How to entertain an 11 year old

RE*AC*TOR · 04-08-2004 04:25PM #1

My girlfriend is minding her little brother this weekend. He's staying with us for the weekend. I'm looking for suggestions for activities to keep him occupied. Any help - much appreciated.

Stephen · 04-08-2004 04:30PM

Got a playstation/xbox/gamecube? Sit him in front of that, should kill a few hours. The kid's parents may not approve. You could take him to a park or something if their is one nearby with a playground or anything like that for kids.

RE*AC*TOR · 04-08-2004 04:32PM

Stephen wrote:

Got a playstation/xbox/gamecube? Sit him in front of that, should kill a few hours. The kid's parents may not approve. You could take him to a park or something if their is one nearby with a playground or anything like that for kids.

No console - just a big expensive PC.
*slap* "don't touch"

Hello Kitty · 04-08-2004 04:34PM

The only thing I can think of is computer games!
When my cousin (whos 12) comes over thats all he plays.......

Twistedlilkitty · 04-08-2004 04:34PM

children love labour.....
and if they dont do the labour
threaten them with fire!!

cinema, or dvds.....or cheap tesco brand cider, 11 year olds love it.

Beruthiel · 04-08-2004 04:37PM

RE*AC*TOR wrote:

No console - just a big expensive PC.
*slap* "don't touch"

don't be so mean!
get a game for your PC, he's old enough not to break it

RE*AC*TOR · 04-08-2004 04:42PM

Beruthiel wrote:

don't be so mean!
get a game for your PC, he's old enough not to break it

I was only joking.
i have lots of PC games - probably not suitable for an 11 year old the concept is a bit complex or the content is unsuitable (eg Doom 3).
I used to have an xbox - and had him playing Halo - apparently he had nightmares afterwards.....

BEAT · 04-08-2004 04:42PM

games are generally what kids of that age will like, seriously, no game console? get urslef to a gameshop right away man!

If you wont let him play games on the pc then you may have to leave the house for some fun...go to a movie and an arcade.
Or rent some movies he will like and get a pizza!

Kids are easy to entertain, just ask him what he wants to do

yossarin · 04-08-2004 04:43PM

Find out from her what hes into and just cater to that. 11 year olds are unlikly to have interesting hobbies so it'll be somthing fairly generic.Movies or violent games are a good direction. better still - get him to bring his games console/warhammer set/17th Century lace doilies over with him, so he can do that in your downtime.

Finish the weekend by filling him full of coke and chocolate, and packing him off home just before it kicks in. That way he thinks you're a cool uncle type and you don't get asked again.

lee_baby_simms · 04-08-2004 04:45PM

i hear manhunt on the PS2 is good.

RE*AC*TOR · 04-08-2004 04:48PM

BEAT wrote:

....seriously, no game console? get urslef to a gameshop right away man!

had xbox and gamecube - they no longer interest me...

BEAT wrote:

If you wont let him play games on the pc...

i don't mind really - just don't think they're hugely suitable - plus there's the whole mouse keyboards coordination thing..

yossarin wrote:

Finish the weekend by filling him full of coke and chocolate, and packing him off home just before it kicks in. That way he thinks you're a cool uncle type and you don't get asked again.

you sir are a genius - will definetly do this (he's prone to getting car sick)

Nemici · 04-08-2004 04:51PM

a few DVD's of his choice should do the trick for a few hours.

Alternatively you could give him 8 litres of coke, a box of fireworks, and a blowtorch.

You are sure he will be entertained. (and maybe half the street as well)

yossarin · 04-08-2004 04:55PM

> i hear manhunt on the PS2 is good.

heh. make sure to leave your toolkit lying open.

Nala · 04-08-2004 05:01PM

Maybe try some good old-fashioned board games!
Monopoly can go on for hours...

Lainey · 04-08-2004 05:05PM

firstly, don't bring him to a park/playground unless you have a football.. he won't want swings.. remember he is a little man so basically will like what most other men like and prob yourself (except for the ladies).. i think dvds, junk food and ask him to bring his playstation with him is a great idea and hire out a game or two for him for the weekend.. boys his age are so easy to entertain really.. the best thing i give my son at the weekend is remote control power with pizza and coke..

yossarin · 04-08-2004 05:08PM

Monopoly is great only if you want to combine being horribly bored with being really angry.

It'd be a good game to play with an 11 year old as it allows you to decend to their emotional level of pettyness and boredom mixed with wanting the horrible ordeal to just end, please god just let it be over. You'll really emphasise with the little tikes feelings.

sorry, just don't like monopoly.

