Summer Holiday crisis?

It is not worth giving them the `In my day we did not have smartphones/laptops/computer games` speech as that will create hostility towards finding a solution. I tried to think what my parents/grandparents told me and it was probably along the lines of simple games outside that they had made up themselves. My mother was a teenager during WWII so the onus then was even more on creating your own fun. Another `No no` is asking them `What do you want to do?` The focus is on you to calmly come up with a  cost effective, entertaining ,novel idea that will keep them amused for a couple of hours!

You are best off thinking of something the night before so that when you present them with your amazing idea you can hit them with it when they have not quite woken up the following morning. If they do not like the suggestion, at least the onus for coming up with a solution has now turned vaguely in their direction.

My best idea when most other activities have been rejected or done before is to set a `mission`.This is normally completed in a car (but could be done on foot) with the intent purposes of tracking something down agreed before you leave the house. I guess it could be educational, but it could also be locating a hard to find food that your child likes...or try the Xmas holidays one of deciding which house has the best lights display. This is great fun and introduces an element of competition too. Your child will more likely`own` this idea if they come up with the goal of the mission.

What about your treasure hunts I hear you say!...I thought you would never ask.

The on-line treasure hunts are suitable for children of all ages inc the hard to please 14-15 year olds who like to be the first to find the answers. For a longer period of time try the driving treasure hunts which last a full morning or afternoon.

Finally, every Thursday during this Summer holidays and the first couple in September there are treasure hunts in Stanmer Park(Brighton) as part of their Kidsfest. These will take you a couple of hours during a Thursday morning and can be booked in advance at www.stanmerhourse.co.uk/events.

so..good luck, and have good fun!