Eastlife Spring 2021

LITTLE EAST
With another national lockdown imposed earlier in the year and
some restrictions still in place, it has been difficult for everyone
to make Easter plans. Hopefully we’ll be able to at least enjoy
walks in the countryside and trips to local parks, but just in case
we have put together 10 things to do at home with the family
this Easter.
Why not host a virtual tea party? Invite friends and family to
join you online via Zoom or Skype, with a cup of tea in hand
and a slice of cake. It’s a great way to catch up when you can’t
meet up.
Organise an Easter egg hunt either around the house or in your
garden. Plan ahead and prepare some clues that little kids and
big kids alike can follow to find their favourite chocolate. Hiding
places can be easier for smaller children and more challenging
for older ones.
Have a hot chocolate and movie night. Stock up on hot
chocolate powder, milk, marshmallows, cream and sprinkles
when you next visit the supermarket. Then pick a film and settle
in for the afternoon. Great Easter themed family films include
‘Peter Rabbit’ or ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. If it’s just
you and your other half and the children are in bed, watch
‘Chocolat’ or an old classic ‘Easter Parade’.
No doubt the children will miss meeting up with friends this
Easter at school fetes and fairs. Get in touch with other parents
and arrange for your child and their friends to meet up online
for an Easter quiz. Parents get to supervise as they will need a
quizmaster and to make sure no one cheats, plus the winner
gets a prize; an Easter egg.
Kids love getting messy. Choose a time where you can put a
few hours aside to get creative. Clear a space, collect together
any crafts, paints, pens, pencils and materials you have and let
their imagination run wild as they create the most outlandish
Easter pictures that they can think of to demonstrate what
Easter means to them. This is a great way for kids to let out all
their energy and boosts their mood by getting them to think
creatively.
If you are a larger family, ask your children to put on a play. Now
we’re not talking the Von Trap family here but something simple
that they can put together and perform for you. If you are tech
savvy you could always record them on your phone to send to
grandparents, aunts and uncles to enjoy too.
Make home-schooling a little more interesting, so interesting
that they won’t even realise they are learning whilst helping you
to bake a cake or cook a simple meal. Ask your child to join you
in the kitchen and give them tasks relevant to their age. Little
ones can mix cake mixture or add decorations to cakes and
older ones can help with measuring ingredients. Each one will
be so focussed on doing their job right that there won’t be time
for squabbles.
Get out in the garden and plant some flowers and vegetables.
Get outside and get digging. Perfect bulbs to plant in April
include sunflowers. We’ve all had that childhood photo posing
next to our first sunflower, right?
If you don’t have a large garden, head to the Garden Centre to
pick up a small planter and some seeds and teach the kids how
to grow their own vegetables. April is the perfect time to sow
peas, carrots, lettuce and radishes.
Have an indoor or outdoor picnic. Just because there are
certain restrictions outside our homes doesn’t mean we have
to stay indoors when we can get out into the garden. Get the
children involved in making sandwiches, homemade lemonade
and cakes, grab something to sit on and some cutlery and
take your lunch outside. That way everyone gets some fresh
air and the whole family can enjoy the experience without
being distracted by computer games, the television and mobile
phones.
Try these simple, budget-friendly suggestions and you’ll
soon find even the most energetic children are entertained
this Easter.
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