In case you didn’t know, today is Lammas Day. It’s a festival which celebrates everything nature brings us and it’s a great way to get your kids into all things natural and give them some interesting activities to keep them occupied this summer.
Lammas Day is the first harvest festival of the year. As well as celebration it’s also a time for meditation and reflection (I know I could definitely use it!)
Anyway, it got me thinking about activities I could give the kids to do instead of them sitting in front of the computer or the television. I’d much rather have them outside in the fresh air. One idea I came up with was to get some cheap plant pots, and a few seeds and get the kids to start their own little garden on the patio. They love getting messy so I knew they’d enjoy shovelling in the compost and getting their fingers dirty. I also thought it would be good for them to learn how to grow something for themselves and see where food comes from. Teaching them to look after something (even if it’s just some runner beans) is an important lesson in responsibility. Or perhaps, I can install Swing Sets and Playsets in the garden area where they can spend time together, create memories, and stay away from the gadgets. This could allow them to take a fresh breath of air every now and then.
However, if the weather’s not so good and we have to stay indoors, I thought it might be fun to make smoothies. I’ve recently bought a smoothie maker (trying to be a bit healthier!) and it’s a good way to get the kids to eat their fruit and veg.
Most kids would turn their nose up at vegetables like spinach or broccoli, but if you mix in some tasty fruit and yoghurt you can make something which looks good, tastes good and you can make sure the kids are getting their vitamins!
If you want to get crafty, why not add continue the fruit and vegetable theme? Making a paper mache fruit bowl is really easy. All you need is a balloon, some tissue paper and some PVA glue – easy!
The seeds from pumpkins or melons can also be used to make bracelets and necklaces. Wash the seeds and paint them different colours. Then just take some string and a needle and thread the seeds on.
These are just a few ideas to keep the kids busy this weekend. You never know, I might even get a little time to myself!
