< Previous10 June 2020 Time Out UAE Kids Busy h 10 - 15_TOKU_1306_COVER STORY_11294189.indd 1027/05/2020 12:16:08Time Out UAE Kids June 2020 11 Here are 20 ways to keep the little ones entertained at home hands 10 - 15_TOKU_1306_COVER STORY_11294189.indd 1127/05/2020 15:11:58Things to do 12 June 2020 Time Out UAE Kids AS WE ENTER another week of home learning and staying at home with the kiddos, you may be wondering what things you can do as a family to keep busy and have fun. Well, we've got a few that might just do the job. Here are ten fun things to do with the whole family. Enjoy! Illustrate If your children like drawing there's lots of inspiration around at the moment, with illustrators offering free online tutorials for kids to get involved with. A popular one is Draw With Rob, http://www. robbiddulph.com/draw-with-rob a website from author and illustrator Rob Biddulph, who's written books including Blown Away about a fearless penguin and Give Peas a Chance. His videos, show children how to create some of his most beloved characters including Fred Bear from GRRRRR! and a sausage dog like the one in Odd Dog Out. Make play dough A serious favourite with kids of all ages that can keep them entertained for hours. They can use cookie cutters to create fun shapes, build play dough animals or roll it out to make snakes. All you have to do is try not to stress about the colours being mixed together! Here's an easy way to make your own: 2 cups of plain flour 1 cup of salt 1 tablespoon of oil Half to 1 cup of cold water 2 drops of liquid food colouring Mix the flour and salt then add the water, oil and food colouring. Knead the mixture well, adding a little more flour if the consistency is too wet. Potato printing This will take mums and dads back to their own early years arts and crafts fun. All you have to do is find an old potato, cut it in half and then carve a shape out of each half to use as a paint stamp. Let them loose with the pain so they can create fun patterns and make you another piece of artwork to add to you treasures. Feed the birds Bring a spot of nature into your garden by making somewhere for the birds to gather and have some food. There are loads of flying feathered friends around at the moment, including some beautiful green parrots. Once you've lured them in and they are tucking into a feast, you can enjoy getting a closer look at them without them flying off. To make the bird feeders, use a large milk bottle and cut it in half. Then use felt tip pens “Keep busy and have fun as a family” Potato printing 10 - 15_TOKU_1306_COVER STORY_11294189.indd 1227/05/2020 12:16:34Things to do When they find them, they can put them in the bag. Once they've successfully ticked everything they have collected off their lists, they could use the items they have found to make a nature picture afterwards, or a leaf print. And if you want to stay inside (it is getting hot out there after all) then why not hide some letters or words around the house. They can find them and then use them to make words and sentences. They won't even realise they're learning, which is always a bonus. Sock puppets You may already have a puppet show or some puppets you could use, but if not, then get an old sock and make your own. Make your own characters and then grab a cardboard box and create your own theatre for the puppets to perform in. Kids can then practice performing before putting on shows for the rest of the family. Hand prints It's always lovely to get hand prints and foot prints from your little ones to capture that moment in time. Use poster paints and paint the palms of their hands before letting them stamp their hands down all over the paper. Older kids might want to make more arty pieces such as a peacock or a tree... both fun to make using handprints. Play the alphabet game Now this one couldn't be simpler and it'll get them writing and practising their spellings Time Out UAE Kids June 2020 13 to colour the plastic, or anything else you'd like to make it colourful, and fill it with bird seed. Place outside somewhere high and then sit back, wait and watch. Tell the time Give we've all got a bit more time on our hands, how about teaching the kids to tell the time properly? They will have loads of fun making their own clock and hopefully will use the end result to develop a new skill. You could do it with just paper and a pin to attach the hands, or cardboard or a paper plate would do the trick. You can make it as detailed or as simple as you like, but writing quarter past, half past, quarter to and midnight/o'clock in the relevant places will help them get the gist. Go on a treasure hunt There's all sorts of fun to be had indoors or outdoors with a treasure hunt. Give each child a bag and a list outlining what they have to find. Include things like a leaf, a flower, a stick, a stone... anything that they can find in the garden. Make play dough Sock puppets 10 - 15_TOKU_1306_COVER STORY_11294189.indd 1327/05/2020 12:16:44Things to do 14 June 2020 Time Out UAE Kids without them even knowing. Basically pick any subject like the name of their favourite animal, colour or even the names of chocolate bars they like and they have to write one down for each letter of the alphabet. You could even get the kids to see who can do it the fastest, if you can