Game ideas for the long weekend

Need some inspo to keep the kids entertained? Look no further!

Make a Crown

Creating a kids’ crown can be a fun and engaging craft activity. Here’s a simple method to make a DIY crown:

Materials needed:

• Construction paper or cardstock in different colors
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Decorative materials such as stickers, glitter, markers, or gems
• Optional: Ribbon or elastic cord for securing the crown

Instructions:

1. Measure the circumference of the child’s head: Use a soft measuring tape or a piece of string to measure around the child’s head where the crown will sit. Add an inch or two to this measurement to ensure a comfortable fit.
2. Cut the base strip: Cut a long strip of construction paper or cardstock, about 2-3 inches wide, according to the measured circumference.
3. Decorate the base strip: Let the child unleash their creativity by decorating the base strip with markers, stickers, glitter, or any other desired embellishments. They can draw patterns, add shapes, or write their name.
4. Create the crown points: Cut small triangles or zigzag shapes along the top edge of the base strip. These will be the points of the crown. You can make them all the same size or alternate between larger and smaller points.
5. Decorate the crown points: Allow the child to further decorate the crown points with glitter, stickers, or by drawing designs.
6. Connect the ends: Bring the ends of the base strip together, overlapping slightly to fit the child’s head. Secure the ends with glue or tape to form a circle.
7. Optional: Attach ribbon or elastic cord: If desired, cut two equal lengths of ribbon or elastic cord. Attach one end of each piece to opposite sides of the crown using glue or tape. These will serve as ties to secure the crown around the child’s head.
8. Final touches: Let the child add any final decorations or embellishments to their crown, such as gems or additional stickers.

Once the crown is complete, allow the child to wear it proudly or incorporate it into the coronation celebration. They’ll feel like a true king or queen!

Sensory Ideas

1. Royal Sensory Bin: Create a sensory bin filled with materials that babies can explore and manipulate. Use colored rice or shredded paper as the base and add items like plastic jewels, soft fabric scraps, silky ribbons, and small crowns or scepters. Encourage babies to touch and feel the different textures while exploring the royal treasures.
2. Musical Thrones: Arrange a circle of soft cushions or mats to resemble thrones. Play gentle instrumental music and invite parents to hold their babies and sway to the rhythm. This activity provides a soothing sensory experience through touch, movement, and sound.
3. Royal Mirror Play: Set up a safe and baby-friendly mirror station where babies can interact with their reflections. Place small plastic crowns or tiaras nearby and encourage babies to reach out and touch their own reflections while wearing the royal accessories.
4. Scepter Shake: Provide babies with soft, colorful rattles or shakers resembling scepters. Play soft music or nursery rhymes and encourage babies to shake their scepters in time with the music. This activity promotes hand-eye coordination and auditory stimulation.
5. Sensory Crown Decorating: Provide babies with soft, foam crowns and a variety of sensory materials such as colorful feathers, textured stickers, fabric scraps, and fuzzy pom-poms. Assist them in decorating their crowns by attaching the sensory materials using safe, child-friendly glue or adhesive dots.
6. Regal Balloon Play: Inflate balloons in royal colors like gold, silver, and purple. Place them in a secure, supervised area and let babies freely interact with them. The bouncing balloons and gentle tactile sensations will engage their senses and provide a playful experience.
7. Royal Puppet Show: Set up a small puppet theater or use a blanket fort as a stage. Use soft, plush puppets resembling kings, queens, or other royal characters. Move the puppets around and interact with the babies, engaging their visual and auditory senses.
8. Sensory Treasure Hunt: Hide small, age-appropriate treasures around the play area, such as soft plush crowns or small, textured balls. Encourage babies to explore and discover the hidden treasures, providing them with a multisensory experience.

Remember to supervise babies closely during these activities.

Make a Castle

Materials needed:

• Cardstock paper or construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Ruler
• Pencil or marker
• Decorative items (optional)

Step 1: Draw and cut out the castle’s base. Take a piece of cardstock paper or construction paper and draw a rectangle that measures about 8 inches by 10 inches. Cut out the rectangle using scissors.

Step 2: Create the castle’s walls. Take another piece of cardstock paper and measure and mark a rectangle that measures 8 inches by 5 inches. Cut out the rectangle and then fold it in half to create a crease. Open the paper back up and use scissors to cut along the crease line, creating two separate pieces. These pieces will form the castle’s walls.

Step 3: Cut out the castle’s towers. Take another piece of cardstock paper and draw two square shapes that measure about 3 inches by 3 inches. Cut out the squares and then fold them in half diagonally to create two triangles. These triangles will form the castle’s towers.

Step 4: Assemble the castle. Take the castle walls and apply glue to one side of each piece. Attach the walls to the base of the castle, making sure to leave a space between the two pieces for the castle’s entrance. Next, take the towers and apply glue to the sides that were not folded. Attach the towers to the castle’s walls at the corners of the castle.

Step 5: Decorate the castle. Use decorative items like stickers, markers, or crayons to decorate the castle. You can also add a drawbridge made from another piece of paper, flags or banners, and other details.

And there you have it! A beautiful paper castle that you and your kids can enjoy building together for the coronation.

Have a great long weekend! xx