7 Activities For Single Parents To Keep The Kids Entertained

When you try to keep the kids entertained at home, it can sometimes be hard work. That’s why so many parents take the easy option and let the TV, game console, or the current fad of the moment do the hard work for them. 

But children need to be engaged and stimulated in other ways. Thankfully, there are countless activities that you can arrange which have the added benefit of teaching them how important it is to look after the environment. Here are our top 7 ideas for going green when you try to keep the kids entertained.

How to Keep the Kids Entertained

Plant a herb garden 

Most young children love doing anything with bugs, worms, and other creepy crawlies, so planting a garden is usually a popular activity. Some may not have much space, so an alternative is to plant herbs in a pot on your windowsill. 

Planting some herbs or any other kind of garden is an exciting world of discovery for kids. They are going to get super enthusiastic about seeing herbs start to sprout, and then watching it grow. It also teaches them about looking after something by feeding it, watering it, and tending to it often. 

Make natural play dough 

Kids love to use their imagination in artistic ways. They like creating different figures or shapes, and they absolutely adore the chance to make a bit of a mess. Teaching them to make their own eco-friendly play dough at home is much easier than most parents may realize. There’s plenty of recipes available online, so find one that works with what you have available. 

It’s also quite easy to dye your homemade playdough using natural ingredients, such as raspberries, beetroot, turmeric, blueberries, and rose petals or even oak tree bark. Creating your own playdough at home is a great way to teach kids how to have fun with things found in your backyard. You can even turn it into an ingredients treasure hunt for the kids. 

Organize a backyard treasure hunt

Children have a natural urge to explore everything around them, which can easily be satiated by an old fashioned scavenger hunt. Just remember to have them search for objects that are commonly found outdoors so that they won’t be frustrating or too difficult for them to find.

Split up the adults so there is one assigned to each small group of kids so that they can provide guidance, give them hints, or play some hotter or colder, while also keeping an eye on them. As long as it’s well thought out, a good treasure hunt will also give you an opportunity to teach them a few things about the outdoors.

Decorate the bathroom together

Children’s bathrooms should be fun as well as functional, so designing the layout together with them makes a lot of sense. It should be easy to use for all, but especially for children. Bath-time will then become a more enjoyable experience for them, while also saving you time and effort during clean-up. 

By including your kids in your bathroom design decisions, they’ll feel more included and involved, while also putting their own unique spin on everything. Let them choose some fun and engaging colors around the room, which will help turn bathroom activities into fun times that they’ll be sure to look forward to. 

Revive old clothes 

Besides saving some money, repurposing and reviving old clothes has a wealth of benefits. Using raggedy clothes for arts and crafts is an excellent way to teach them the importance of making the most out of what they have, while also showing them how fun recycling can be. 

Take those old t-shirts dad has lying at the back of his wardrobe and fashion them into a dress for a young girl or a quilted blanket for a boy. Not only will it look stylish, but it can also bring them closer together. For something that’s a little different for younger kids, you can also craft a handmade stuffed teddy bear or toy using old pairs of denim jeans. 

Clean out the garage (and make it a fun space)  

If you want your kids to have their own play area around your home, the garage is often the best place to start. If it’s currently only being used to store old junk or other unwanted stuff, it shouldn’t be too hard to transform it into a funky kids hangout. 

Start by removing any old or broken toys. Not only is it a great way to make space in the shed, but it also keeps their pile of toys closer to manageable. Any toys that still function can be given to charity, which gives you the opportunity to teach them the importance of looking out for those who are less fortunate. If the budget allows, you can always surprise them with newer toys they want anyway. Once you create their own space that was otherwise occupied by old toys, they’ll really appreciate it. 

Make your own beauty products 

For an activity that will entertain children for hours, an at-home kids spa is a great idea. Set up a little spa table with all the items they need for a homemade face mask and pamper. The best part of making your own beauty products for a day spa is that you can join in the relaxing fun as well. 

A homemade face mask coupled with some fresh cucumber slices will replenish and nourish the skin. Not only will it make them feel like a million dollars, but it will also leave their skin with a fresh and beautiful glow. 

Any one of these activities can be just as fun as they are educational, and seeing as our children are the next generation who will inherit our planet, it seems only right that we encourage them to see our world through greener and more eco-friendly eyes. Namaste.