Well the weather was forecast to be rainy and cold over half term and after the excess of Christmas money was quite tight. Half term loomed and I was racking my brains about how to keep the kids happy when we were going to be spending quite some time indoors.
Luckily Flora stepped in and sent me a copy of their family fun guide and a boredom busting basket of craft and baking goodies to accompany it.
The Flora family fun guide was written by parenting expert Tanith Carey (author of How to be an Amazing Mum When You Just Don’t Have the Time and Taming the Tiger Parent) I have read Tanith’s wonderful books and she is a big believer in making life easy for parents whilst giving kids a great time, she is also a big advocate of playtime!
The boredom busting basket we were sent included 3 crafts and 2 bakes Each activity needs no more than five things that you should have at home, and took no more than 15 minutes to prepare.
We started with baking and made some raisin and cinnamon cookies . So easy for Annalise (my 7 year old ) to do nearly all by herself as the Flora butterly spread so easily and everything just went into one bowl before being mixed up. These were delicious and we put a few aside for Grandpa’s birthday, took some to our VERY grateful neighbour and happily munched the rest!
They were so buttery and yummy we will definitely be making them again!
Next day we tried our hand at dragon making (well it was supposed to be a crocodile but it was definitely more dragon-like) We loved that this used an egg box. There’s nothing quite as thrifty as crafting from the recycling box! Yes we ended up with gluey hands and a rather messy kitchen but oh we had so much fun and Lise was SO proud of her creation.
ROARRR!
So what else did we get up too?
Well we made Grandpa and Lucy long hair (my favourite project) So simple; just glue buttons, wool and a funky odd sock. Love these two to pieces.
We had such a giggle playing with them and making up stories and we even put on a puppet show for Lise’s big brother.
Next day we did a bit more baking and this time we made some lovely tasty, easy-peasy cupcakes.
A few of these also made it into Grandpa’s birthday basket (but not all -we had to taste test a few right?) The Flora buttery made them so easy and quick to mix up and they tasted light and creamy. They really were delicious.
The Flora family fun guide proved a big hit! So lovely to have simple, low or no expense ideas that required only a few bits and bobs you probably would have lying around your house. I liked that they didn’t take ages and you didn’t have to be particularly skilled in baking or crafting to get fab results.
We did try to make pasta jewellery and covered our pasta in food colouring. Sadly however we left it outside to dry and the rain washed the colours away.
It was a pasta-disaster but it made us laugh!
The big hit of the week from the guide has to have been the den building. Such a classic play activity that kids have loved forever. So glad it was in the activity guide…. my kids haven’t made one of these for awhile. It was so much fun they even left a guard dog up to mind it when we went in the other room for for tea!
Thank you Flora we had an absolutely brilliant half term crafting and baking, giggling and making.
Do take a look at the Flora website it has some brilliant ideas for family activities. My current favourite is this paper flower crafting post from Chris Mosler.
I know where to look for inspiration next half term!
Looks like lots of fun, I should get my girls to make sock puppets, they would have a lot of fun with those. Mich x
Michelle Twin Mum recently posted..Bursting with joy in London
Oh I had to groan at the “pasta-disaster”!
It’s funny my kids are completely in to den building in the house at the moment. My front room is currently a series of tunnels and tents created with blankets, cushions and chairs. According to LMC it’s her doll’s house. According to Master C it’s a car park for his police cars and dustbin lorry! I do love children’s imaginations.
(And completely love Chris’ paper flowers. I’m desperate to have a go at these myself!)
Penny Carr recently posted..My local oasis of calm #BetterPlaces
Pasta disaster! I’m still chuckling. Love this post Becky, so many great and simple ideas – exactly the kind of of thrifty but fun things that help pass the days during half term. My little guy LOVES to bake as well – those cupcakes and cookies look super delicious, i think we’ll have to give them a shot. xx
Ruth recently posted..The Babysitter
It’s so hard when the weather is poor at half term! Looks like you found some great solutions. Crikey those cookies look amazing!
Amanda recently posted..3 Teeth Friendly Recipes for Kids : BRITA
Such a wonderful variety of activities and ideas – it’s brilliant! I particularly like those sock puppets and den building is always the best – my 15 yo and 9yo made one in the sitting room last week, they don’t grow out of it for a loooooong time! Thanks so much for featuring my paper flowers, don’t those colours just zing?!
Chris at Thinly Spread recently posted..Banana Pancakes with Caramel Sauce – Cooking with Kids
Your creativity never ceases to amaze me Becky, what wonderful half term memories 🙂
I have to admit that I always get a bit twitchy with crafts …. I have never recovered from a glitter disaster some years ago but this looks great fun.
My girls LOVE baking, so that would have been a big winner with them!
Donna @ Little Lilypad Co recently posted..Put down the technology, pick up a book this half term.
That definitely looks like it was a huge success and a lot of fun.
Pinkoddy recently posted..Real Life Measuring
Mmm those cookies and cakes look fabulous. Looks like you had a magical half term full of memories despite the weather. x
Liz Burton recently posted..My Better Place – Flitwick Wood
Those cookies look amazing and I love the sock puppets. I remember making one when I was 11 or 12 and having to recreate a character from Goethe’s Faust. Not as colourful as yours, but still a lot of fun x
Carolin recently posted..Things to do in London at Easter
What a wonderful way to spend half term! When it is cold it seems so easy to let the kids have extra screen time, but a few easy to plan activities are so much better
Nikki Thomas recently posted..Family Fun in and around Basildon