Low or No-Cost Festive Season

At this time of year, as parents we often feel pressured to be buying our children gifts and giving them experiences that cost a lot of money. But with rising costs of living how do you manage your child’s demands and expectations? And what impact will it have on their development if they have fewer toys or don’t visit the latest high-cost festive experience?

 

 

The 50 Things to Do team know that Play is one of the most important needs children have: we want to cultivate children’s imagination and creativity because having an active imagination can help your child in many ways. Children who play imaginary games tend to have noticeably better communication skills and are more able to cope with challenges and problems later in life as it enables them to think creatively. The good news is this doesn’t mean you have to invest in more toys! Having too many toys can actually limit opportunities for developing a child’s imagination, creativity and social interaction. Fewer toys also encourages deeper play and engagement as well as increasing a child’s attention span.

But, we recognise that children are exposed to adverts or peer pressure which can expose you, the parents, to feel the pressure. The first thing you need to remember is that although it may not always feel like it, you are the most valuable resource for your child and any time you spend together is worth more than anything you buy. Secondly, if a few toys are given sparingly it brings with it a sense of value and being grateful for what they have. And finally, if we want to stop our children from becoming targets of consumerism at an early age, then we need to choose toys according to their play merit – natural, imaginative, open- ended, etc. – instead of their brand names. Remember these points and it could help you say no!

 

 

When it comes to days out, there are many expensive festive focused experiences, but again, the good news is, there are also loads of low or even better, no, cost options too. Don’t forget that the 50 Things to Do app and website, not only contain 50 great low or no cost activities to do with your children, you can also use it to find out where there are low or no cost events happening in your area.

 

 

If you still feel the urge to spend, Dr Nigel King, reader in psychology at Huddersfield University, advises parents to choose toys that encourage social play. Left to their own devices children prefer what King describes as "social fantasy" toys - dressing-up clothes or anything which involves make-believe. These are the kind of toys parents should encourage - they teach children to interact, to empathise, respond to others' needs and work in groups.

 

 

We hope you found this blog helpful, and have a lovely fun-filled festive season with plenty of 50 Things activities!