The afternoon has arrived, and the long day at work, school, or kindergarten is over. It's as if a new day begins when the clock strikes the early afternoon hours. Both you and your children are running low on energy, so it's time to find peace and new energy. But what should fill the next few hours before dinner is on the table? What can you come up with that gives your child a break, entertains them, and perhaps gives you an hour or two to unwind after a long day?
We all know it can be a challenge to come up with leisure activities that both engage and provide your child with the right amount of relaxation. After a long day at school or kindergarten, energy might not be at its highest. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities to make the afternoon both educational and fun. What works best, of course, depends on your child – but there are several paths to take.
In this blog post, we delve into how you can make the afternoon go by and offer some great suggestions for what can entertain your children in the late hours of the day.
Indoor vs. outdoor activities?
When the afternoon begins, it can be difficult to predict how the energy level of both you and your child will be. Have you both had a long and exhausting day, or are you fresher than usual at this time? Not all days are the same, so it's optimal if you are prepared for both scenarios.
If you therefore have both indoor and outdoor activities up your sleeve, it is also much easier to get started with the last part of the day. If the sun is shining and the children want to be outside, then outdoor activities can be a good opportunity to get some air, stretch your legs, and expend energy in a healthy way. Fresh air and physical movement help balance a long day indoors and can help improve mood. At the same time, outdoor time can create a sense of freedom and adventure that children love.
Conversely, it may also be necessary to take a step back and find something calmer if energy is low or the weather isn't cooperating. Here, indoor activities can be an option to create a more relaxed and cozy atmosphere where your children can find peace and at the same time stimulate their creativity and concentration in other ways.
By keeping both options open, you can more easily find a good way to spend the afternoon. This flexibility makes it easier to adapt the day and ensure that it is both pleasant and developmental for the whole family.
The Advantage of Leisure Activities for Parents
An entertained child is not only good for the child but certainly also for you as a parent. When you provide a leisure activity at home, both you and your child get a well-deserved break from the day's hustle and bustle. For the children, it means they get the opportunity to engage in something fun and developmental while getting a breather. But there are also clear advantages for you as a parent.
When the children are occupied with an activity, you get time to relax, manage practical tasks, or maybe even get a moment for yourself. It can be time to read a book, prepare dinner in peace, or perhaps take a few minutes to reflect on the day.
Leisure activities at home give you the necessary flexibility to balance your own needs and tasks while still ensuring that your child is entertained. It makes it possible to get things done without feeling that you constantly have to juggle between work, tasks, and childcare. Moreover, leisure activities can be a way to strengthen the relationship with your child, as it provides an opportunity for shared time or a good conversation while you are close.
So it's not just for the children's sake that it's a good idea to have leisure activities planned. Finding a way where you can find peace in busy days is also extremely important.
Good leisure activities for the children
After a long day of school, kindergarten, or work, it can be difficult to come up with activities that both engage and entertain the children. Therefore, we have gathered five fun and educational activities that can both challenge children's imagination and at the same time give you a little peace to manage the day's practical tasks. From building imaginative universes with wooden toys from Crateit to jumping on the trampoline. There is something for everyone – both indoors and outdoors. You can find our 5 suggestions below
1. Playing with wooden toys from Crateit
Wooden toys from Crateit are a really good leisure activity for the children. With the various toy universes that you can get at Crateit, there is something for every child. The toys enhance children's creativity and motor skills. The wooden toys are designed so that children can color them as they like. It is their own imagination that guides them. This activity keeps the children busy and entertained, while you can do what you want. A really good suggestion for a good leisure activity for the children.
2. Ball games
By ensuring that you have various ball games in the house, you ensure that there is always an opportunity for fun physical activity. Ball games enhance children's coordination, motor skills, and teamwork skills. They can often play alone or with siblings. You can ensure that you have a selection of different balls, such as a soccer ball, basketball, handball, etc. That way, there are more options depending on what the children feel like.
3. Building with LEGO
Building with LEGO can be a really good activity for the children after school or kindergarten. By assembling blocks, children can create their own fantasy worlds, which both challenge their concentration and develop their spatial understanding. It is also an activity that keeps them entertained indoors while you can take care of other household tasks or relax for a short moment.
4. Trampoline
Trampoline jumping is a fantastic way to get children to expend energy. It strengthens their balance, coordination, and muscles, while also providing lots of fun and exercise. It is an activity that is both physically challenging and entertaining. It is also an activity that children can entertain themselves with while you maybe read a book and keep an eye out.
5. Puzzles
Puzzles are a quiet and focused activity that both challenges the brain and gives a sense of achievement when the puzzle is completed. It keeps the children calm and occupied and can improve their concentration, patience, and problem-solving skills. Another good suggestion for what you can get the children started with in the afternoon.
Conclusion
The afternoon is an important time of the day when both you and your children need a break. By having leisure activities that both engage and provide calm, you can create a good balance between play and relaxation. Whether you choose to play with wooden toys, jump on the trampoline, or find a quiet corner for a puzzle, there are many opportunities to make the afternoon both educational and fun. The most important thing is to find activities that suit both the children's needs and your own, so the whole family can get something out of the last hours before dinner.