handle the fallout that is. Fun with paper cups It might not sound all that interesting, but there's all kinds of games you can play with paper cups... really. You can make a walkie talkie by cutting a hole in the bottom of two cups and linking them with a bit of string. Or see who can stack them the highest without them falling or see who can knock them all down with a ball. You could have points for getting the ball inside different cups and see who can get the most, or play the child's version of beer pong where they have to drink whatever's inside the cup it lands in. Make sure you're supervising this one! Shadow drawing Fun with paper cups 10 - 15_TOKU_1306_COVER STORY_11294189.indd 1427/05/2020 12:17:15Things to do Time Out UAE Kids June 2020 15 Have a tea party If you've got a few children they can enjoy a tea party together, but even only children can enjoy it with a bit of imagination. They can invite their toys along instead – give each of them their own invitation and enjoy a treasure hunt in the garden and pass the parcel. Shadow drawing All you need is the sun for this one – and we’re lucky enough to have plenty of that here – although you could always use a lamp if it’s a bit hot outside. Ask your child to get their favourite animals or characters out and they can easily draw around the shadows. You might get even more peace while they spend time colouring them in too. Kitchen roll decorating You don't need a mindfulness colouring book when you've got some kitchen towel to hand Using fine felt tips you can colour in the dots in different colours. Who knew kitchen roll could look so good? Obstacle course Use chalk to make an obstacle course on the floor outside. Draw squiggly lines for the kids to follow, circles for them to jump in, hopscotch, footprints and running on the spot (you can draw a circle and put the number of seconds they have to run for in the middle). This is a fun activity with loads of benefits too such as aerobic activity, balance skills, outdoor time and academic concepts. Build a robot Boxes, bottles, tubes, or whatever else you have hanging around at home can be put to good use to make your very own robot. You could use gold paper or foil or paint or felt tips would work on cardboard too – perhaps covering the box in plain white paper first if needed. Milk bottle ski-es Collect your empty milk bottles and get the kids to design their own fun theme. They could make them into animals, put paint hand prints on them or wrap them in felt and cover them in glitter... anything goes. Then line them up and use a tennis ball to knock them all down. A fun game that will also help their counting skills as they work out how many they knock down each time and try and beat their siblings or mum and dad. Create a family tree This one might make you a bit sad when we can't see our loved ones at the moment, but it's a nice idea to get the kids making a family tree. You could FaceTime older relatives to get information and stories from them to be included. Make slime If you're brave enough you might want to let the children have a go at making their own slime. It's become hugely popular over recent years and you can find guides to making your own online, or pick up a slime making kit, which comes with everything you need inside. Build a den What's an indoor activity list without a den or a fort? Drape blankets or sheets across the furniture in the living room and grab sofa cushions and pillows from your bedroom to make a cosy den to chill out in. “Make a walkie talkie with paper cups” Obstacle course 10 - 15_TOKU_1306_COVER STORY_11294189.indd 1527/05/2020 12:17:2616 June 2020 Time Out UAE Kids Queen of Wean Kid’s nutritionist and cookbook author Annabel Karmel has launched a new range of healthy baby food across the UAE HER NAME IS synonymous with healthy eating for babies and toddlers and Annabel Karmel has a impressive list of credentials to back up her well-deserved reputation as the go-to when it comes to weaning your baby off milk and onto solids. The London-born mother of three has pioneered the way families all over the world feed their babies and children and is credited with starting a food revolution with her trusty recipes and methods. We catch up with Karmel to find out more about her latest healthy, organic range of bay and toddlers food and snacks that has just launched across the UAE and get some top tips on how to meet the constant snacking demands of our kids! 16 - 17_TOKU_1306_Annabel Karmel_11233492.indd 1627/05/2020 12:20:24Annabel Karmel Time Out UAE Kids June 2020 17 not readily available and something you have every day. Try some simple carrot and oat bars or mini energy balls which will have definite child appeal but remain healthy. If possible, look to offer snacks that contain a nutritious boost such as homemade hummus with carrot and cucumber batons (kids love to dunk and dip) or try toast fingers topped with peanut butter or slices of avocado. Frozen yoghurt with berries or a homemade savoury mini muffin containing grated courgette, carrot or butternut squash are also some of my favourites. What would you suggest parents always have in their store cupboards? A well-stocked store cupboard of cans and tins means you can still cook-up a healthy nutritious dinner for the whole family even if you