Keeping Kids Active and Engaged During Half Term

Half term can mean one thing to a lot of people, balancing child care and their own work demands. Things have been made easier with more flexible working but there are always still challenges. Equally it can be a great opportunity for families to spend quality time together.

Therefore, we thought we’d explore way you can balance work and childcare, finding reputable clubs and activities, and prioritising safety and enjoyment. Above all, finding ways to have a bit of fun.

Balancing Work and Childcare

Juggling work commitments with childcare responsibilities can be daunting, until you find something you trust and works for you. Here are a few tips to help you strike a balance:

Planning and Preparation

Early Bird Gets the Worm: Book childcare arrangements well in advance. Popular holiday clubs and childminders can fill up quickly.
Flexible Work Arrangements: Utilise flexible work arrangements such as remote work or flexible hours to spend more time with your children. Agree these with your manager and if there is no policy for this maybe now is the time to create one.
Emergency Childcare: Have a backup plan, like a trusted family member or friend, in case of unexpected meetings or you need to go into the office. Some shared work places to allow children and dogs so make sure you know the rules for your work place.

Finding the Right Childcare

Holiday Clubs: Research local holiday clubs offered by schools, community centres, or sports clubs. Your school will most likely have connections or maybe even clubs on site that are separate to the school.
Family and Friends: Enlist the help of family and friends who might be available to babysit. We've also seen parent's take it in turns with the families of their child's friends.
Childminders: Consider hiring a registered childminder for personalised care.
Au Pairs: For longer periods, an au pair can provide childcare and household assistance.

Making the Most of Home Time

Create a Routine: Establish a daily routine to maintain structure and minimise the chaos.
Online Activities: Whilst screen time might be something you actively manage, there are still some good online resources for activities and entertainment. Many websites and apps offer age-appropriate games, puzzles, and learning exercises.
Outdoor Adventures: Plan outdoor activities like park visits, bike rides, or nature walks. There are many free attractions across the country such as museums or performing artists like those in Covent Garden.
Family Time: Dedicate quality time for family activities, such as board games, movie nights, or cooking together. The thing most children want, is to spend time with you.

Tips for Working from Home with Kids

Create a Dedicated Workspace: Set up a designated workspace to minimise distractions. A good friend of ours installed lights around his office door: Green - Feel free to come in. Red -Please don't come in. Amber - Tea please!
Communicate Effectively: Let your colleagues know your childcare situation and set clear expectations. They're probably in a similar situation so it's something to bond over and share your own half term hacks.
Utilise Technology: Use video conferencing tools to stay connected with colleagues without the need to go into the office. You can even do a call on a walk if you don't need to be on screen or present.
Take Breaks: Short breaks to spend time with your children can boost your own energy and productivity.
Plan Ahead: Prepare tasks and schedule work during your child's nap time or quiet moments. A good film helps free up capacity for a 60min meeting for example.

Choosing the Right Activities and Clubs

When selecting activities and clubs there can be many things to consider such as safety, enjoyment, and convenience.

Safety: Ensure the club or activity provider has a strong safety record and qualified staff.
Supervision: Check the staff-to-child ratio and the supervision arrangements.
Reputation: Research the club's reputation and read reviews from other parents.
Child's Interests: Choose activities that align with your child's interests and passions.
Cost: Consider your budget and choose activities that offer value for money. Is food provided for example?
Location and Convenience: Select activities that are easily accessible and convenient for your family.

There are many organisations still supported with Holiday Activities and Food Programme funding. This is so the 153 local authorities can coordinate free holiday provision including healthy food and activities primarily for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits-related free school meals. Please note this only covers Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays and is due to end this year but could be extended into 2025.

We’re sure you’ve probably already got a back catalogue of activities to keep them busy but here’s some options just in case:

Board Games: Classic board games like Monopoly, Scrabble, or Cluedo can provide hours of fun and strategic thinking. Some of these games, like Monopoly, have quicker, card only versions as well, which are worth checking out
Card Games: Simple card games like Go Fish, Old Maid, or Uno are all easy to learn. Exploding kittens is one of our favourites though
Puzzles: Jigsaw puzzles can stimulate problem-solving skills and patience as well as the added benefit of being a favourite topic or theme.
Art and Crafts: Encourage creativity with activities like drawing, painting, colouring, or making crafts. Of course, pumpkin carving is quite topical at the moment
Indoor Scavenger Hunt: Hide clues around the house and let your child solve puzzles to find a hidden treasure.
Storytelling: Take turns telling stories, creating imaginative worlds, and developing characters.
Baking or Cooking: Get kids involved in the kitchen by helping to measure ingredients, mix batter, or decorate treats. Bonfire night treats a good seasonal idea.

Whatever your survival tactics are, we hope you have a great half term and come through the other side unscathed and your children have a wonderful break.