5 clever ways to keep your kids entertained if you have to take them to work.

Can you feel that?

Yes… it’s officially school holidays. You’re as excited as the kids… no more uniforms and homework and lunches. You all need a break.

But, it’s not quite the same sense of relief if you’re a working parent – especially if you work in an office. It’s hard enough to try to get things done if you work from home, but at least, your kids are in their own environment. But what about those working mums and dads who have jobs in offices? What are the kids going to do in your workplace for eight hours?

For so many parents, the juggle is real. Which is why we’ve put together a list of things your kids can do when you’re trying to hold down a job during the school holidays.

1. The work experience kid.

Taking your children to the office is a brilliant chance to show them what you do – and that also means, getting them to do some of it, just like the work experience kid.

Does the office kitchen need cleaning? Is there shredding or photocopying to be done? Do things on your desk need to be sorted out and put away? Is there mail to be distributed?

The other thing you can do is get your kid to talk to your colleagues (in short bursts) about their jobs, so they get an understanding of how the office works – just as a work experience kid would.

2. Give them a research project.

Have your kids been asking to go to tennis lessons? Or even the movies that night? Task them with the job of working out the details and presenting the information to you.

You could even identify a news story that day, or a general topic of interest, which would interest them, and ask them to research and write about it.

A research project is one way of making their inevitable screen time a little more constructive than just watching unboxing videos on YouTube.

3. Old-school activities.

Investing in a new Lego set for them to construct, a Play-Do kit, or a puzzle, is a great way to get their faces out of the phones – and use their imagination and creative skills for a bit.

All of those activities are quiet, mess-free, and engaging – and easy for them to come back to after a break.

They’ll also have the satisfaction of having something to show for a ‘day’s work’.

4. Get them to run errands.

5. Let them record the day.

Kids of all ages love cameras - so get them to use their phones, or bring along the family camera, and take photos of the special things which happen that day. It might not feel exactly 'special' at the time, but a photo with mum at her desk, or on a lunch break together, will be priceless in years to come.

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