For all those who pitch in to help with childcare during the summer holidays, it can be a real challenge to keep children busy.
And difficult to keep it from costing a fortune too.
Together with my little helpers, we have come up with 20 ideas for fun and purse-friendly activities for summer.
Enjoy your fun-packed summer!
- On a sunny day and using an old oilcloth tablecloth or plastic sheet, create a garden ‘slide’ with water and washing up liquid.
- Find out what exhibitions are on at your local museums, art galleries or National Trust properties and choose your favourite. Find museums near you on Museums UK and fun places to visit on National Trust.
- Create your own artwork or sculpture inspired by your visit. Be as creative as possible with colour and materials.
- Travel by train somewhere new (if you get a Friends & Family railcard, this reduces the cost).
- Create an obstacle course in the garden.
- Climb a hill and take a photograph at the top.
- Create a mosaic collage of the picture taken above using different coloured papers and/or cuttings from magazines.
- Have a board games tournament. One of our new favourites is Genius Squares – it’s kept my children (and me!) amused for ages and you can’t beat the old favourite Cranium.
- Play tennis or badminton at your local park/leisure centre.
- Ride bikes along quiet local roads or paths and reward yourselves with an ice cream from a shop on route.
11. Make Chocolate Apples: add a lolly stick to small apples and coat in melted chocolate.
12. Take a picnic to the seaside. Paddle amongst the waves, play ball, balance stones, create sand sculpture and look for life in rockpools.
13. Paint faces with a festival vibe.
14. Take part in the Summer Reading Challenge at your local library.
15. Put on their favourite tunes and get household chores done together.
16. Draw ‘alien animals’: each person has a piece of paper. Start by drawing hair/hat then fold over to hide it and pass on, then draw a head etc. Laugh at what curious creatures you create when you unfold each piece of paper.
17. Create a pot or hanging basket and encourage them to water it and deadhead the flowers over the summer.
18. Contact your local leisure centre to find out about their planned summer events. They often hold sports activity days and fun swims during the holidays.
19. Snuggle under a blanket together and watch your favourite family film.
20. Make Rocky Road Cookies (recipe below).
Rocky Road Cookies
A sweet, chocolatey treat and an excellent one to get the kids involved with!
Have a wonderful time creating lasting memories!
Head of Dairy Diary; I’m passionate about producing high quality products that our customers will cherish. I’m also a mum of three and I enjoy cooking, walking, gardening and art with my family, as well as lino printing (if I find time!)
