They're Home!
Tips for surviving School Break when you don't Go Away
We can’t all be fortunate enough to take a vacation when the school system does. Whether you have one child at home or a brood, you’ll be looking for some ideas to keep them constructively entertained this school break.
Kids love to cut, glue, and create! This is the time to embark on crafts projects that are a 
bit more complex than usual. Activities such as papier mache which must be done in stages over several days are good choices.
If you have a range of ages to deal with, little ones can be put in their high chair to paint with water or fingerpaint and work right alongside older children. A trip to your neighbourhood toy store or a browse of our Create & Build category will turn up lots of crafty ideas to keep kids creating all week long.
Look for activities that can involve the entire family - a new board game or a family puzzle. Family Puzzles have three different sizes of pieces so that all family members can work at their own level. Parents or grandparents place all the small pieces while youngsters place all the large pieces. All pieces lead to the medium size pieces in the centre of the puzzle – a great way to spend quality time together-having fun.
Another rewarding family project is planning and creating a home made puppet show. Involving a variety of skills – language, arts and crafts and imagination - all ages can participate at their own level and have an opportunity to shine. 
Spend all week planning, creating puppets and rehearsing. Scripts can incorporate children's own ideas or build around favourite stories and happenings. If you prefer, ready made scripts are available at your local library. End the week by inviting grandparents or other friends and family to the grand finale performance. Be sure to make your own invitations and tickets.
Puppet theatres can be easily devised with bed sheets and the like but if you prefer the ready made variety you will find them as well as a selection of innovative and engaging puppets here at LearningToys.ca or at any of our affiliated stores.
Anyway you slice it - the key to having a great school break is keeping kids busy and engaged.
