I have 3 kids (2 school going) so it's a busy house when school holidays come around. It's also expensive, if I go out for the day anywhere costs are quadrupled and that's when the hubbie doesn't come. So I'm going to give you my top ideas / places / tips for keeping costs at bay.
1. Don't go anywhere!!! 'Yeah right like that's going to happen' I hear you say. But by setting up a few activities outside where they can get messy kids can be happy to stay at home the odd day.
Painting is perfect for this mostly because it's outside so it's not getting all over your furniture, etc and because it's something they are can do as a group rather than just 2 of them or on their own.
Dealz have a good range of craft bits if your kids like doing that. You can buy a mixed bag of paper, flowers, ribbon, etc for €1.49 and a bottle of glue for €1.49 and let them use their imaginations or with a little guidance you can get all your Christmas cards made :)
2. Check out Pinterest for things to do and make I know it sounds obvious but not everyone is a Pinner and it really is a fab place to start when you need ideas. Here's my page to get you started. I have a folder for Kids Crafts which is my goto when I need something.
Today I made moonsand from just flour and baby oil. Great stuff because it doesn't dry up and if they inevitably do put some in their mouth it's not the end of the world (not that I condoning eating it but let's be realistic here - it happens).
3. Look locally and nationally for free places to do day visits. We are lucky in this country that we are never far from somewhere to go for a good walk that everyone can enjoy be it up mountains, in the nearest OPW gardens, woodlands or boglands.
Heritage Ireland is a good starting spot where you can look at county by county and see what's out there. Also worth noting is the some OPW places are open free on the first Wednesday of the month too.
These are also great places to do Scavenger Hunts - give the kids a list (or pictures if they can't read yet) of things to find as you walk around. They can take photos of them, do drawings or bring them home.
4. Annual Membership Probably one or two of the most visited places in Ireland when you have kids is the Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park. For us (2 adults & 3 children) to visit either would cost the best part of €50 before we've seen anything, eaten anything or dare I say it visited the gift shop!!!
For €170 per year you can go as many times as you want to either or both of them as well as Belfast Zoo and some UK places. Last year I purchased the membership and we went lots (sometimes it felt like every week) so we definitely got our money's worth. And most importantly the kids love it.
5. Eating I know we have to feed them too!!!! Best option is picnic style and what kid doesn't love eating out on the grass or at a bench? So many stores now do sort of snack packs of stuff (salad, pasta, etc), bread rolls and multi pack of crisps and drinks. For less than €10 you can feed a family of 4 - cheaper than McD's!!!!
I hope this has given you a few ideas. Let me know how you get on and if you have any more suggestions xx
1. Don't go anywhere!!! 'Yeah right like that's going to happen' I hear you say. But by setting up a few activities outside where they can get messy kids can be happy to stay at home the odd day.Painting is perfect for this mostly because it's outside so it's not getting all over your furniture, etc and because it's something they are can do as a group rather than just 2 of them or on their own.
Dealz have a good range of craft bits if your kids like doing that. You can buy a mixed bag of paper, flowers, ribbon, etc for €1.49 and a bottle of glue for €1.49 and let them use their imaginations or with a little guidance you can get all your Christmas cards made :)
2. Check out Pinterest for things to do and make I know it sounds obvious but not everyone is a Pinner and it really is a fab place to start when you need ideas. Here's my page to get you started. I have a folder for Kids Crafts which is my goto when I need something.
Today I made moonsand from just flour and baby oil. Great stuff because it doesn't dry up and if they inevitably do put some in their mouth it's not the end of the world (not that I condoning eating it but let's be realistic here - it happens).
3. Look locally and nationally for free places to do day visits. We are lucky in this country that we are never far from somewhere to go for a good walk that everyone can enjoy be it up mountains, in the nearest OPW gardens, woodlands or boglands. Heritage Ireland is a good starting spot where you can look at county by county and see what's out there. Also worth noting is the some OPW places are open free on the first Wednesday of the month too.
These are also great places to do Scavenger Hunts - give the kids a list (or pictures if they can't read yet) of things to find as you walk around. They can take photos of them, do drawings or bring them home.
4. Annual Membership Probably one or two of the most visited places in Ireland when you have kids is the Zoo and Fota Wildlife Park. For us (2 adults & 3 children) to visit either would cost the best part of €50 before we've seen anything, eaten anything or dare I say it visited the gift shop!!!For €170 per year you can go as many times as you want to either or both of them as well as Belfast Zoo and some UK places. Last year I purchased the membership and we went lots (sometimes it felt like every week) so we definitely got our money's worth. And most importantly the kids love it.
5. Eating I know we have to feed them too!!!! Best option is picnic style and what kid doesn't love eating out on the grass or at a bench? So many stores now do sort of snack packs of stuff (salad, pasta, etc), bread rolls and multi pack of crisps and drinks. For less than €10 you can feed a family of 4 - cheaper than McD's!!!!
I hope this has given you a few ideas. Let me know how you get on and if you have any more suggestions xx
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