haven’t been able to go to the shops. It takes no time at all to create a quick tinned tomato-based sauce for pasta or use a tin of chickpeas to make mini falafels or a quick hummus. I also always like to have Panko breadcrumbs in my cupboard to coat goujons of fish or chicken or add to burgers. They are so handy when you don’t have fresh bread, plus they create more of a crispy crunch kids love. And why is the UAE such an important place for you when it comes to your various ranges? I love the UAE and I come two or three times a year to work and holiday. I have met some wonderful people and the food is always fantastic! I’m very excited to partner with some of the UAE’s top retailers. Many of my best-selling books are available over here and parents already use my recipes to scratch-cook at home. It felt like a natural next step to help to further support parents with convenient mealtime solutions for those busy days when there isn’t time to cook. White and the Bear was proving a huge hit with UAE parents before the pandemic. Are you surprised about how successful it’s been? White and the Bear is more than a children’s restaurant its an incredible experience from the moment you walk through the door . The beautiful white stylish design , the way children are in charge of what they choose to eat and How long have you been planning the recipes for your new range? I’m so excited to launch into the UAE! My vision today is still the same as it was 30 years ago – I wanted to be somebody who held a mum or dad’s hand through the difficult time of feeding their child. I know how powerful food can be in bringing families together and this is what continues to drive me to develop more and more recipes to this day. My new ranges are based on my most popular recipes from my cookery books over the years, so they are well and truly tried and tested! You’ll find me cooking in my kitchen every Tuesday developing recipes. It’s one of the best bits of my job and although I’m busy I’ll always make time for this. I like to look at recipes that have worked really well previously and adapt these to create nutritious ready-to- go options for parents. Any tips on keeping kids meals healthy while they are mostly stuck inside with limited exercise? It’s so important to stay healthy in these trying times. Eating nutritious meals can improve mood, keep our energy levels up and even help with encouraging regular sleep patterns. Light but delicious and packed with goodness, foods such as veggie fritters or croquettes always go down well with kids and they are suitable for the whole family (baby included) so you only have to prepare the one meal. It’s also important to point out that if it’s not possible to get the exact ingredients for a recipe then worry not – these times are about getting creative and using what we have to hand or what’s in season! You can simply swap in whatever veggies or herbs you have to hand! You can quite easily give healthy foods a makeover to add extra child appeal to certain ingredients. For example, I love using a spiraliser – you can make courgette ‘spaghetti’ and serve with a tomato sauce or bake sweet potato curls in the oven with a little oil and seasoning to add oodles of child appeal to everyday vegetables. If you don’t have a spiraliser you can grate ribbons with a vegetable peeler instead! The secret is to get children to take an active interest in what they’re eating. It’s a really great idea to get them involved in preparing their own dinner, plus it’s an activity to keep them occupied too. Why not try laying out tortillas or wraps along with bowls of brightly coloured veggies and salmon, chicken or cheese to make quesadillas. You can also create a salad bar with lots of different ingredients on offer. Children can help to make their own toppings too – add bowls of seeds, dried fruit, croutons and finely chopped nuts and get some jam jars at the ready to help them create their own dressing and then pop the lid on and shake shake! What can mums give kids to satiate their non-stop demands for snacks? It’s all about striking that healthy balance. My top tip is to get little ones making their very own ‘sweet treats’ so they understand that they’re ANNABEL KARMEL’S THREE FAMILY SUPPER FAVOURITES Frittata Family cooking doesn’t have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. If in doubt, eggs are my staple ingredient. They are a fantastic food for the whole family and packed full of nutrients. The great thing is that you often have them to hand so you can always whip up a quick frittata in minutes. One-pot roast chicken If I’m cooking for a crowd there is nothing better (or more satisfying) than a one-pot recipe – just chuck all the ingredients in and leave it to do its thing while you get on with other jobs. My One-Pot Roast Chicken is a delicious, easy, all-in-one meal that feeds the whole family. Spaghetti bolognese Spaghetti Bolognese is often a firm family favourite and I like to make mine with lots of hidden veggies such as carrot, red pepper, onion, and celery blended into the sauce. Make a big batch and then freeze or use the next day to top jacket potatoes or tacos or use to make a lasagne or cottage pie base. eat together, the interactive menu where they can create their own bear cookies or paint fruit using a paint