12 screen-free hacks for a fun half term (whatever the weather)
Forecast ruining your plans? These rainy day ideas for kids will have you sorted. Plus, the best vacuum cleaners and Nussaibah Younis’s shopping secrets
February gloom and drizzle will continue over the half-term break, which is bad news for all the children off school … and even worse news for their parents.
So to help you survive the week and keep the kids entertained, we’ve rounded up the best ways to keep them busy on rainy days, get them outdoors (and keep them as dry as possible) and, if you’re going away, make long journeys run smoothly.
For rainy days
If you can’t face leaving the house, there are lots of ways to keep the children busy without them being glued to a screen. Parenting expert Sally J Hall suggests getting creative in her guide to keeping kids entertained during the holidays.
“Buy a cheap scrapbook and use it to record memories. Stick in souvenirs: bus and train tickets, sweet packets, museum leaflets, things we found, pressed flowers, postcards – anything to remind us of places we visited,” she writes. Or she recommends getting hands-on with baking, not only to build their food prep skills, but also hopefully to make some delicious treats. This baking set is suitable for ages 5+ and comes with the tools needed to bake and decorate cupcakes and biscuits.
If you want something less messy, then board and card games can provide hours of entertainment, with little cleanup required. Hall recommends Blokus (ages 7+), where players “must get as many of their coloured blocks on to the board as possible, using their cunning to block other players”. She also recommends Lego Monkey Palace (ages 10+) as a fun game that improves building and creativity skills. For a card game that will get everyone engaged, Uno Show ‘em No Mercy (ages 7+) is a more savage take on the classic game … be warned, it may result in sulking.
For something to get them active while indoors, why not unleash their inner Marty Supreme with a set that will convert your dining table into a ping-pong table?
For getting outside
If the weather lets up, get the kids outside and excited about a walk with a nature trail journal. Search for plants and animals along the journey and record them for an educational, screen-free activity. And if it doesn’t? Paddy Maddison recommends a kids puddle suit in his guide to getting kids outside, so you can seize the day, whatever the weather. If you enjoy running or cycling, try a two-in-one bike trailer and stroller so you can keep up your fitness routine while getting the kids involved.
For long journeys
If you’re getting away during the break, then parent-of-two Rebecca Goodman’s guide to surviving long family journeys might be a godsend. It’s filled with ideas for avoiding chaos, such as a reusable sticker pad to keep their hands busy and a mini Yoto player to keep them entertained with audiobooks. If you’re taking a long train journey and manage to get a table, a lively game of Dobble (ages 6+) is sure to do the trick.
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This week’s picks
Shark FacialPro Glow + DePuffi review: a skincare splurge that’s (almost) worth the cost
The best vacuum cleaners for hard floors, carpet and pet hair – tested
The best walking pads and under-desk treadmills, tried and tested
The best coffee machines for every home and budget, tested by our expert
How I Shop with Nussaibah Younis: ‘These make me 60% less likely to murder my neighbours’
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Editor’s pick
Inspired by the Winter Olympics to hit the slopes? Whether you’re a downhill champ-in-the-making, going on your first ski trip, or just like a retro ski jacket, check out our fashion expert (and keen skier) Peter Bevan’s best affordable ski-wear picks.
Hannah Booth
Editor, the Filter
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In case you missed it …
Does it feel like it’s rained every day this year? That’s probably because it has, at least in some parts of the UK. But don’t let the weather get you down. With a good waterproof jacket (from our pick of the best for women and for men) and a sturdy umbrella (as tested on the windiest spot in the Peak District), there’s no reason you need to be trapped inside. You don’t even have to let it ruin your outfit, with our fashion writer’s guide to looking good in wet weather. (And what if you want to hibernate? Well, we have a guide for that too.)
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Get involved
Sometimes, a simple tool, gadget or product makes your life that little bit better: a pair of tweezers that actually work; a garlic plate that’s easy to use and clean; or a truly joyful water bottle. What makes your everyday 10% better? Let us know by replying to this newsletter or emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com.