Seven ways to keep the family occupied in January 2018

It’s the start of the New Year and I find myself lacking energy as I’ve been wiped out by the merriment of Christmas and celebrating the end of another exhausting – yet memorable – year. However, my children do not seem to be aware of this cycle: they want to be permanently entertained. Obviously, as the good parent I am, I can’t help myself and I want to oblige. Here are some of my favourite ways to entertain my kids that don’t cost the earth or drive me up the wall.

Big screen entertainment

When the day is particular harsh outside, that’s when it’s the ideal time to watch a family film. I’d love to be able to tell you that we cuddle up on the sofa with a box of popcorn and enjoy the film. However, it’s more like the children sit in their favourite spot by themselves or build a den and totally zone into the TV. Maybe one day my dream might come true.

However, sometimes it’s better to get the authentic cinema experience. The Orpheus Cinema, in Westbury Park, is great for this – every Saturday morning they put on a family movie, with tickets costing just £2. Now that’s what I call a bargain.

Get crafty

I often resort to my craft box: a strong plastic bag that has bits and pieces that I’ve acquired from very cheap shops. My children love cutting, sticking and drawing and they’re not particularly bothered whether it results in anything as long as they’re getting stuck in.

Some of our family favourites include making masks from a paper plate, scissors, some string or ribbon, coloured pencils or crayons and a little creativity, and making treasure maps. Occasionally, we pretend the map is real and go in search either in the house or garden looking for the treasure. Otherwise, good old fashioned drawing and colouring in is always a winner.

However, sometimes the children want to get really messy, not something I’m too keen on in the house. That’s why the Children’s Scrapstore in St Werburgh’s is so good. You can either drop off or stay-and-play at regular Room To Play sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings for 2-5 year-olds, at a cost of £5 per child. Don’t forget to book in advance.

The great outdoors

It’s all very well entertaining the children indoors but my two tend to go a little crazy if they don’t get out of the house. Plus, sometimes I also need to escape the four walls of my home too.

We love going down to the Portishead Lake Grounds, or venturing a little further to Chew Valley Lake – it’s good for walking, and there’s the added advantage that the children get to feed the ducks and also let off steam in the playground. If being near water isn’t your thing then we also like to go to Leigh Woods as it’s great for both walking and also building dens, or over to visit Blaise Castle, which has plenty of open space and an impressive play area.

Quiet time

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As for being out but indoors, we sometimes go to our local library. We take out books, and they also have a good colouring-in area and have planned activities. We’ve also been to the Bristol Museum, which is really good for younger children as not only are there exhibitions of things like dinosaur fossils to look at, but also a mini softplay.

Softplay

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If there is one thing that is difficult to avoid as a parent, it’s the natural pull of a soft play centre. Cheeky Monkeys in St George is one of the best I’ve found. I like it because it offers a variety of play for both my four-year-old and my two-year-old, plus it’s very reasonably priced at £2.95 for children aged two and above.

When my husband is with us for one-on-one marking, we go to Playspace in St. Philip’s. It’s a lot bigger and the children get to have a good work out. Prices depend on age and start at £1.50 for under 1s.

Cooking up a storm

Since having children I’ve developed skills I didn’t realise I had. I’d say I’m most proud of my abilities to build an indoor den: it’s not particularly inventive but the children seem to appreciate my effort. Another skill is definitely  teaching them to mix dry cake ingredients without getting them absolutely everywhere – and fortunately, both my children love to help me cook.

For a while, I wasn’t quite sure about them ‘helping’, as I was worried that they’d either cut themselves, burn themselves or – even worse – double the time it takes me to cook. However, it’s turned out quite well. In the past we’ve made cornflake cakes, crumbles and apple cake. They also like to chip in when it comes to making the family meal. This is a bonus because it actually reduces the amount of times I hear the dreaded cry of “When will it be ready?”

Green fingers

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As my kids have got a little older, they’ve become keen gardeners. What I mean is, my husband does the gardening whilst the kids and I get in his way. This means we also like to visit garden centres, and Thornbury Garden Centre has become our go-to. The added attraction is that after we’ve settled on what greenery to buy, we can reward ourselves with coffee and cake from the café whilst the children explore the softplay (£2 per child). Everyone’s a winner.

Read more: 85 things to do in January 2018