3 things to do when there’s nothing to do
Whether it’s a rainy day, that ‘boring’ hour before dinner and bath, or you’re in desperate need of some kid-friendly entertainment to carve out a little you time - I’ve got you covered with these simple, low-cost ideas!
Ah yes, the classic “What can we do now, Mum?” If you’re anything like me, you’ve heard this question countless times. It’s the parenting equivalent of staring at your wardrobe before a Saturday night out and thinking, “What do I wear when I have nothing to wear?”
While it might feel like you’re running out of options, there’s always something to do. You just need to tap into your creativity and work with what you’ve got.
Coming up with activities to keep kids entertained (and away from screens) doesn’t have to cost money or require a lot of space, equipment, or patience. Whether you’re a parent who loves to play or one who finds it tricky (no judgment here!), these ideas are easy to set up and great for almost any household.
So, let’s dive into the “parental pooling of easy-to-do activities”. I promise they’re simple, effective, and won’t demand too much of your time or energy.
1. Cooking with a twist
I know what you’re thinking – “Oh, how original. Cooking? Groundbreaking!” But hear me out.
This isn’t your average baking session. Think of it as the parenting version of the old TV show Surprise Chef! with Aristos Papandroulakis. (Anyone else loved that show?)
This version of cooking is all about creativity and spontaneity—no recipe books allowed! Here’s how it works:
- Grab the basics. Start with staples like flour, eggs, milk, or oats.
- Let the kids choose 3–5 ingredients. These can be anything from dried fruit, cereal, or yoghurt to popcorn, pretzels, or honey.
- Go rogue! Let their little chef minds take over as they mix and match flavours.
Of course, if you’re worried about wasting ingredients or ending up with a tuna-and-Vegemite cupcake (yikes!), pre-select 10 suitable options and let them choose from that.
Why this works
- It’s fun and unpredictable. Kids love the freedom to experiment and explore new combinations.
- It’s buildable. Bake today, but tomorrow you could try cooking the mixture in a pan or freezing it in ice block trays.
- It’s educational. Teach them about flavours, textures, and cooking basics—like how eggs bind ingredients or how self-raising flour makes things rise.
- It’s rewarding. Watching their creation rise or bubble is exciting, and they’ll feel so proud when you praise their efforts.
Plus, it’s practical! Their creation can double as morning or afternoon tea – and maybe even breakfast the next day. Parental multitasking at its finest!
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2. Memory game
Moving on from the kitchen, here’s a quick and engaging classic: a game of Memory. It’s simple, fun, and you can adapt it to include an educational twist.
How to play
- Collect 5–10 household items.
- Lay them out on a table or the floor and let the kids memorise them.
- Ask the kids to close their eyes while you remove one item.
- When they look again, they have to guess what’s missing.
It’s surprisingly harder than you’d think and works well with all kinds of objects!
Creative twists
Use the game as a chance to teach them something new. For example:
- Mail: Explain what letters and stamps are for.
- Salt and pepper: Kids see these daily but may not know their purpose!
- Old CDs or albums: Take a walk down memory lane and share stories about your favourites.
- Car keys: Talk about why they’re so important (especially if you’re forever losing them).
- Vegetables: Teach them how certain veggies grow or where they come from.
- Recycling materials: Introduce the concept of sorting plastic, paper, and other materials.
This game is as versatile as your imagination. You can tailor it to your child’s age, interests, and your own household items.
3. Search & find with post-it notes
This last activity is more of a distraction hack for when you need to buy yourself a few minutes, whether it’s to answer an important email, cook dinner, or feed the baby.
How it works
- Grab a pack of colourful Post-it notes (the classic yellow, green, orange, and pink ones are perfect).
- Stick 4 of each colour around the house.
- Challenge the kids to find and collect all their assigned colours.
- Ask them to stick their retrieved notes on the fridge.
Want to level it up? Write a simple challenge on each Post-it. For example:
- Find something red that starts with the letter P.
- Find something in the house with two E’s in the word.
This game is endlessly adaptable and a great way to sneak in some learning while keeping them entertained. Best of all, it’s inexpensive, quick to set up, and easy to explain.
Final thoughts
When you’re faced with the dreaded “What can we do now?”, remember that it doesn’t take much to keep kids engaged. The key is to get a little creative, work with what you have, and embrace simplicity.
Whether it’s cooking with a twist, playing a round of Memory, or setting up a Post-it treasure hunt, these activities are fun, effective, and don’t require much from you in terms of effort or expense.
The next time boredom strikes, you’ll be armed and ready – and who knows, you might even enjoy these activities as much as the kids!
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