Keeping Little Hands Busy – By Shelby Thomas

As kids are getting more and more shrewd, these days it’s hard to think on your feet and find fun things to do that keeps them tuned in. Here are some handy ideas to get crafty and creative with your Little Ones:

1) Gift-Making
Children love to make something extra special for a friend, parent or sibling. There are so many ways to engage in this activity; why not try making friendship bracelets together (kits widely available from toy shops or online at sites such as www.play.com or www.amazon.co.uk) or how about putting together your own scene with modelling clay (www.toyday.co.uk does a pack of air-drying clay for only £3.99)?
By making something for the purpose of giving it gives the activity a sense of purpose and is also extra exciting!

2) Learn Some Music!
You can get so many affordable baby/toddler instruments that you could have the whole band in your living room if you wanted to! Music can also help in the development of sensory co-ordination and aids the memory. More importantly, most kids love to make noise so they’ll be highly amused! www.jacktedanddolly.co.uk does some fantastic little sets from Percussion sets to Jingle Sticks and at really affordable prices.
Alternatively ‘Musical Bumps’ offer music classes for babies and toddlers. Based in Kings Hill, Kent they are local and can be contacted via their website: http://www.musicalbumps.com/contact-us/

3) Scrapbooking
Grab a big photo album, some kid-safe scissors and some glue! Scrapbooking is such a good way for you to communicate with your child, preserve memories from a young age and you can even encourage them to write a couple of captions for extra expression.
Scrapbook Sisterz are based in Rainham, Kent and have a fantastic array of supplies, workshops and articles (http://www.scrapbooksisters.co.uk/).

4) Cook Up a Storm!
It might be a little bit of an obvious option but there are so many ways to involve your kids in cookery other than baking a few fairy cakes. Cookies Kitchen is a mobile kitchen which provides classes for all ages (from Junior/Mini Cookies). Peruse around their website and see for yourself: www.cookieskitchen.co.uk.
Other than paying for cooking classes, this is an activity you can do every single day as you prepare the family meals. Kids get a little bit grubby, they get involved mixing it all up or folding in ingredients they haven’t seen or heard of before; it’s a treat for everyone. Why not throw a dinner party?

5) Kite Flying
Let’s go vintage! There are so many places in Kent where you can happily wile away the day flying your kite with your child. Popular sites are in the Kennington area or on the beach. S2AS (www.s2as.com) offer kite lessons and have a store just a stroll away from Camber Beach where you can book lessons or just purchase your kite. They do other lessons too, including kite surfing. Visit their website which is packed with info, contact details and pricing.