Sleepy · 04-08-2004 05:16PM

Guinness All Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final at Croke Park Sunday August 8th, Waterford v Kilkenny, 3.30pm. He'll love it and it ain't too expensive.

As far as I'm aware Extravision still rent consoles for the weekend and if they don't I'm sure he'll be okay to rent a few DVD's...

Bowling/Cinema/Quazar are all good craic for kids of any age...

Tellox · 04-08-2004 05:17PM

If you know an instrument, play a couple of songs for him on that. I always loved it when my aunt played guitar for me when I was that age..

cormie · 04-08-2004 05:23PM

How about something not involving electronics or junk food??
Take him for a cycle through some woods, light fires and cook some food in the woods. Get all mucky and have some fun!

Flukey · 04-08-2004 05:27PM

Lots of variety required. Indoor and outdoor activities. If the weather is suitable take him out and get him using a lot of energy, so that he will sleep that night. If you can, find something that you can enjoy doing too, which will make the chore of looking after him that bit easier. If you have a car at your disposal you could go off for the day and it will be interesting for you too. Good luck.

lee_baby_simms · 04-08-2004 05:28PM

Sleepy wrote:

Bowling/Cinema/Quazar are all good craic for kids of any age...

The aul Bowling/Cinema/Quazar combo! Unbeatable. I havent heard the term Quazar in years.

Knowing kids these days he'll probably start skinnin up and askin for bacardi breezers the minute he gets in the door.

peckerhead · 04-08-2004 05:37PM

cormie wrote:

How about something not involving electronics or junk food??

Jesus, man, get out a football, play three-an'-in and let him win...
(that's presuming you have a choice in the matter!) :eek:

Big Ears · 04-08-2004 05:39PM

Sleepy wrote:

Guinness All Ireland Hurling Championship semi-final at Croke Park Sunday August 8th, Waterford v Kilkenny, 3.30pm. He'll love it and it ain't too expensive.

the best idea so far .

does he like sports ? , you could always play a bit of soccer with him or something .

If he's got a playstation and likes soccer it would be well worth renting pro evoulution 3 .

lee_baby_simms · 04-08-2004 05:45PM

3 an in, headers and vollies, world cup...sure arent ye spoilt for choice.

For an old skool feel, go to a newsagent and buy one of those cheap 'Cup Champions' footballs that curl magically the opposite way. I hear theyre fantashtic.

Sleepy · 04-08-2004 06:08PM

Anything energetic is good, it'll mean more time alone with the girlfriend once he's tired

You could go camping, though he might love ya too much after something like that and keep trying to get his mother to dump him on ya.

Most importantly though is to do something you don't mind that much yourself.

monkeyfudge · 04-08-2004 07:25PM

The Dublin Wax Museum!

It's the best place ever for people of all ages...

man I love that place so much...

Oh wait... he's not a fat child is he? Because he won't have as much fun in the cool dark tunnels if he is...

Nala · 04-08-2004 07:29PM

Where is the Dublin Wax museum?

Oh I have another suggestion-bring him to the zoo! They've loads of new stuff, including newborn animals like the baby red panda.

Agent Smith · 04-08-2004 07:38PM

i'd go with the zoo, or cinama, a few good film's out now IE. shrek 2, spiderman, I-Robot...
to name a few

monkeyfudge · 04-08-2004 08:02PM

neev wrote:

Where is the Dublin Wax museum?

Oh I have another suggestion-bring him to the zoo! They've loads of new stuff, including newborn animals like the baby red panda.

Yes, but if it's raining.. and lets face it... it probably will be.. then the zoo will be terrible... and there is nothing more depressing than a soggy monkey.

The Wax Museum is just off Parnell Square, if you turn right after the Hugh Lane Gallery you can't miss it as it has big giant climbing up the front of the building.

I go about twice a year.. I'll be going for the second time this year next month. I can't wait!!!

jesus_thats_gre · 04-08-2004 08:33PM

The Zoo is dope man.. I am 24 and love a day in the Zoo.. You can't loose.. Or bring him somewhere with some cool big man stuff. Like planes or big **** off bridges

Flukey · 04-08-2004 09:40PM

€40 for a ticket to Croke Park on Sunday. €35 for Saturday. You'll get a refund for the child, but you have to ask for a childs ticket and pay the full value up front first. A great day's entertainment though. I'll be there!

How to entertain an 11 year old

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