How to keep your other kids busy and happy at Community Games Events!

If you are a parent with more than one child and one or more of them are doing some sort of Community Games activity, then you might like these ideas that we've gathered to help keep younger children occupied while their brothers and sisters are off in search of a Community Games medal! 

  ACTIVITIES 

• Simple Art: All you need is a copybook and a set of crayons and a pencil.  The rest will take care of itself
• Wordsearches and Crosswords: There are loads of good websites with printable activity sheets - keep a few in your handbag! Click here.  For the ultimate in Mum kudos = make your own tailored one for your child! Click here to see how!  We've created one here just Community Games! See Below or Click here
• Colouring Pages: There are loads of free colouring pages on the internet.  Click on this link to download a few and keep them with you "in case of emergency". 
• Footpath Chalk:  You don’t need a whole box of chalk, but a piece or two can give you a few minutes to actually watch your other child play!  This activity is really only good if you are outside around concrete but can be a great way to pass the time.
• Pipe Cleaners:  A few pipe cleaners can make for a fun creative play time.  Kids can make shapes and characters out them.  The best part is you can take it apart and start over.  Or lollipop sticks - but make sure it's not too windy! 
• Pipe Cleaners with beads:  If your child is learning how to add and/or subtract this could be a fun exercise.  Just take a pipe cleaner and add some beads.  Have your child use them to make easy math problems!  They fit easily in your purse and can be used over and over.
• Bubbles:  Kids love bubbles and they are really easy to keep in your bag.  This activity can really only be done at an outdoor event that you are in grass, like a soccer game or rounders.  You will need a pretty big area, so you don’t distract others around you but this could keep them busy for hours.

• If your child is old enough to read, a new book is a great way to keep them occupied! Don’t forget your public library is always a great place to find new books!  
• We have put together a game of “Find the Community Games Fan” that you can print and take with you!  Just click here to download it or see below
• Give them a Camera:  Have them take pictures and try to capture all that Community Games fun.  If you have a smart phone then that’s all you need!  There are also some great free apps that you can download like PhotoLab that  your child can use to make their pictures even more brilliant. But make sure you have a cover on it!  You don't want tears from both of you come home time. 
• Have them keep score and stats on players/brothers and sisters - here's where that copy book and pencil comes in handy!
• Sudoku - a great way to stretch brain power! Click here for some free printable Sudoku pages.
• Mini-Gym - What better way for children to  get fit - Give the children some simple exercises to follow: Jog on the Spot for 1 minute, imaginary skipping for 30 seconds, imaginary weight-lifting!  Children love a challenge - get them to count the star jumps they can do in 30 seconds while you try and focus on the game - for 30 seconds ;-)!