Autumn is well underway; the mild sun and frequent breeze accompany our days, which are often marked by a heavy routine, even if summer memories haven’t completely left us yet. We’d all love to go back, ideally to the beginning of June, to walk on the scorching sand and sip a nice cocktail by the pool. Unfortunately, though, we’ll have to wait until next year, but in the meantime, I’m suggesting some creative activities suitable for all of you, to do with your children during babysitting afternoons, or even in the company of friends. It’s fundamentally important, in this somewhat gloomy and sometimes dark month, to wear your best smile to engage the people around you with great enthusiasm.
Ideas for the little ones
I suggest starting to think about the most famous and popular holiday in the entire UK: Halloween. In exactly 19 days, it will be time to show off your scariest mask and wear a spooky outfit for the famous ritual of “trick or treat?” For those who don’t know, it involves heading into dark and scary streets, knocking door to door to receive some tasty treats. What better way to get into the magical and mysterious atmosphere than by starting to create real decorations with your children? I did it, and it was an activity that involved the whole family; real teamwork. You don’t need much material; in fact, you can recycle objects like bottles, plastic caps, and cardboard boxes to create spiders, ghosts, skeletons, cauldrons, and magic potions. It will be fun to decorate the house with your masterpieces. Here is a very reliable site that offers over a hundred suggestions: Halloween decorations.
A second, rather original idea could be to head out with your children to an open space like a small wood or a park. The task will be to collect colorful dry leaves, acorns, walnuts, pieces of wood, branches, pine cones, pebbles, flowers, and other elements of nature to then create woodland animals once you’re back home. There are two options, both really engaging: you can either create actual models of squirrels, birds, and turtles, or make greeting cards or postcards on sturdy paper. I’m sure that with a pinch of imagination, you’ll definitely be able to help them using the resources you’ve found. I’ve attached some quick and easy examples: DIY autumn.
For a rainy or boring afternoon, the best way to cheer everyone up at home is to bake a nice cake. This is apple season, a fruit that, for me, once it’s on the table, makes me realize that autumn has truly arrived. Here’s a really easy recipe that requires few ingredients. Get the little ones involved by giving them tasks like washing the fruit, cutting it into small pieces, or sprinkling the icing sugar once it’s out of the oven. A nice slice along with some orange juice will bring a smile back to everyone. Here you go, grandma’s apple cake.
For Au Pairs in Hampshire and the surrounding areas, I suggest three super fun activities I did with my host family: head to Colden Common, where the famous Scarecrow Festival is held every year. It consists of a trail through the greenery in search of some really funny scarecrows. Checking the website, I saw that the Festival will be held this Saturday, October 10th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Don’t miss the chance to take part in a hilarious event that involves the whole family. Another particularly charming place that Edward and Abigail (my little rascals) enjoyed is near Ringwood, specifically Moors Valley where, together with your kids, you can enjoy walks among wooden structures and very tall trees with suspended trails suitable for all ages. The tourist attraction that draws thousands of visitors is called Go Ape!
The final suggestion is a walk in the New Forest, a huge national park where you can admire breathtaking landscapes thanks to the presence of wild horses! Head to Brockenhurst or Beaulieu, where excellent pubs will welcome you for a roast dinner, or visit a super cute cafe for an Afternoon Tea with friends.
Au pairs: suggestions for days off
Visiting the main cities of the UK is the ultimate goal for all au pairs; in fact, besides having vacation weeks set by contract, you have two full days off per week to dedicate to yourselves. Thanks to the possibility of using domestic flights and finding really cheap accommodation, leaving on Friday evening and returning on Sunday afternoon has become a habit for many of you. I’ll introduce you to three cities rich in history and culture that particularly fascinated me:
the first of all is Stratford-Upon-Avon, which as you well know, is the childhood home of the famous playwright Shakespeare. Here, you can find The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Anne Hathaway’s Cottage (Shakespeare’s birthplace), and many other similar attractions.
Moving completely to the southwest instead, Cornwall awaits you with its cliffs overlooking the sea, brownish sands, and surfers always ready to catch the best wave. You can start from various points in London and reach one of the main cities by train, then move around using local transport. Once you arrive, you absolutely cannot miss the wonderful fishing village of Porthtowan near St. Ives. There is a special pub there: Blue Bar, dominated by the color blue: blue chairs, blue aprons, blue benches. The sea is the master of the house and takes the place of honor. I often sat near the large window overlooking the beach, especially at sunset when, cold and with the smell of salt on my skin, I admired the powerful and immense horizon. Blue Bar is the meeting point at the end of the day for both the little ones and the older ones. The pool table, jazz music, and occasional themed nights were the daily bread of the locals who lived their days to the fullest, meeting new people from all over the world.
Last but not least is Nottingham, a mainly industrial city but rich in history thanks to the stories of the legendary Robin Hood, the one who stole from the rich to give to the poor. The famous Sherwood Forest is populated by enormous oaks that keep the secret of the legendary hero who made history. Every year, at the end of July, many children have fun with bows and arrows in the middle of the evocative nature.
For Au Pairs in Hampshire and the surrounding areas, Salisbury, Winchester, and Southampton are just a step away. Shopping centers, restaurants, historical monuments, and curiosities await you. Convenient buses can take you to your destination. One every half hour.
I remind you all of the email address scrivimiaupair@libero.it to contact for more details. I would be very happy to receive many accounts of your experience! I’ll be waiting for you, until next time. V.
