with Kaylum

Teddy Bears picnic? Children and bears to the park with sandwiches cut into teddy shapes, a bag of Pom Bear crisps and a box of honey bears ... have a bear hunt, make daisy chain crowns, play frisbee - turns an ordinary trip to the park into something a bit more interesting

Tent in the dining room/kitchen - a flat sheet thrown over the table so that it touches the floor ... or turn the table over and let them use it as a 'boat'.

Baking - from chocolate crispy cakes to decorating cup cakes they always love this

Painting in the garden ... tack paper to the fence or shed and let them go mad without having to worry about the mess. Hosing them down afterwards is something they enjoy too

Salt Dough modelling - they can make door name plates for their bedrooms or even gifts for christmas (might as well get started early lol). Here's the recipe and some ideas:
https://www.familycorner.com/dir/Family/Kids/Kids_Crafts/Salt_Dough/

Tie dying - cheap white T shirts from Primark and a couple of Dyes
https://www.kinderart.com/textiles/easytiedye.shtml

Make your own kites and then go and fly them
https://www.skratch-pad.com/kites/make.html

Treasure hunts
https://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_28.html

Have fun

wow you have great ideas. Wish I'd read this when my son was younger, i'l use them this time around tho!

 

[TattiesMum]

Thanks

I had 3 little ones and not a lot of money, so entertaining them in the Loooong school holidays had to be cheap