Here are some of our favourite ideas of how to keep the kids entertained after school – all from our After-School Nannies!
The Koru Kids after school nannies love sharing ideas with each other for fun stuff to do with the kids after school. We took a peek at their online discussion group, where they offer each other tips on activities to get stuck into between homework and dinnertime.
Here are a few of our favourites among their recent ideas.
Homemade crisps:
Florence, the nanny who took this photo, swears they’re easy to make. We don’t know about that but we are very sure they would be easy to eat.
What to do:
- Slice some potatoes as thinly as you can – watch out for little fingers!
- Cook in boiling water for 3-5 minutes, then drain well.
- Add in any spices you like – get creative!
- Arrange potato slices in a single layer onto a baking tray, then bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
Why not add an extra sprinkle of fun by having a competition to see who can make the tastiest treats?
Blow painting with straws:
Let’s face it, it’s not always easy to be genuinely excited about your kids’ artwork. But these paintings are definitely fridge-worthy – Pollock would be proud.
What to do:
- Clear your workspace, and put down plastic sheets/newspaper.
- Pick a paint colour, and put a small amount onto a sheet of paper.
- Using a straw, invite your child to blow on the paint, pushing it in lots of directions. Make sure they don’t suck in the straw.
- Keep adding colours until they’ve created their very own masterpiece, ready to be hung on the wall once it’s dry!
Credit Pexels
Indoor Mini Golf
Create an indoor obstacle course, using just items you can find around your house!
What to do:
- Use cardboard boxes, coloured paper, and other household objects to create a mini-golf course around the house. Ramps, tunnels and walls are all excellent ideas – don’t make it easy!
- Using a small ball, take it in turns to try to get the ball from A to B in as few moves as possible!
Private Gallery Showing
Every parent knows that your children will bring home more art and creations than you know what to do with – there’s only so much room on the fridge, after all! Make the most of your child’s creative endeavours by staging an exhibition right at home!
- Gather up artwork from around the house – anything creative will do!
- Decorate a room, or the whole house, with their creations!
- Invite everyone you know (or just your family) to come see the exhibition!
Remember to provide drinks and canapes for your guests (juice and crisps will do, in a pinch)!
Make your little one feel like a true artist by auctioning off their best pieces to their guests – one hug per drawing sounds like an excellent price to us!
Credit Pexels
Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are a great way to get kids moving and exploring their surroundings, and they can be customised to fit the interests and abilities of the kids participating.
What to do:
- Hide your chosen objects around the house. Make use of all the space you have available, but remember to make sure the children can get to the hiding spots you’ve chosen!
- Make a list of the hidden objects, and watch the fun unfold!
Make it extra-fun by including riddles or puzzles, and hiding a tasty treat at the end of the hunt!
Salt Dough Creations
Salt dough is simple, cheap and easy to make, and can be used for all sorts of fun things! Make figurines, use it to make imprints, or cut it into fun shapes – just don’t eat it!
What to do:
- Combine two parts flour, to one part salt, to one part water, and mix into a dough.
- Knead the dough on a lightly-floured surface until it becomes smooth and pliable. If the dough is a bit crumbly, add a little more water.
- Use your dough for whatever you like!
- To harden the salt dough in preparation for painting or decoration, simply bake on a low heat for around two hours, and then paint once cool.
To add an extra dash of colour to your creations, you can add a small amount of paint or food colouring to your salt dough – mix it into your water before adding the other ingredients to create a consistent colour, or add half-way through kneading for a magic marbled effect!
Our after-school nannies are always coming up with fun and exciting new ways to keep the kids entertained after picking them up from school – from homemade instruments, to bug hotels, to karaoke competitions! We have to admit – we’re a bit jealous of their jobs.
If you’re looking for some extra help after school, our nannies can help with the school run, cook nutritious meals, and help with homework – and have a bit of fun along the way!
Credit Pexels
Dance-Off!
Burn some of that after-school energy the best way we know how!
What do to:
- Find some dance-worthy tunes for your daytime disco – take it in turns to pick songs, and share your favourites with each other!
- Dance!
Credit Pexels
Other cool activities we’ve heard of from our nannies include: a karaoke competition incorporating homemade instruments; making a bug hotel, complete with plasticine TV, sofa and bed; and putting on a play, written and directed by the children! We have to admit, we are a bit jealous of their jobs!
If you’re looking for some help after school, our after school nannies can pick up from school, help with homework and dinner. Plus, as you can see they are bursting with great ideas to keep the kids entertained.
If you’re looking for more activities and ideas to keep the kids entertained, check out our Activities directory!
