This weekend Lara and I spent quite some time together getting crafty, cooking and playing in the garden inspired by the contents of a Weekend Box. The Weekend Box is a subscription club where, every fortnight, your child received a parcel packed with weekend ideas for children; creative, healthy and green activities to keep your little ones occupied throughout the weekend.
Last Friday Lara was unwell and couldn't go to nursery so I stayed at home with her and we cracked open the Weekend Box. The little box came with everything we would need to complete two different craft activities, a gardening activity, cookery activity and a story activity... and it really was pretty much everything we needed. In a regular box you receive 4 activities in each box.
At first I was a little sceptical about the concept of the Weekend Box but I think I've been won around. As a family who already do quite a few craft activities together, actively encourage the girls to help us in the garden and ALWAYS have little helpers in the kitchen, I wasn't originally sure that the Weekend Box presented good value for money because many of the contents of the box are already things we have around the house. But then when I thought about it I realised that with a regular subscription you aren't just paying for the materials to conduct the activities but also for the inspiration and the reference sheets - each activity comes with instructions on a printed sheet which can be used again and again.
OK, so we are quite unusual in that we have odds and ends of craft materials and gardening products available for the girls at most times but for many families, it would cost an awful lot of money to go out and buy full-sized versions of all of the materials provided in the Weekend Box and they may never be used again. So yes, now I've thought about it, I think that the Weekend Box is pretty good value for money, especially when you sign up to a regular delivery.
On Friday Lara got busy with the creative activities. She made these fun pom pom animals from wool, PVA glue, sticky eyes and foam pieces. Then Lara was inspired by a green activity which involved up-cycling fabric off-cuts to make fabric letters... she chose to decorate the letters from her own name.
On Saturday Lara and I planted Basil seeds in the garden in a recycled egg box. Lara absolutely loves being out in the garden and always seems her happiest when planting and watering.
On Saturday Lara and I planted Basil seeds in the garden in a recycled egg box. Lara absolutely loves being out in the garden and always seems her happiest when planting and watering.
On Sunday Lara and I made carrot soup for lunch using our Weekend Box recipe and the special sachet of magic spices. Unfortunately Lara was a grumpy boots and refused to try the soup she had made (she's always been a bit funny about soup... right from day one). But me and Mr. B absolutely loved the soup!
We still have a story activity to do together which involves creating a story from the characters on the prompt sheet... perhaps we will do that as we drive off on our holiday!
For me one of the most admirable things about the Weekend Box is the green credentials. 100% of the contents of each box is recyclable and 95% of it came from recycled sources in the first place. The instruction cards are all printed with acid- and alcohol-free inks on FSC approved paper. Lots of the activities in the Weekend Boxes are designed to encourage in our children an interest in eco activities and the world around us.
I think that the Weekend Box would be perfect for children from about 3 years to 8 years and would work brilliantly well during school holidays when you need lots of inspiration for ideas for activities for children. You can follow Weekend Box on Twitter (@WeekendBoxClub) or Facebook (/WeekendBoxClub) for exclusive content, competitions and much more!
YOU CAN GET YOUR FIRST WEEKENDBOX FOR JUST £5 WITH THE CODE WBEMMA2
YOU CAN GET YOUR FIRST WEEKENDBOX FOR JUST £5 WITH THE CODE WBEMMA2
