No camp or vacation plans during school breaks? No worries! I've got a go-to list fabulous activities and outings to do with kids to keep them busy and you organized (and maybe even tire them out enough to go to bed early!).
Swimming. Many city pools have FREE family swim times during school breaks. Physical activity and free go well together n'est pas?
Public libraries. Heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer the library is a great family destination. (Note to self: sign up for baby reading time)
Pet store. Oooh puppies, kittens, spiders and rats. It's kinda like going on a trip to the zoo but free.
Swap kids. Host a playdate at your place (boardgames anyone?) and then have your friend host the kids. It gives each of you a kid time-out (and other kids are usually good entertainment).
Get Out! Summer -> playgrounds. Winter -> sledding. Whatever the season, get outdoors and get play.
Be a tourist in your city. Visit a museum, science centre or art gallery. Many have special discount times so be sure to check websites when planning your trip.
B a sk8ter! Summer -> roller skate. Winter -> ice skate. TIP: consignment shops are good places to get deals on gently used skates at a decent price.
Movies. Movies are easy (and a treat). Go to the theatre, watch on demand at home or borrow from the public library.
Cook. Have the kids make a list, grocery shop and make lunch. You have to eat anyway so why not make it an activity for the kids?!
Computer time. "Mom can I go on the computer?" is often heard in my house (and it's a treat when I relent and say yes). And I have youtube issues after the time my kids found annoying orange on youtube (and yes, he's annoying). Here are my kid site recommendations (no annoying fruit of any kind)...
Have a favourite family activity to share? Add it in the comments. We all need a few new ideas to make school breaks organized.
We all thinks we are DONE holiday gift shopping. Then we do our stocking stuffer inventory or say yes to a Christmas Day drop-in and realize we are a present or two short. Here are some easy kid gift ideas to keep the kids busy (and out of your hair).
TIP: Wrap an extra kid present (like gloves) and put it un-tagged under the tree. That way when a surprise kid visitor pops by you can - so Martha-like - produce a gift just for them.
Pancakes. Yummy, maplefantastic, goodness. Pancakes are a special treat for my kids (because I hardly ever make them – the bowls, the pan, the spills…my life is too busy for pancakes). THUNDERBOLT!: Someone invented ready to serve Two-Bite pancake bites. Yes, friends it is true…
Made from scratch, buttermilk pancakes from those darling people who make Two-Bite brownies (which if you come to my house – you will find on the right hand side of the snack cupboard. Always). I like those Two-Bite people.
So did I ever tell you the time I tried to make two bite pancakes for the kids myself? - (it was after a trip to Germany and the kids were craving good ol’ Canadian pancakes) I mixed. I poured. I flipped. I handed out. I threw in the compost because they didn’t like it. #FAIL
Enter the Two-Bite people and their pancakes. Easy and yummy (the pancakes – not the people – I don’t know if the people are either easy or yummy and really…it’s none of my business). Whether the kids are sitting at the kitchen table or snacking en route to Karate class – Two-Bite pancake bites are the perfect size for little fingers (and mouths). Now, I will say they are sweet (the syrup is baked right in! oh yum) but I expect sweet from a pancake.
I let my kids have as many Two-Bite pancake bites as they have hands (one likes the Morning Maple flavour whereas my chocoholic child prefers the Chocolate Chip flavour).
Kid: “How many can I have?” Me: “How many hands do you have?” Kid: “2” Me: “Then you can have 2” (between the Two-Bite portion control and my kid trickery we’ve got consumption down pat).
I really like the idea of having these on a brunch table (you know when you have a mix of adults and kids - you never know what everyone will eat?). Put them (right out of the package or warmed in the microwave) between the croissants and fruit for a nibbly everyone will like.
Or put them in a reusable container for school sweet treat (snack #3 at our school).
And I LOVE LOVE this idea: a Two-Bite pancake bite on a fruit skewer!
Or have a backwards breakfast-for-dinner night where you start with a Two-Bite pancake bite, move on to sliced apples and finish with toast and eggs! (my kids adore crazy dinner night).
Two-Bite pancake bites and a movie night.
Two-Bite pancake bites after the kids go to bed night. (Ok, I digress).
What I’m saying here people, is that maplefantastic pancake goodness is no longer out of menu for the busy family on a weekday (or weekend). And don’t we all deserve a little more goodness in our lives?
This month five lucky mummies are going to enjoy breakfast bliss with a T-Fal Melody 2 Dolce Gusto coffee maker (value $95) and $45 worth of Two-Bite® products including the all-new Pancake Bites! Click here to win 1 of 5 prize packs from Two-Bite® Pancake Bites!
This blog is proudly sponsored by our friends at Two-Bite Pancakes Bites.
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