brush dipped into fruit purees . I designed the menu to allow children to explore new flavours like my Chicken and Veggie Quesadillas or my Butter Chicken. Upstairs children can explore their artistic flair colouring in street scene murals which cover the tables and browse the story books, tableware and a selection of clothes and toys curated by Hannah the owner who has scoured the world for the best in class in each category. It’s a magical place where memories are made. Do you have any plans to open any more restaurants in the UAE once things get back to normal? Never say never! I’d love to see healthier and more interesting options on restaurant menus to get children excited about different foods from all over the world so who knows, watch this space I have been approached by someone who is opening a stunning café with a beautiful kids zone in Jeddah! 16 - 17_TOKU_1306_Annabel Karmel_11233492.indd 1727/05/2020 12:20:3918 June 2020 Time Out UAE Kids WE ARE LUCKY enough to live in an incredibly vibrant city, so it’s little wonder that we are all missing it at the moment. But our kids have it even harder. They may not be able to explain it, to have the life experience or vocabulary to tell the adults in their life what hurts and this will come out in other ways… we’ve seen quite a few tantrums and tears in the household. They’ve been off school since March and are really missing their friends, their teachers and their routines, so it’s little wonder that kids are craving being able to get back to some semblance of normality. While it is still unclear when that will be, we can all dream about what We find out what UAE kids are most looking forward to doing once the lockdown has ended we’d most like to do when we are allowed back out and having spoken to some gorgeous little ones in the UAE, they’ve made their thoughts very clear about the first things they want to do when they can get back out there. Prepare for cuteness... Aara, five I am looking forward to going back to school and to meeting up with all my friends again. I also can’t wait to go swimming in the pool. Daisy, five I can’t wait to play with my friends again and to go play on the water slides. Caelen, five I am so excited to play with my friends again and to go to the pool. Oh, and I can’t wait to go back to motiongate with my family. Francesca, five I am really missing being able to go swimming, so I can’t wait to get back in the pool. I miss my friends and my teacher, Mrs Skelton, so am looking forward to seeing all of them again. Shaan, five So many things! Seeing my friends, going back to school, going swimming… and playing football. to the Looking future 18 - 19_TOKU_1306_What kids want_11294090.indd 1827/05/2020 12:21:33Time Out UAE Kids June 2020 19 Margarita, seven I am looking forward to going to the beach and to the swimming pool and to be able to travel again. Ayan, five I am excited for normal school life to resume and to be able to go to the play areas with my friends. And I also can’t wait for playdates, to go travelling and to go swimming in the pool. Joshua, 11 Sport! I am so excited about being able to start playing rugby again and to start swim squad and football. Just being able to get back to all “I am so excited to play with my friends again and to go to the pool” my sports training will be amazing, I literally cannot wait. Lauren, seven and Neve, five We are looking forward to going back to school and seeing all of our friends again. Plus having loads of playdates. Sam, 11 I’d have to say playdates. I am missing my friends so much so being able to see them all again will be so exciting, I can’t wait. William, four I want to see Amy and feed camels hay and stroke their heads. Olivia, four Spending more time with my mummy and going to fun places where I can spend even more time with you. Millie, six I can’t wait to see my nana and papa who live in Spain. I miss them so much. I also can’t wait to see all of my friends and my teacher. Ralph, 11 The Skate Park and seeing my friends again. Just generally being able to hang out with my mates will be amazing. Ayaz, five I miss roller coasters, water slides and my friends. Roslin, five I want to go on holiday! Alex, five I want to go to a park and have a picnic with all of my friends. Aiden, five I can’t wait to go and see my Nona in Croatia, I really need a holiday! Malak, five I can’t wait to see my teacher and to share a carrot cake with her. William, five I want to go back to school to see and play with all of my friends. Ayan, five I can’t wait to go back to school. I miss my friends and the wobbly bridge in the playground. Maddie, seven I can’t wait to get together again with all of my friends. Annabelle, seven For me I can’t wait for after school activities to start again. I really miss sport. I miss going to the beach too. Tatiana, seven Mummy going back to the office, she is a very strict teacher!! Charbel, 11 I am going straight to SALT to have one of their burgers. I also can’t wait to watch a live magic show at the theatre and to go on a trip. Ethan, ten I can’t wait to see all of my friends again, I really miss them. Lana, eight II am looking forward to motiongate opening again, I can’t wait to go back and go on all the rides. 18 - 19_TOKU_1306_What kids want_11294090.indd 1927/05/2020 12:21:47Next >