Latest news with #kidsActivities
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Four ways to keep kids entertained over half-term by using flowers
KEEPING kids entertained in half-term can be tricky without spending shedloads of cash. But with flowers blooming in the garden and wild spaces, there are plenty of ways to use them. Try these ideas to keep little hands occupied cheaply . . . VERY CLAY-VER: A pack of air-drying clay is £2 from Hobbycraft and can be used for loads of craft projects. Roll it out into a 1cm-thick square slab, then find different flowers and plants for the children to press firmly into the clay. Remove them once the imprint is clear. Ferns, sticks or grass all make good prints. Leave the clay to dry then get the youngsters to paint the imprinted outlines of the plants and flowers. PETAL POWER: You can also make prints from flower on fabric, or paper, with the kids. Bright petals are best as they will stand out — try dandelions or any other wild blooms you find in the garden such as forget-me-nots. Cut an old cotton T-shirt into rectangles, then get the children to arrange the flowers on the material, having put some cardboard underneath to protect the surface you are working on. Use a wooden hammer or rolling pin to bash the flowers until you start to see the dye from petals coming through the fabric. Remove the flowers from the fabric and leave to dry. You could frame the finished pieces and keep or use them as a lovely homemade gift. BUNCH OF BLOOMS: This is a super- easy activity kids will love. Draw the outline of a vase on a piece of cardboard then punch small holes in the top with a pen. Ask kids to pick flowers and stick in the holes to make a fun craft work. FREEZE FLOWER: Pick a few pretty flowers and pop into ice-cube moulds. Fill with water and freeze. Pop out on to a tray for a great activity on a warm day. Children will enjoy trying to free the petals from the ice and stay cool. All prices on page correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability I didn't want to shell out loads for my wedding flowers so nabbed a £16 bargain from Dunelm - the quality's unreal Deal of the day GET snuggled up in bed or on the sofa with this marble print pink cuddle cushion. It's down from £21 to £6 at SAVE: £15 Cheap treat SWEETEN up a tea break with Tim Tam chocolate biscuits, £1.85 with a Clubcard at Tesco. Top swap FILL your home with the luxurious scent of white flowers with Diptyque's 600g tubereuse candle £168 at John Lewis. Or try Matalan's 850g red desire featuring sheer white florals, £9. SAVE: £159 Shop & save CLEAN away the day's grime using Simple refreshing facial wash. It's down from £5 to £2.50 at Boots. SAVE: £2.50 Hot right now TUCK in to two tapas and two cocktails for £20 at Las Iguanas. The deal is available all day every day, including weekends. PLAY NOW TO WIN £200 JOIN thousands of readers taking part in The Sun Raffle. Every month we're giving away £100 to 250 lucky readers - whether you're saving up or just in need of some extra cash, The Sun could have you covered. Every Sun Savers code entered equals one Raffle ticket.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Aldi is selling a £22.99 toy that's sure to keep kids entertained all summer, as parents insist it's ‘such a bargain'
IF you're looking for a cheap and easy way to keep your kids entertained all summer long, you need to head to your nearest Aldi. As the store has released a water and sand table that parents are declaring a "such a bargain". 4 4 4 4 Nichola took to the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK group on Facebook to share the budget buy, as she wrote alongside her pictures: "New water/sand table out at Aldi (special buy instore) £22.99." The waterfall beach table comes in two different colours - pink or blue - and contains a total of 27 pieces. And others in the comments said they'd also managed to pick one up from their local Aldi. "Just got this today, would recommend," one wrote. "It's bigger than I thought it would be and I have quite a tall 18 month old." "It's bigger than I thought too and comes with so many extra bits," another added. "Is there any other colours do you know?" a third asked. "It also comes in blue/green," someone else replied. Aldi is selling a cheap $4.49 item that will transform your garden into a colorful summer paradise "Bought this today. My 5 and 2 year old's absolutely loved it," another gushed. "Such a fantastic buy. "They did have it in a blue as well!" "Got mine today, bargain," someone else said. "Will you have a look for one of these in Aldi tomorrow please?" another wrote, tagging a friend. "They are usually around £40 so this is a bargain!" How to survive six weeks of school summer holidays IF you are struggling with the six week summer holidays, you've come to the right place... BATTLING BOREDOM: Despite hours of activities and playdates, if your kids are already complaining there's nothing to do, parenting expert Liat Hughes Joshi says: 'Don't feel you have to organise every second of the holidays. Kids benefit from boredom and learn to make their own fun. 'Boredom can trigger creative and imaginative play but you need to encourage kids to get used to not being told how to spend their time. 'Ride out the pleas of boredom. Counter it with comments such as, 'What do you think you could do?' and maybe have a list of 'I'm bored' activity ideas on the fridge.' SCREEN OVERLOAD: It's tempting during the holidays to rely on a digital babysitter but don't let them gawp their whole summer away in front of a screen. Liat says: 'It's unfair to expect older kids to power down but it's important to set some ground rules. 'Set family tech rules together. If you're often distracted by your phone, follow the rules too. Maybe tell the kids they aren't allowed any screen time until they've done set chores, some exercise, or a board game. 'Are there times when you'd like to ban screens completely? Perhaps during dinner or when they have friends over to visit. 'Tech is a battleground for parents, but you have to set boundaries. Stand firm and be prepared to be unpopular.' TOO MUCH TOGETHERNESS: You love your kids, but being with them 24/7 can be exhausting. Do not feel guilty if you need a bit of downtime. Liat says: 'If you're juggling work and household tasks as well as occupying the kids, it's normal to start feeling overwhelmed or jaded and in need of some peace. 'If you can't afford or don't want to send your kids to all-day camps, look for free kids' workshops so you can get on with jobs or have a break for a couple of hours. 'Seeking a spell of quiet every now and then doesn't make you a bad parent — in fact it will probably make you more positive and enthusiastic when you are with the kids.' SCHEDULING CONFLICT: Schedules can go out the window during holidays, but late nights and early mornings can mean tired and unhappy children. Dr Tamara Bugembe, paediatrician and founder of says: 'Children get grumpy, test boundaries and become challenging when routines are broken. 'Sticking to some kind of routine during the holidays is a good idea. 'We release hormones at different times of the day and when regular meal times and bed times are broken, it causes dips and peaks in mood. 'Holidays are about having fun but an early night once or twice a week will make everyone happier.' EXCESS ENERGY: Make sure kids get out in the fresh air to tire them out — and make them healthier and happier. Dr Bugembe says: 'Sunshine also tops up vital vitamin D levels which helps improve bone strength and energy levels in children. Our levels run low in winter so let the kids stock up in warmer weather. 'Letting them run around in shorts and a T-shirt is the best way to top up. Make sure they're wearing sun cream, get outside and have fun. 'Encourage them to try healthy habits such as cycling and walking. They'll hopefully get hooked and want to carry them on when the weather gets colder.' "This is perfect!" someone else said. "Bet they've sold out next time I go," another sighed. As someone else admitted they'd "got two this morning", another wrote: "It's lovely and such a bargain!" "They look so good!" someone else said. While another said they'd also spotted big bags of play sand in Aldi for just £3. "It's truly a steal so RUNNNN do not walk to Aldi," another raved. "This is an absolute must for toddlers and kids to with this summer." The release of the new Aldi buy comes after Google Trends revealed interest in 'outdoor toys' has increased by 20% since March. As well as keeping little ones busy, getting them to play with a toy in the garden means they're getting fresh air and making the most of the sunshine as well.
