Getting Together

 To finish off this month the bites return to the idea of doing 'stuff' together and being social.

As the nights draw in it's good to have some fun in company. I've mentioned playing games before, but recently we've had a couple of sessions with little outlay, no technology and time to gather with others.

Month 10 - Bite 28

A Sunday session of a numbers game which usually leads to hilarity (and a ruthlessness that I don't always associate with particular people) was a welcome diversion from TV and the (at the moment largely depressing) news.

I've also enjoyed breaking up a never-ending train journey being taught some new (to me) by a five-year-old - so you're never too old to learn or young to teach it would seem!

Just two ways of enjoying ourselves with no energy expenses...

Month 10 - Bite 29

It was nice to be able to answer a call for help from a neighbour. We live in a really friendly neighbourhood with lots of very talented and skilled people who are always willing to help - today was my turn. A neighbour has got a new printer and is having a bit of a time of it getting it up and running. In a former life I was the ICT person in school and so am used to trying to figure out how to get recalcitrant tech to do its job. So I've had a phone call to help and I'm only too happy to - I certainly owe her for the stream of dolls that keep coming my way from her grandchildren for my nieces' girls!

This give and take is a good way of saving cash between ourselves so I'm off for a cup of tea and a rummage through an instruction book and (I guess) a tussle with her router.

Month 10 - Bite 30

We've been chatting among ourselves around here about who can do what and how they can offer help. None of us want to deny work to specialists, but many little jobs, like my computer help yesterday, are almost impossible to get someone out to see to, or require booking a paid-for chunk of time for something simple from someone at a huge (or so it seems) cost. Where one of our neighbours has a profession - like the plumber across the road - we wouldn't dream of asking him to repair anything without proper recompense. However, helping each other with anything from putting up some shelves to checking brake lights on a car and saving a trip to a repair shop or paying for a worker in times like these makes sense. So it's time to start recognising the skills that we can offer each other....

Take Flight

 Month 8 - Bite 27

Do you possess a kite? When was the last time you tried flying it? Today could be a day to try it out. Find yourself some space and a bit of breeze then go for it. Round here kite surfing is pretty big, it might be an option for a taster for you too. Anyway that you try it you'll find that wind and flight can be exhilarating and exhausting at the same time. All that running back and forth to launch the flight along with the concentration needed to keep it airborne might even bring about a good night's sleep!

If you don't have a kite look around for materials you have at home to make one. Traditional stick, paper and string versions have been tried and tested over the years, but you can experiment with other, free household materials. What about a plastic carrier bag with string tied to the handles and then attached to a long 'leader' length of string?

Whatever materials you choose, remember to pick them up at the end of the game, especially if the kite finally falls apart and take the bits home. No litter now!

Month 8 - Bite 28

There are, of course, some real flight experts around. There are regular bird watch and bird counts run regionally and nationally. Check out the details for a chance to contribute to the numbers of specific species.

If there isn't one running, create one of your own where you live. There will be plenty for you to spot, record and identify... another trip to the library perhaps for the information. Although you could research online too and see if you can find some audio clips to recognise their calls and songs.

Some will be welcome visitors

While others may be more annoying!

But record them all!

Bored or Board?

Month 8 - Bite 11

Search out some free entertainment online that doesn't involve computer games!

There's always times during the school breaks (and at weekends come to that) when there's a need for sit down and do something calm! It's good to have a change from frenetic activity or to have something up your sleeve for days with poorer weather or when everyone fancies flopping about at home.

Have a session of surfing the web, not for cutesy videos of other people's pets or numberless gaming apps to use up your tablet's memory, but for downloadables. There's so much available whether that's quiz sheets, colouring pages, games to cut out and play..... Spend some time having a search and printing some examples off.

Be careful though... you won't want to wildly print off pages and pages of stuff which could a) waste paper and resources if it's not used or b) adds to piles of clutter about the place. Be selective about what you need right now and save other material in a folder for printing as needed at a later date.

With some of the materials you might find you only use one side of the paper, well, save it and print on the reverse next time.

With some of the downloads you could make it a paired or team activity and only print one copy.. just saying!

Month 8 - Bite 12

When I was little we always got a compedium of games either at Christmas or for birthdays. I well remember my mild dad becoming a ruthless hunter during ludo! My husband's family spent many hours playing Touring England - we now have our own game of it with a trophy to play for... There are the perennials too, of course, Scrabble, Mastermind and Monopoly (that often had to left out overnight as we never seemed to finish it.

What's in your cupboard? Have you any old favourites from your past that you haven't introduced your youngsters to? If you don't have any try a look around a charity shop or two to see what they have. 

It'll be interesting to see how individuals develop their own game playing characteristics once you get started.

Month 8 - Bite 13

After all that competition it's time for sharing an experience together. Try a film night, complete with popcorn and ice cream.

There will be plenty of films (or maybe some DVDs if you still have the machinery) to stream - even on free to view platforms. Or you could splash out on an old film you enjoyed in the past and see what the younger members of the family think about it.

Set the scene at home with low lighting and a quick 'speech' or 'trailer' about why the film is your choice. You might even make tickets to be exchanged for front row seating!!

Don't forget to ask your band of film reviewers/critics what they thought of the movie at the end....

 

Playing Outside

 Month 8 - Bite 8

Time to get outside - as long as the weather is on your side, although a little drizzle never hurt anyone... much.

Are there any local sports' facilities that are offering free taster sessions? Do a bit of research online to check it out. There will be some teams and organisations that are recruiting new members by throwing their doors open. See if there's anything your crew would like to try. Many of these will be advertised online or in the local press or down at the library so why not take a look?

Month 8 - Bite 9

When was the last time you visited your local park?

We're lucky round here. As well as the usual swings and grassy areas there are tennis courts, mini golf, a skateboard arena and an outdoor gym. Do you know what's on offer near you? Getting out in the fresh air is good for all of you, especially as (generally) whooping around and letting off steam is easier in open areas.

Phone round and see if one or two friends want to meet up and have a play together. Take some snacks and drinks with you and it shouldn't cost much at all.

Month 8 - Bite 10

In all that sorting out did you uncover a ball, racket, bat, or any such thing? You could all play a ball game together today. It could be a traditional game that you all know the rules for, or you could invent your own... With some improvised skittles (plastic milk cartons) or obstacles to go round or through (chair legs, rope laid on the ground) you can make up your own games and rules based on the number of players, time and space available and the skill set of those taking part!