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Keeping children occupied during any school holidayÌýcan be tough and the weather, at this time of year, doesn’t help. Short, chilly or sub-zero days, can make it difficult to venture outside for long, and inevitably the telly, DVD player or games console can be a very useful time-filler. But there are some other ways to keep boredom at bay, during the Christmas holidays...

Younger children are easier to please, but have shorter attention spans. Some of the classic but simple art and craft makes, which you probably did at their age, allow your child to be really creative - and they’re cheap. Think papier mache (if you’ve got the time and energy), cutting up old egg cartons and using the cardboard tubes from old loo rolls to create a whole host of things. I remember covering them in foil or paint and turning them into candles, angels and snowmen when I was young.

Take a look at the Mister Maker pages on the Cbeebies website, for lots of ideas for some easy and fun makes, such as paper masks, finger puppets, cotton-button creatures and fridge magnets. The Make and ColourÌýsection on the Cbeebies site, also has a big selection of makes which are listed by theme (eg Animals & Nature, Model Making and Cooking). Ìý

In the first week of the holidays, there’s always the option of making your own Christmas cards. Clear a space, put a plastic cover down and get the glue and the glitter out. Don’t forget shiny paper or foil, felt tips and crayons, tinsel, tissue paper and the obligatory cotton wool for Santa’s beard or any snowman. If your children aren’t as excited as they once were, at the prospect of creating their own glitter-strewn cards, then why not let them design one on the computer instead?

Baking is the other big indoor activity, which should keep kids of any age busy for a while. Why not get them to help you with a few Christmas recipes you’ve got planned – or let them choose something they’d like to make as a present – maybe some truffles, cookies, shortbread or gingerbread men. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Food site has plenty of recipes for tasty festive treats, if you are stuck for ideas. ÌýÌý

If there’s a subject or topic your kids are really into at the moment (eg dinosaurs, sea creatures, insects, space), then another way of keeping them occupied in the holidays is to visit a few trusted websites. The has an excellent 'kids only' area. Print out pages for younger children – who will enjoy colouring, cutting and creating a collage. If your kids are older you might want to let them spend half an hour online, reading up on their favourite topic and playing some related quizzes and games.Ìý

And if you are happy to let them be entertained online for a while, then there is a wealth of fun interactive content on the C´óÏó´«Ã½ website. And the Cbeebies site has a whole section dedicated to Christmas content – there’s an advent calendar to click on, plus festive songs, stories, games and makes.

Got a garden? There are a few things your kids can do at this time of year, to give your local wildlife a helping hand. My daughter and I like putting out peanuts and seed mix for the birds and then spotting which varieties swoop down to tuck in. The Ìýhas a really good kids section. The 'Make ‘n’ Do' pages include a recipe for an inexpensive bird cake, as well as a guide to making a bird feeder from an old plastic bottle.Ìý

The ‘Things to Do’ section on the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Breathing Places site has lots of ideas for things to do in your garden – such as putting up a bat/bird box, making a bug home to attract creatures such as ladybirds (and help them through the winter), putting out the right type of food for hedgehogs and other mammals, and tips on protecting your garden wildlife from prowling cats.Ìý

If you want to venture further than your garden (or if you don’t have an outdoor space of your own), then ´óÏó´«Ã½ Breathing Places site also has a ‘Places to Go’ section. Just type in your postcode and it will come up with wildlife places or events near you, many of which are free of charge and make a great morning or afternoon out with the kids. Another good searchable database is ´óÏó´«Ã½ Thrillseeker. Again you just enter your postcode, to find suggestions for activities and events in your local area.Ìý

Many museums, galleries and arts centres don’t charge admission fees and often have extra events laid on during the school holidays. Log on to the and discover what is going on near you - the site has listings from more than 4,000 UK venues. Some events may require you to pre-register, even if they’re free, so it’s worth checking in advance.

Why not consider going ice skating? There are more than 60 permanent ice rinks in the UK. And during the Christmas holidays, there are often temporary outdoor rinks in many towns and cities. The Thrillseeker site mentioned above, contains some useful information on ice skating – how much it costs and where to find more information on your nearest indoor rink. If you don’t fancy getting your skates on, swimming doesn’t cost much and can be enjoyed by the whole family. Check out your local council website for opening times or any special kids’ sessions, during the Christmas holidays.

Heritage organisations, like the , often offer a few seasonal events which children will enjoy. Our local NT property, for example, is hosting a Christmas storytelling event, and has a special lantern trail in the gardens, which children can explore until early January.

Finally, libraries are always a good source of information for cheap or free activities going on, during the school holidays. Check the noticeboards or ask the staff, who are often a font of knowledge. I hope that’s given you a few pointers for stuff you could do with the kids during the next fortnight... Good luck!

Joanna Youngs is a member of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Parent Panel.

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