Bored Children

[smurfchops]

Not sure if this is the right thread, however, I am thinking ahead to Christmas (yes Christmas) when I have all my nieces and nephews over for the day. It is a complete nightmare as they get bored very quickly and run all over the house. I want to try to keep them to a minimum of rooms and buy games etc. Also thinking of getting a cheapie karaoke for them, any ideas where I can get one, what would I have to pay, what would I need to buy to go with it? Also good board games for ages eight to sixteen ... Yes feel sorry for me please ... I don't have a Nintendo, or a DVD player in the rooms I was thinking of using for the kids, do have a Video though. Any good videos so they don't get bored? They are all 'mature' TV-wise for their ages. So no kiddies videos -- they love fighting. ugh. Unfortunately, NOT having them is not an option, so we won't even go there.

[Plocket]

Well I can't help admiring you for thinking so far in advance, but I also hope it doesn't mean that the worry gets worse the closer Christmas comes.

I'm afraid I have no idea where you could get a cheap karaoke machine, but is that really necessary? How many children are we talking about?

Could you ask some of them to help with preparing the food you are going to serve?

If you have the time could you do a hide and seek game, hiding coloured sticks (or something else appropriate) around the house - the younger children get to find one colour in the easier places, and the older children get to find other colours in harder places.

Is there somewhere you could all go for a walk? If you have woods nearby give everyone a torch and have a spooky walk through the trees before bedtime, or if you live in a built up area couldn't you just go for a walk and admire all the Christmas lights?

I hope you get lots of ideas!

[fine,thanks]

this is june !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[lafrancaise]

Ah, planning for Xmas 6 months in advance must mean you're pretty stressed up about it.
Suggest they get sponsored by friends, neighbours etc for a 'Christmas sit still in silence' which will last say 30 minutes to an hour (up to you) all monies go to help children overseas (or whatever).
Also try the game Apples to Apples it's a really good funny game that all kids as well as adults like to play and for ages!!
Hope this takes some stress away.

[WendyS]

How many kids and what ages? Perhaps split them into two equal teams and have a jigsaw competition with two different puzzles set up on two different tables. Offer a reasonable cash prize to each member of the winning team who finishes their puzzle first. That should concentrate their minds !

[smurfchops]

Thanks all, ages are eight to 'thirteen going on 22'. I would rather have lots of games so they can just play in the other rooms, and watch videos etc without me having to entertain them ... Any more games, ABers ?? Gives me time to go car booting ....

[smurfchops]

Not car booting when they are playing games, car booting to stock up on games in the next six months !!

[lafrancaise]

Personally, I don't think you have anything to worry about as at that age they'll come equipped with their own games (games come on their phones) or manage to rig something up with the TV. On top of that, it being Christmas they'll be fascinated by their pressies.