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Easy Paper Plate Dinosaur Mask Craft for Kids

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(This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you) Looking for a quick and easy dinosaur craft for kids ? These paper plate dinosaur masks are simple to make, fun to decorate, and perfect for imaginative play afterwards. This craft is ideal for a dinosaur-themed day at home , a rainy afternoon activity, or even a classroom craft. All you need is a paper plate, a few basic craft supplies, and a little creativity! Once finished, children can wear their dinosaur masks and stomp around the house pretending to be their favourite prehistoric creature. Why Kids Love This Dinosaur Craft This activity is perfect for young children because it’s: Quick and simple to make Great for creative decorating Encourages imaginative play Uses easy supplies you probably already have at home It also pairs perfectly with our Dinosaur Day activities in the Holiday at Home series. What You’ll Need ...
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How to Handle “I’m Bored” During the School Holidays (Without Losing Your Patience)

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We've all been there...there comes a time of the day when your children suddenly declare: “I’m bored.” As parent you want to immediately fix that situation, so you suggest something. “That’s boring.” comes the reply. You suggest something else. “Don’t want to.” And suddenly you feel like the full-time activities coordinator of the household — except nobody likes your programme.  If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. School holidays are long, and boredom shows up often. But here’s the reassuring truth that I only realised in recent years: Boredom isn’t a problem to fix. It’s a skill to build. Here’s how to handle “I’m bored” during the school holidays — without turning yourself into a cruise director.  Why Boredom Isn’t the Enemy When children say they’re bored, it usually means one of three things: They want connection They don’t want to start something independently They’re overstimulated and don’t know how to reset Our natural instinct is to...
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School Holiday Snack Ideas (Budget-Friendly, Easy & Picnic Ready)

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(This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you) If there’s one thing that increases during the school holidays, it’s the endless snack requests. Suddenly everyone is hungry. All the time. Five minutes after breakfast... And if you’re not careful, snacks become the silent budget and energy drain of the holidays — especially when you’re out and about. The good news? With a little planning, you can keep everyone fed without constant shop stops or expensive convenience food. Here are simple, realistic school holiday snack ideas that are: Budget-friendly Easy to prep Perfect for days out Suitable for home days too 🧺 The Golden Rule: Pack Before You Leave Before we get into specific food ideas, this one rule saves the most money: Always pack a snack box before leaving the house. Even if you think you won’t need it. Include: Water bottles Two small snacks per child So...
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How to Survive the School Holidays Without Overspending

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School holidays can feel expensive before they’ve even begun. Extra food. Extra activities. Extra outings. Extra everything. And while it’s lovely to plan days out and make memories, the pressure to constantly be doing something can quietly drain your budget — and your energy. The good news? You don’t need a packed calendar or a big spending pot to have a good school holiday. Here’s how to survive the school holidays without overspending — in a way that still feels fun, relaxed and realistic. 1. Decide Your Holiday Budget First Before you plan anything, set a rough budget. Even something simple like: £50 per week for outings One paid activity per fortnight Mostly free days with one “yes day” Having a number in mind removes guilt and impulse spending. It also helps you say no confidently — because you’re sticking to your plan, not just reacting in the moment. 2. Plan “Home Days” After Paid Days If you do a trip to soft play, a cinema visit or a day at the fa...
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Weekly or Monthly Meal Planning? Finding a Rhythm That Reduces Waste and Uses Leftovers Well

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When I first started meal planning, I assumed there was one “right” way to do it. Some people swore by planning a full month at a time. Others insisted weekly planning was the only realistic option. I tried to follow both approaches at different times — and honestly, neither worked perfectly on its own. What I’ve learned is that it isn’t about choosing weekly or monthly. It’s about understanding what each one is good for — and using them together in a way that supports real life. Weekly planning is practical. It keeps things flexible. You can look at your actual week ahead, see which evenings are busy, and plan accordingly. It works well with your fridge and freezer inventory, because you’re responding to what needs using now. But monthly planning has its own quiet benefits too. It gives you a bigger picture. You can see patterns, avoid repeating the same meals too often, and make better use of ingredients across several weeks. The real shift for me happened when I stopped thinki...
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Low-Energy School Holiday Days (For Tired Parents Who Are Running on Empty)

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School holidays are lovely. They’re also exhausting. Especially with very young children.  There’s a lot of talk about making memories and planning magical days… but not nearly enough about the days when you are simply tired. The kind of tired where the thought of organising an elaborate craft feels overwhelming. If you’re heading into the holidays already feeling stretched, this post is your permission slip. You don’t need to entertain constantly. You don’t need to create magic every day. You are allowed slow days. In fact, I would positively encourage you to build in slow days.  Here are simple, low-energy school holiday ideas that still keep the day flowing — without draining you completely. 1. The “Pyjamas Until Lunch” Morning Not every day needs an early start. My kids love a PJ day. No pressure, just a nice gentle start to the day. Low-energy mornings can look like: Pancakes are always a winner for a slow breakfast Slow breakfast - we love pancakes with all...
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