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Leisure time, also spare time or free time, can be defined as time that is free from duties and responsibilities. With today’s high-paced lifestyle and most of us having to juggle work, family and many other responsibilities, it seems that there is never enough hours in the day to get everything done. Leisure time is usually the first to go.

However, it is extremely important that we make time to step away from our responsibilities and the things that constantly demand our attention every once in a while. Why is it important?

Firstly, leisure time gives you an opportunity to focus on yourself. We are usually so focused on giving to others and looking after their needs that we forget about ourselves. When we take time for ourselves though, we have an opportunity to reconnect with what makes us happy. It gives us the balance needed to deal with all the other non-leisure activities.

Secondly, it provides relief from the ever present stressors in our lives. Stress is a huge energy sapper and has a damaging effect on the body. Leisure time promotes better emotional and physical health and ultimately enables us to perform better when it matters.

Finally, it can expand our horizons. Many leisure activities, such as joining a club, volunteering or pursuing a hobby, will introduce you to new people and experiences. You will learn new things and gain valuable insights.

It’s up to you how you spend your leisure time. However, don’t make it another item on your to do-list. It should be something that you enjoy and look forward to. Following are some suggestions on how you could disengage from your everyday responsibilities:

• Volunteer

Volunteering brings enormous benefits to yourself and to others. It is a hugely fulfilling way to give back to the community and gives you an opportunity to focus on something you truly believe in. Some ideas for volunteering include helping in a soup kitchen, working at an animal shelter, making your skills available to a charity or other non-profit organisation, or joining a conservation crew.

• Learn something new

Whether it is a foreign language, playing an instrument, cooking or even ballroom dancing, learning a new skill is a very rewarding past-time. It not only allows you to indulge in your passion, but gaining a new skill could even improve your career prospects.

• Indulge in a hobby

Hobbies give you the opportunity to expand your knowledge, improve skills and be focused. Anyone who has ever been engrossed in building a puzzle or a model of some sort, or creating something with their hands will know how time flies when you’re focused on your project.

• Cultivate spirituality

Spirituality should not be confused with religion, although both ultimately serve the same purpose: to reflect, unwind, think about the bigger picture and life’s purpose. Being spiritual is part of being human and is an aspect of our lives which should never be neglected.

Holidays can be nightmares for both moms and kids alike. The initial thrill of not having to go to school quickly fades and those dreaded words “I’m bored” becomes the holiday mantra.

However, with a little bit of creativity and a lot of enthusiasm, entertainment for kids could be as entertaining for the rest of the household.

1. Get them baking

Baking is something both boys and girls can enjoy. There are lots of simple recipes for them to try, which don’t necessarily have to include the oven or sharp knives. They could also try making their own meals – breakfast or lunch are both good options. Let them experiment with creating their own sandwich fillings, jazzing up their breakfast cereal with fresh and dried fruits, yoghurt or seeds, or coming up with interesting pancake fillings. In addition to the entertainment value, they will also learn about good nutrition.

2. Blowing bubbles

Make your own bubble blowing mixture by mixing half a cup of dish-washing liquid, five cups of water (distilled is best) and two tablespoons of glycerine. Pour into storage containers and leave overnight to blend. Loop some wire (garden wire is perfectly fine) into home-made bubble wands. Pipe cleaners work too, but can get soggy.

3. Release your child’s inner hippy

Tie-dying is fun and can give old clothes a new lease on life. It’s also a great way to keep kids entertained. Gather up, fold and tie a T-shirt, or other item of clothing with rubber bands or string and leave to soak in fabric dye. Kids will love the fact that they have “created” their own clothes, plus the entertainment value once the new item is revealed in all its glory is pretty high.

4. Go camping

If the idea of exchanging your comfortable bed for a sleeping bag on the ground leaves you in a cold sweat, why not just leave the camping to the kids? Gather lots of old blankets, sheets and pillows and let them build a tent or fort outside in the garden. Pack them a fun, nutritious picnic and they are guaranteed to be outside for most of the day.

5. Scavenger hunt

Hide a few odd and interesting items around the house and garden. Write down clues to help them find the items. If they find all the items, they win a prize! Keep children’s ages and abilities in mind when writing clues and hiding items.

6. Put on a play

Help your kids think of a few ideas for a play (acting out a favourite story is always popular) and let them discover their thespian side. Provide clothes for dressing up in and a few props and let the fun begin!

7. Fun and games

Don’t underestimate the entertainment value of good old-fashioned card and board games. Teach your kids the card games that you loved as a child, or get the whole family involved in one of the many fun board games around.

8. A learning experience

Spending a rainy day in one of South Africa’s many fascinating museums and science centres will not only entertain kids, but will no doubt be a valuable learning experience as well. Some of the best include the South African National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg, McGregor Museum in Kimberley, the National Museum in Bloemfontein, the Two Oceans Aquarium and Cape Town Science Centre in Cape Town.

9. A puzzling experience

Puzzles are a great way to keep children entertained. There are a huge range of puzzles to choose from; from the traditional picture puzzles, to word puzzles, math puzzles and crossword puzzles. Apart from the fun factor, it will also be a great brain workout.

1. Catch a movie

A funny movie with a big bowl of popcorn will always score high on the entertainment chart. Let your children bring a friend and maybe give another mom a break and a little time for herself.