Keeping children entertained during the summer holidays can be difficult…here’s a few ideas :-
Going out and about
During the school holidays, there may be lots going on in your local area that your family can enjoy, often for free. Check the websites of your local council and tourist information centres for local days out, or check the local papers and community centres to see what’s going on in your area. Visit your local library and look for adverts of events. Many libraries hold events such as story time and arts and crafts days. Libraries are also a great source of activity in themselves, with plenty of books and computers to keep children busy.
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Check to see if your local council swimming pool offers free or reduced-fee entrance in the school holidays – perfect in this hot weather
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Museums and galleries often have new exhibitions and events running in the summer. Many art galleries put on special events for children and families – this could be just the thing to stimulate your child’s artistic streak
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Check out your local leisure centre – there are plenty of indoor sports and activities they can participate in
Staying at home
Of course, on some days, you will find yourselves at home, but that doesn’t mean anyone has to be bored.
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Arrange a movie day – choose a couple of favourite films, get some popcorn and put your feet up with the kids… maybe even invite some of their friends
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Get cooking – pick a recipe with the kids, go shopping for the ingredients and cook something together that you can all enjoy eating afterwards
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Dig out the long forgotten puzzles, games and books and give them a go
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Have a look in your cupboards and let them play dressing up with your old clothes
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Encourage them to put on a play or a magic show. They could even use the dressing up clothes and props from around the house. If you have a camera, you can even film it
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Help them to build a den – if the weather is ok, you could even risk doing this outside! Utilize boxes, sofa cushions, blankets etc. and they can eat in there too
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Create a scrapbook together using photos from your family album…or better still, go through all the old photos that are lying around in a box and get the kids to paste them in a book
The great outdoors (and the garden!)
Sunny days are great for simple activities like picnics and ball games. This can be done as close to home as in the back garden!
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Organise a treasure hunt around your home and garden with clues and treats for the children to find
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Hold your own mini Olympics with games that require little equipment… a sack race with pillowcases, a tug of war with a dressing gown belt!
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If you have a tent, you could arrange a camping trip in your garden with the children for one night!
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Kites are great if it is a windy day and they can be bought from bargain shops very cheaply
Making your own fun
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Be creative – make things together like greeting cards or use beads to make some jewellery
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Have an arts and craft day and get some canvas and paints, they can be bought in bargain shops for as little as a pound and use paints or crayons
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Make a list of your favourite childhood games – hopscotch, putting on a show or setting up a shop and it won’t cost the earth
Getting ready to go back to school
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Get out all the old pencil cases with crayons etc. and get them to sharpen them all as well as clearing out their school bags
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Look early for all their new school uniform…there’s some great bargains to be had early on
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Go for new school shoes now to make sure you get their sizes in the styles they want…there might be some sales on too
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If your children are moving schools, do some dummy runs to see how long it will take whether taking the car, walking or riding their bicycles
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!