Keeping your Kids Stimulated and Entertained This Holiday

Hey mom and dad, here are some awesome ideas for keeping your kids stimulated and entertained this holiday!

WOW, can you believe the holidays are here again? But you don’t have to worry about bored and frustrated little ones these holidays thanks to these awesome ideas that are sure to keep your kids happy!

How to keep the kids entertained AND find rest for parents

The trick is to put in a little bit of planning so that you are prepared with heaps of fun things to do to get you through the day while keeping your little ones out of mischief. Get the kids involved in the planning too, it will give them things to look forward to and they will be pleased to be included in the decision-making.

Now for some entertainment ideas to select from for all ages! These are sure to provide great opportunities for stimulation, fun, and lovely holiday bonding while still allowing you some well-earned downtime.

1. Make an obstacle course.

Obstacle courses are fun for all kids and can provide hours of entertainment. They encourage your little one to clamber on, under, and over your household furniture. This not only strengthens their muscles but also challenges their little minds as they try to figure out how to negotiate the obstacles! With a little thought, you can use an obstacle course in a variety of different ways to challenge your child’s gross motor development.

For the little ones – aka toddlers and preschoolers 

Make an exciting obstacle course for your little one to move through. Use your cushions, pillows, soft blankets, and mats for him or her to walk or crawl “over”.

Find obstacles to crawl or duck “under” such as chairs or tables. They will love going “through” boxes (open at each end), tunnels, duvet covers (that have openings on either side), and even your legs.

Take your little one’s hand (if walking) or encourage him or her to crawl after you and show them how to weave their way between the objects. Next, encourage your little one to try on their own – this may take a few tries, so be prepared!

A big “Hooray!” at the end should encourage your little one to try it again and again.

For the older children: 

Take the obstacle course outside and use old pieces of wood, boxes, buckets, and garden chairs — anything that can be jumped over, under, or around. Tell the children to time each other around the course. Maybe even throw in a little chocolate prize or two for the winner(s)!

2. Get cooking.

Many fine motor skills are strengthened and refined while baking and cooking or preparing food. Babies and toddlers will also be more likely to try some new foods if they have helped to prepare them with you so this is a great activity for fussy eaters, which let’s be honest all children are at some point, right!? Also, keep in mind that many toddlers eat while preparing the meal, so it’s a win-win!

Get your baby or toddler to help you in the kitchen. From helping to mix their cereal (you can even use your hands over theirs to guide the action) to baking some cookies, your toddler will love to pour, mix, roll, collect, pick up small pieces, and of course lick the spoon!

Older kids can use small scissors to cut up items (e.g. lettuce or cucumber for a salad) and even small babies can help pick up and pack raisins, cheese cubes, popcorn, and so on into a small container when packing a snack. This strengthens the pincer grasp (using the thumb and index finger to pick up a small item).

3. Make up a song together.

Music offers a special way to interact with your baby and toddler, as children often communicate and connect during music long before they can actually say any words. A great way to enjoy music with your little ones, even from the youngest age is to make up a song together. Here are some hints on how to create a family hit:

• Choose a simple, familiar tune to start.
• Make up a song about things that are familiar. Use your child’s name in the song and the names of other important people.
• Choose meaningful, useful words. Some traditional children’s songs have complicated vocabulary, such as “Mulberry bush”, “water spout”, or “London Bridge”, which are hard for little ones to understand – let alone pronounce!
• Put important words at the end of the lines in the song – this will make these words stand out.
• Keep it simple! Children love repetition and learn from it. So repeat key lyrics and keep the number of words to a minimum.
• Add simple actions or movements to the song.
• Add sound effects or “fun words” to the song, if appropriate. Examples include animal sounds such as “quack quack” or “moo”, vehicle sounds such as “vrooooomm” or “beep beep”, or other sounds and fun words such as “achoooo!”, “wheee!”, and “boo!”

But how do you keep your loved little ones safe, entertained, and stimulated between these fun activities?

We are glad you asked. That’s where our range of incredible, safe, fun, and educational toys and early learning smart devices come in handy!

At Gear a Boy our goal is to provide a reliable service for parents! With a variety of stimulating, educational, and safe toys for kids! Let us help you gear up your kids for any adventure!

Pioneer. Explorer. Learner. Dreamer. Doer. Your child can be any or all of them! 

We invite you to contact us to learn more about the incredible benefits of our safe toys and cutting-edge smart devices for kids!

For more information:

info@gearaboy.co.za | 011 791 2788 | Whatsapp (072) 446-4267 | ORDER ONLINE

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Source: https://thingstodowithkids.co.za/blog/ideas-keeping-your-kids-stimulated-entertained-holiday/