Kirsten O'Brien
Finding ways to entertain the little ones while the summer holiday loom can be pretty challenging, especially in these recession times. Luckily SMart presenter and general arts and crafts genius Kirsten O'Brien is on hand to help you come up with a kid-proof plan!
Hi Kirsten how are you?
Very well thank you!
Have you been up to anything exciting recently?
I am currently judging the Beefeater Children’s Drawing competition. Children are encouraged to send in a drawing of their animal character design and the best entry will join the jungle gang and appear on all Beefeater Children’s menus throughout the UK. The winner will also win an all expenses family trip to Longleat Safari Park.
What do you think are the best indoor and outdoor activities for keeping children entertained over the summer break?
Arts and crafts are a great way to keep kids’ entertained. It opens up their creativity and is perfect for a rainy day. Bring colouring books, paper and colouring pens to the park or beach as these will come in very handy for when the kids’ are exhausted from running around and need some down time. Also take a ball. There are so many games you can play with just one ball and this way you can travel light.
We're going through a bit of a hard financial time at the moment so how can parents keep kids happy without spending too much money?
Painting, drawing and colouring are perfect, inexpensive ways to stay entertained during the recession. Pads of paper, colouring pencils and crayons can be purchased from your local art shop, supermarket and even corner shop. Old magazines, newspapers and empty food and drinks cartons can be cut up and used for art materials. Be imaginative!
Are there any activities parents can do with their children to help them bond?
There are lots of activities to help parents bond with their children. By suggesting a topic for your child to draw such as holidays, seasons, animals or family and then admiring their work when they have finished, encourages interaction and conversation. Alternatively, read with your child and then encourage them to illustrate the novel. This will engage them more with the story, teach them to interpret it and they’ll be delighted to show you their creations.
Do you think getting children involved with indoor activities like arts and crafts is just as important as playing outdoor games?
Both are very important activities. Physical exercise is vital to a child’s daily routine. But being able to entertain themselves through art helps stimulate their mind, improve their concentration and makes them more creative.
How did you get involved with SMart?
I was working on CBBC in the broomcupboard and Josie D’Arby was leaving SMart so I was asked to audition. I had to create a piece of art to demonstrate at the audition so I made a set of swishing cardboard curtains that sit in front of your computer. When you were finished working on your PC you could theatrically pull the curtains closed - totally impractical but they looked great and I got the job!
Have you always been interested in art?
I have always been very crafty, I used to make tissue box houses and photo frames from fabric when I was younger which my Mum taught me how to make as she was great at sewing. I would make my own Christmas cards (and still do!) and my friend and I once had a craft stall for a week when we were at college selling earrings and other crafts that we’d made. Sadly we only made enough each day to cover the cream buns we liked to scoff whilst sitting on the stall all day! On the fine art side of things I got an A grade in art at G.C.S.E and won a few regional competitions with pictures I’d done (I was very proud once when a piece of my work went on display in a Middlesbrough art gallery!) I enjoy painting in watercolour and I collect Mackenzie Thorpe pictures as he’s my favourite artist.
Have you got any new projects coming up?
As well as the Beafeater Children’s Drawing Competition I’m filming the new series of Gimme A Break for CBBC - it’s fun letting the kids take charge of the family holiday although scary for Mum and Dad when they see what their children have packed for them! I’m also still doing the Big Toe Radio Show on BBC Radio 7 and looking forward to what they tell us is going to be a long hot summer!
Tagged in Parenting