You are already half way through the dreaded summer holidays so good job for that. However, with halfway still to go you may be wondering what else you can do with the children to keep them entertained. If you have gone through your fair share of coffee machine pods then you may need to get the children out of the house a bit more! I thought I would put together a nice list of things to do, just incase some families are still in need of some inspiration. It’s also a nice little check list for me. There are plenty of ideas in the article below to keep you going for the next three weeks.
Museum Trips
If your children are a fan of all things based around history, art, or science then they might enjoy a day out to a local museum. If you are lucky enough to live near the natural history museum then your children can dive into learning about dinosaurs, fossils, and life cycles. Arrange a day to fit in the museum or even museums of your children’s choice. Remember to set your children a budget if you decide to let them roam the gift shops, these can become expensive.
Hit The Beach
Do your children love nothing more than splashing around in the sea or building sand castles? If so then why not arrange a day trip to the beach. Do your research on this one as you don’t want to end up at a rubbish beach or one that is deemed too dangerous to swim at. You don’t want to get there simply to turn back around again and come home. You could also make a little mini trip if you wanted to, visiting a few different beaches while you are away from home.
Watch A Movie
Are you looking for something to do on a chilled out day. There may be some points during the summer when you and the kids just want to stay indoors and not do very much. A movie day is great for this as you can take it in turns to choose what to watch. Don’t worry you don’t have to be stuck watching the same Disney movie over and over. If you don’t want to stay at home then you could also head to your local cinema. During the summer there are some cool movie releases, Minions is one example of this. Grab the kids some popcorn and yourself a drink then settle in to watch some of the best kids films.
Go To The Park
A nice free day out that won’t cost you a penny? If you like the sound of that then the kids will too, a trip to the park is all they need to burn off that excess energy. Better yet, if the park is near where your children go to school then they may bump into some of their friends. They can keep each other entertained while you chill out and catch some rays on the grass. Make sure to keep a close eye out though, you don’t want any injuries or lost children.
Play In The Garden
If you don’t want to leave the house or the weather is saying rain then how about you stay home. There are plenty of things to do that can keep the kids entertained. While it is nice you could send them outside to play on equipment such as slides or to simply kick a ball about the old fashioned way. Anything out in the garden is better than having their heads in technology all day long. If the weather is looking nice and it is going to stay that way then you could get the kids a mini pool. This is a fantastic way to cool off during the heat of summer.
Arts & Crafts
Do your children love getting messy and creating new things? If the answer is yes then you could spend a couple of hours making and crafting different things. You might have relatives with birthdays coming up so making homemade cards could be on the table. Children enjoy making things for loved ones, it is always more special and thoughtful. If you don’t have everything you need then a quick drive to the local store will solve all your isssues.
Baking
Instead of making cards, how about you guys all band together and make some cakes? If you have a love of all things baking then you may be wanting to pass your culinary skills on to your children. Cooking and baking are life skills that every child should learn. What if there is no bread in the local shop one day, if your children know how to make it then they don’t have to stress. start with simple things and different techniques. Cupcakes are always a great option when the kids are around.
Build Forts
If you are a mum to boisterous children then they will love building forts and dens with you. Whip out the bed sheets and duvet covers to use and lay them out over chairs or sofas. They make great reading nooks or somewhere your children can have some quiet time. You can build them in the communal areas of the home or in the kids bedrooms, whichever they prefer. You can also get den and fort kits for the garden. They slot together and then you lay the thick sheeting over the top.
Attend Sports Clubs
If there are some days during the summer holidays when you have to work then you may be trying to find childcare for your children. Sports clubs are a great alternative to day cares and your child’s primary school might offer this. Take a look at what sports clubs are on offer in the local area. Make sure it is something that your child wants to do as they may not be cheap. The greatest things about sports clubs is that your child can meet new friends and play with existing ones. Check if you are entitled to any help paying for these as some parents and families will qualify.
Arrange Playdates
Another option for the summer holidays is to arrange playdates with your child’s friends. If you and the other parents are on a group chat then you can arrange many things over the holidays. You could take it in turns to host at your homes for instance with all the children playing together. Alternatively, some of their friends may have parents who work so you offer to look after them during the day. Play dates don’t just have to happen in your homes, they can be done absolutely anywhere from the park to the local soft play.
Go On Holiday
Finally, with only a few weeks remaining you may be wishing you could jet off with the kids. Holidays during the summer holidays can be quite pricey, however, there are also some good deals to be found. If you are not fussy about where you go or where you stay then you could save a lot of money. Being frugal while on holiday means you have more money to put towards other things, excursions perhaps. Make sure you read reviews before you decide as you don’t want to get ill or injured while abroad.
We hope you found this article helpful and that it gave you the inspiration you needed to get through the rest of the summer holidays. You and the kids are doing a great job and remember, creating long lasting memories is what the summer is for.
