Liz Sunshine on Her Favourite Ways to Keep Kids Entertained

We caught up with the photographer and mother of 2 on how she’s beating boredom this school holidays and beyond.

If you’re a parent, chances are the word ‘juggle’ has taken on a whole new meaning in the last 18 months. For so many, daily life has grown to include a blur of homeschooling and childcare, all while working from the dining room table. While the school holidays offer a slight relief of holding down the homeschooling fort, the need to entertain the little ones takes on an added pressure.

As a working mum of 2, photographer Liz Sunshine knows the juggle all too well. Having her hands full with Poppy (2) and Harry (6), the arrival of school holidays signals a time to shake up the schedule. From easy baking hacks to activities that inspire creativity, read on to discover her favourite ways to keep the kids happy.

When it comes to cooking, Liz’s love of sweets has undeniably been passed on to the kids. “On holidays we have what feels like a daily bake-off of cupcakes and cakes,” says Liz, pointing out that right now, Harry and Poppy’s favourite recipe is vanilla cake with sprinkles or chocolate brownies. For the baking magic without the fuss, take the pressure off with a classic baking mix. Easy and efficient, simple recipes lend themselves to the best canvases for decoration while child-friendly bakeware minimises the mess as much as possible.

With Harry a lover of all things Lego, Liz looks to the classics when it comes to keeping him engaged and entertained at home; “If he had it his way, we would be doing Lego family challenges everyday – where you take all the broken-down sets and build them together from your imagination.” Diving into the pages of next-generation books offer a similar escape. From tales of two fabulous frogs to messages that centre on the idea that the world is more beautiful when our differences are celebrated, there’s something for every kind of imagination.

While Harry is busy building his world, Liz’s daughter Poppy is growing into her own. “Both kids are really different so it keeps holidays interesting,” says Liz, “Poppy loves anything where she can pretend to be a grown-up. She likes to pretend she’s going to the shops, making coffee, playing mums and dads, at work, or on the phone.” Creating a space for their creativity to take centre stage makes for an easy way to fill the days. Think eco-friendly tea sets and intriguing toys that promise to keep their little minds busy for hours on end.

With spring comes sunshine and a welcome return to more time spent outdoors. Whether you’re headed to the sandpit or hanging out on the balcony, fresh toys that put an added emphasis on fun are an easy way to maximise the daylight hours. If you’re looking for some excitement, Games’ Foosketball takes the cake. A combination of foosball and basketball, it’s engaging set-up will keep siblings or friends captivated.