That time of year approaching...

Poor you, nellie - I do sympathise.
When we were 13/14 we just amused ourselves - going round to friends' houses or getting the bus to a park or the pictures. Nowadays children of all ages seem to have to be 'entertained' and have things found for them to do! Is the friend you're having to stay E's friend? If so, they may well take the strain off you by ganging up together!

PGL and that sort of thing would be an option for a week or two if you could afford it. Personally we can't. We have a 7 and 11 nearly 12 year old and we are already wondering about the early teenage years. Last year we took them surfing in Cornwall which goes down really well - keeping them active is the secret but it isn't easy. If resources are limited it is much more difficult, I can think of all sorts of stuff but it largely costs more than we can afford.

Yes she is Nag they have been friends since they where 6 and she comes up at least each summer ,they get on well ,thing is we live so far from anything it requires either bus or car journey,they will amuse themselves at a park for a short while but our village doesnt have a park with climbing frames etc on it,swimming is fine if neither has a period...but all very costly and have to travel I dread what are we doing today as soon as they get out of bed [glum expression] and there also problems with some children causing problems and aggravating neighbours and I don't want her to be involved or accused so want to be out and about with her which is added pressur am having rant now aren't I....

Oh, dear, yes I can see that where you live is rather a problem in the school holidays, nellie - both location and neighbours cause difficulties! I'm sure other GNetters will come up with some ideas, and I'm also sure you'll cope admirably, as always!

Thanks nag and whitewave the sort of PGL things are very expensive and out of our reach where we live Norfolk has lots to appeal to the tourists with parting them from the money being a main aim,and this is fine as a treat and one off outing but can't sustain that for 7 weeks,it was easier when she was younger and her friend came we could make up adventures and have ghost walks at night etc but that doesn't quite work and they are bored with it...

Are you anywhere near the coast, nellie? Even teenagers might enjoy a bit of beachcombing, even picking up rubbish for disposal - might make them feel useful. Gather driftwood for a bonfire, if that's allowed, or for driftwood art. Have a beach BBQ - needn't be expensive, even with one of those disposable BBQs.

Yes Nellie I thought it would be too expensive - I found the same. It is a pain though as really the aim is to keep them occupied and out of trouble. Kibutz seems a good idea!

That's just made me think of something, Annobel - how about a project of some kind? They could compile a scrapbook and collect things on a certain theme...

anagram has taken the words out of my fingers! I was just going to suggest a project. It does, however, need to be an extended project like decorating a room. When I was a teenager I was allowed to decorate my bedroom. This included painting, making a cushion, embroidery,polishing the furniture etc. Took the whole holiday and I was so proud when it was finished. I also remember letting my children decorate a whole wall with a seaside scene. We had moved house and they made cut outs to stick on the wall and bits of cloth etc and there were things going on on the beach, in the sea and in the air. We had to remove it when the time came to decorate that room . I sometimes wish we had kept it. Not even got a picture of it

whitewave is the kibbutz for me or the girls
nag DO try to have some sort of project scrapbook etc but they seem to have outgrown all that this year,and that is at the heart of the problem too old for something's and too young for others fortunately there don't seem to be any boys lurking about this year....no doubt that will be next years worry...

Every thing has been freshly decorated so that's. NOt an option all though that would have brilliant .We are in the heart of Norfolk although coast all round all about 50 miles away,we do have days out there....will get this aged brain to think of a project age appropriate we have to do research etc and involving some visits to places linked can feel an idea forming History of Norfolk can tie in the ghosts theme a few seaside trips Nelsons link and a few walks through the footpaths thanks ladies that sounds like a plan ...... day in Norwich churches etc...kings Lynn ports....* Nellie * is on a rollxxxxthank you all

Have just been speaking to E and we have come up with the idea of a moonboard as a project for both girls especially as they will being into YR9 after the holiday and it will help prepare them for the lead up to GCSE

nellie have you tried asking 'E' what she woud like to do?? by getting her involved in planning and costing, making decisions of what might be possible and/or feasible??

Thought about teaching them both a crafting skill, where they end up by making something for themselves?? Does she have her laptop replaced yet? may not be the 'healthiest/fittest' way to stay occupied ...but we can all
waste enjoy time on-line ...music/films etc

Presumably if her friend is there ...the up side is that 'E' doesn't throw tantrums??

