Entertain kids in the kitchen and save £££

 

 

Worried about what you're going to do on rainy days this summer? There's no need. Betta Living has come up with an activity checklist of 20 things to do in the kitchen. Plus all of

the activities are under a fiver - a lot less than taking children

to the cinema or bowling! 

 

The cost of keeping a child entertained over the six-week school summer holiday is estimated to be around £1000 per child. On top of this, the average number of rainy days in July is 14, around one in three days in the UK. Plus, research also shows that, on average, children lose about two months of skills - about 25% of the school year - over the summer.

   This is why fitted kitchen retailer Betta Living has put together a Kids In The Kitchen guide, aimed at inspiring parents with different activities that can all be done in the hub of the home and cost as little as 99p – many are free and use items already in the kitchen!  

   They have also teamed up with life coach for children Naomi Richards, author of The Parent’s Toolkit, to provide expert comment on how some of the activities will add to your child’s development while school’s out for summer. 

   She says: 'Parents can be confident that this inspiring list of activities are benefiting their children in more ways than just alleviating boredom and, without exception, there isn’t a screen or electronic device here!  

   'These activities will stimulate children’s creative juices and allow them to take the lead in a world dominated by the decisions of others, which has a massively positive impact on their self-esteem. By engaging children in conversation, you teach them how to listen and provide them with a chance

to express their own opinions. Providing your children with an active voice within the family is the bedrock of a confident child away from the home. 

   'All children are acquiring life skills as they grow. These are skills that aren’t explicitly taught and are often best demonstrated, but it can be difficult for busy parents to find the time or feel confident they have the know-how. There are some great life-skill enhancing activities in this summer kitchen activity pack by Betta Living. For example:

• The memory game - This is a simple and fun way of allowing kids to practice their memory skills.

• Pot & Pan Band - Cause and effect is a repeating theme in learning and life for younger children, and the pot and pan band activity is an everyday example of this.

• Science experiments - All children are naturally curious and continually seek to understand the ‘cause and effect’ phenomena. Plus they are delighted when surprised. Older children will love the science experiments - they are fun to do and illustrate a key life principle that spans beyond basic chemistry. An appreciation of cause and effect trains a child’s mind and develops their emotional intelligence. 

• Growing seeds - Being responsible, observant and accountable are ‘skills’. Some children are more responsible for their surroundings and actions than others, not by chance. Finding simple tasks to practice these skills, such as growing cress heads, seeds or herbs on the windowsill, all helps to ingrain responsibility into their personal values. Being responsible isn’t just about completing a task it is an approach - a mindset - where children are able to take action for themselves and be proud of doing something rather than existing in the world feeling entitled.

• Teddy Bears Tea Party - Activities that encourage children’s imaginations, such as hosting a tea party, are not just a different way to have a meal but an activity to explore imaginatively. Creating characters allows children the freedom to act out situations and aids understanding between parent and child. Step back, listen and hear what the child is saying. Playing can provide real insight into how a child is feeling about their environment, friendships and situations. It provides another great way of facilitating communication and allowing a child to lead and be heard.'

   The complete guide of activities can be accessed at 

Betta Living is a UK retailer of kitchens – see

for more information.