Page 8 - Dainfern_Precinct_Living_Issue_5_2025

ESTATE MATTERS
ESTATE MATTERS
HOME FRONT
HOLIDAY SANITY

Smart Ways to Keep Kids Busy at Home or in the Estate

B Y NIC OLA KILL OPS

he school holidays are often met with Here’s a deeper dive into what that can look a play “restaurant,” “hospital,” or
a mix of excitement and quiet dread. like for kids, tweens, and teens, with layered “school” — let them be the adult
TFor kids, it’s a break from structure. ideas that work across different home for a change.
For parents? It’s often a scramble to setups. • Teddy Olympics – host events like
balance work, home life, and the constant spoon races, long jump (measured
chorus of “There’s nothing to do!” Whether FOR KIDS (AGES 5–9) with string), and balance
you’re working from home, relying on a Structure + Story + Sensory Play beams for toys. Let them be the
nanny or au pair, or trying to piece together Kids in this age group need predictability commentator.
a daily plan between meetings and errands, and stimulation, but they also tire quickly. • Creative Quiet Time – blanket
the challenge is real. Short bursts of activity, a mix of creative and forts, audiobooks, and a few fidget
physical play, and a simple daily anchor (like toys for a daily reset.
The trick isn’t to schedule every hour or a “morning job” or “story time”) go a long
fill the calendar with costly outings — it’s way. Optional Support Roles:
to create a flexible, resourceful rhythm at If there’s a nanny or au pair helping during
home or within your estate. A rhythm that Holiday Toolkit Ideas: the day, consider:
feels doable, offers variety, and keeps • A craft box with scissors, glue, • Sharing a printed “theme of the
everyone’s sanity (mostly) intact. coloured paper, felt-tip pens, and day” idea sheet each Monday
recyclables • Encouraging structured free play
• A printed weekly planner with (e.g. “Play outside for 30 mins,
stickers or drawing space then colour time”)
• Access to safe audio stories (e.g.
Storyberries or Spotify Kids) FOR TWEENS (AGES 10–13)
• A visual routine chart (morning / Autonomy + Purpose + Curiosity
afternoon / evening flow) This age group often gets overlooked —
they’re too old for kiddie crafts but not quite
Engaging Activities: independent enough to structure their own
• “Box City” Construction – use days. What they really need is challenge,
cereal boxes, milk cartons, and ownership, and options.
toilet rolls to build a city across the
lounge floor. Add matchbox cars or Holiday Toolkit Ideas:
LEGO people for fun. • Notebook or bullet journal for goal
• Pretend Play Kits – repurpose old tracking or creative ideas
clothes and kitchen utensils into • Free access to creative platforms

6 DPL issue 5 2025