Never had to cope with this problem ...always lived in large community, they had plenty of friends a round, pretty much kept each other busy/occupied.

thanks jacey that is pretty much how it was when my DC where growing up with lots of friends to go out with.
Asked what she would like to do normally involves spending loads but will get them both involved in setting a budget and sticking to it shopping for and preparing the food,ie mini pizzas and sausage rolls etc,little cakes etc for the pack up,for the following days trip,putting together a healthy lunch etc,the ideas here are brilliant and firming up ideas already forming in my mind...

"nellie" I don't know which part of Norfolk you are in but I can recommend Holt Country Park for a visit for all ages.There are lots of different walks with lots to see. In the holidays there are activities organised and a play area to suit a wide age group.There are picnic tables and just a small parking fee. I hope this helps

nellie My GDs love the Hairy Bikers so, inspired by their Mum's Know Best programmes, I dug out all my recipes (and there are hundreds). The GDs were staying for a week and the weather was foul so we didn't bother planning any day trips. I gave them a folder each and suggested they compile their own recipe books. They planned meals, cooked them and photographed them. They used the computer for design ideas and decorated the folders. They were also able to cost each recipe as there's a very easy programme for use on the British Nutrition Foundation website. We shopped for the ingredients together and they had to stay within a budget.
This won't solve the problem of what to do for the long hols but it might use up a few days and you won't have to do any cooking.

nellie how about setting them up making jewelry. Go online and get some beads and cord I have checked a few out and put the links below on Ebay they are really cheap.

Girls love doing this and you may find they set their selves up making birthday/Christmas presents.

www.beadsdirect.co.uk/rose-quartz-chips-4-6mm-36-strand/EX2722/

www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=beads&_sacat=See-All-Categories

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30-metres-WAXED-COTTON-CORD-THONG-1mm-Dia-BLACK-/180842758690?pt=UK_Crafts_JewelleryMaking_GL&hash=item2a1b118222

There are so many good ideas here I'm going to store them up for when my GDs reach early teenagehood!

Nellie, thanks so much for coming back about our ideas. You sound all 'fired up'. Do hope you can come back after the hols and tell us how it all went

Are they fashion conscious yet? How about getting them to design their own range for young teens?
Are you near any stables - they are often ready to welcome keen girls who work for nothing, mucking out and grooming.
Do you have a local council that runs any schemes?

Nellie - have you got a garage or attic that needs clearing out? Could you have a garage sale outside the house? They could they make buns and sell them too. Could be for charity?

Have you thought about brass rubbings - only need thickish paper and a candle or wax crayon (thick ones work best). There are lots of old churches in Norfolk and you can do tombstones and effigies. May need permission from the Vicar though.

Are they sporty girls - how about public tennis courts? At that age I spent most of my long summer holidays playing tennis and pretending to be the Wimbledon superstars with my friends! We also went swimming at the public baths.

My DH used to take our two plus various neighbours' kids on "expeditions" - using public transport. The kids had to read the timetables and plan where they wanted to go. There used to be "Day-Rover" tickets which made it quite cheap and for kids used to being taxi-ed everywhere it was exciting using buses and trains. Not much use if you live in the sticks with one bus a week I know!

Can they knit? I was given a cash incentive (bribe) to learn to knit and make a wearable garment and I did this at 13. I'm not at all "crafty" - find it boring but I always liked knitting till the thumbs seized up.

Good luck Nellie - teenagers are not easy and you are doing a fantastic job with E.She'll appreciate that in years to come.

You have all been brilliant and there are plenty of choices and good ideas,won't be disappearing during the holiday have a feeling will need you all more than everxxxx1[flowers ] for you allxx

A roll of old wallpaper-use the plain side to make a picture diary-using scraps of magazines for their clothes what they wore where they went or a pretend diary of the perfect life-winning at wimbledon meeting pop star cooking a banquet.
one year we cut out trees and houses and made a whole town scape need lots of glue but god bless pound shops for glittery scraps.

If using old wallpaper make sure that the plain side is not pre pasted as the paste is fungicidal and damaging to health.