How to entertain children from 8 to 12 years old?

There are loads you can do from arts & crafts to more intensive activities that require little to no money. Here are my suggestions:

• Painting (a little bit of messy art if you can handle it!). You can do paint throwing or get them to paint balloons, canvases etc
• Treasure Hunt - draw and map and put in some clues and be sure to give them a good reward for finding the treasure afterwards.
• Crafts - lots of fun stuff you can make with things you can find at home (toilet paper roll, cans, plastic, paper)
• Teach them how to play a music instrument
• Take them to the park, museum or just a nature walk
• Cooking can be great fun as well. A bit of colouring to the food prepared and the kids will love it even better.

If you want the kids to have a great time, then you'll need to get involved in the activities as much as they are. This way they'll show a greater interest in whatever they're doing.

Like Gices said arts and crafts are the best thing to entertain little ones, let them go wild and use their imagination. Children should be children and play outside not stuck indoors playing video games and watching TV.

Although my little one is much younger (18 months)she loves messy play outside, water is her favourite and playing with chalk by drawing on the walls and ground. Here is a good site I found that will come in handy in a few years. My favourites are science experiments such as making your own bouncing balls and egg experiments entertain little ones The site is not very user friendly but if you have the time to search it, there are loads of great ideas.