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The Easter holidays are somehow already upon us – it only feels like five minutes since Christmas. And while it can be really lovely having the kids at home for some quality time, most of us will admit to struggling from time to time. There are only so many ways to combat boredom. And that can be doubly hard if you also have to work – especially if you’re working from home. So, what can you do to ease that pressure?

The Swizzels Easter Holiday Survival Guide

Plan ahead

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You might not want to have a fully regimented fortnight. But having a rough idea of how you wish to spend your time can be really helpful. At this point, you’ve probably already worked out which days your children are going to their grandparents or holiday club. But what about the times at home? What plans do you have to beat your stress and their boredom? Working out a loose list of activities that you can dip into when the time comes makes life so much easier. And it doesn’t have to cost you money. Plan a nature walk. Plant some seeds. Craft. Break out the board games. Mix in some things that you wouldn’t normally do, just to keep things interesting.

Bake

Easter and baking go hand in hand. Whether it’s making an Easter cake, or using up your Easter treat stash after the big day. Baking is a great way to pass the time with children. It’s fun. It’s educational – for older children try baking maths, for littlies just get them to try and spot the numbers when you weigh out the ingredients. And you (hopefully!) get something good to eat at the end of it! Stuck for inspiration? Try Drumchick Squashies Easter Nests, Rainbow Drop crispies, or one of our other yummy recipes.

Nature craft

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Nature craft is not just very on-trend right now, it can be really good fun. And there are so many different things you can do, so there are activities for everyone. Make bee bombs. Build a den. Press flowers or make hammer flower art. Build a bug hotel or hedgehog house. Or opt for the simpler things. Make a stone sundial, natural paintbrushes, or leaf art. It’s all great fun, and a good way to get your children outside in the fresh air and learning.

Eke out the Easter eggs

It’s tempting to let the kids gorge on Easter eggs and sweets – it’s part of the Easter Sunday fun. But if you eke them out, they have a treat to look forward to each day. That’s why it can be a good idea to get a collection of smaller treats, rather than one big one. A Swizzels sweet hamper, for example, makes a big impression, but can be easily separated into smaller portions. Organising an Easter treasure hunt can have the same result. Grab a tub of Sweet Shop Favourites and some other goodies – Drumchick Squashies work well for Easter! – and you’re halfway there!

Don’t forget the play dates

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Forget your cinema trips, your meals out, and excursions. Playdates have the potential to be the most cost-effective and enjoyable of holiday activities. Because the kids entertain themselves. So, put out the feelers right now, today. Find out who amongst your children’s friendship group is available when, and try to arrange a time. It’s something for the kids to look forward to. And can be a great way to pass an afternoon. ‘Child swaps’ can also be a great way to manage work. See if you can arrange a day for your child to go to a friend’s house, then return the favour the following week. Everyone wins!

The Easter holidays have so much potential to be amazing. But for working parents, they can also be pretty stressful. So, take some time to plan ahead, so you can enjoy your family time together.

Still looking for Easter treats? Check out the Swizzels sweet shop.