The summer holidays are fast approaching! The kids will be off school and it’s your job to keep them entertained for 6 weeks straight – no pressure. Of course, you want to make the most of your time with them and make some special memories too. We’ve came up with a list things to do in the summer holidays that will keep the kids entertained and keep you sane.
We understand that the cost of living crisis has had a big impact on families. From food to energy, it seems like the cost of everything is going up. That’s why we’ve came up with some free things to do in the summer holidays, so you can still enjoy yourselves without spending money.
It’s often the simple things that we remember most from our childhood, like having a kick about at the park with our friends. Take the kids to the park and let them run free this summer. You could even take a picnic and make a day of it. And the best part is, it’s all free!
Remember how exciting it was to camp out when you were younger? Let the kids camp in the garden and give them a night to remember! Even better – let them set up the tent themselves and it’ll kill a couple of hours during the day too. Fuel them up on snacks, sweets and chocolate – it is the summer holidays after all!
Get out of the house and go exploring. We’re lucky to live in such a beautiful, green country, with wonderful walks all around. Walking keeps the kids active and also helps them to appreciate the world around them. To find your nearest walk, simply search ‘walks near me’ and lots of options will come up. If hills and waterways are too much for you, you could just walk around your local park instead.
The library is an often untapped resource in the summer holidays. A library card is free and kids can pick books, CDs and DVDs to take home and keep them entertained. Libraries also host a lot of free activities, like story time, talks and even archaeology sessions for dino-mad kids. Check your local library website to see what’s coming up.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they may also be entitled to a free place at a summer holiday’s club. You can ask your child’s school to check for you. These holiday clubs keep children active throughout the 6 week break, as well as providing a healthy, nutritious meal. Clubs do everything from football to theatre. Check the clubs available and ask which one they would like to go to.
6 weeks is a long time to fill, so the first time you hear the words ‘I’m bored’, check out our list of things to do in the summer holidays. We’ve got ideas that will only take a few hours or fill the whole day. We’ve got handy tips to save money on trips as well.
The 6 week summer holidays are the perfect time for kids to learn to swim, especially if you’ve booked a holiday later in the summer. Sign your kids up at Splash and we’ll have them swimming in no time! We have swimming lessons for all ages and abilities. If your kids can already swim, then why don’t you hire the pool for a private swim? Just you and the kids splashing around, having fun! Call Splash on 01254 679828 to book.
Oh I do like to be beside the seaside! A visit to the seaside is one of our favourite things to do in the summer holidays! Building sandcastles, splashing in the sea and, of course, fish and chips to finish. Try to take some change for arcade machines and fairground rides too, or make the kids bring their pocket money.
A visit to the zoo is always a winner! The kids love looking around at their favourite animals, finding out about their behaviour and habitat. Lots of zoos have talks and shows, so the kids can learn even more about the animals. We’d recommend taking a packed lunch, so you don’t have to spend a small fortune on a soggy sandwich.
Are your kids adrenaline junkies? Take them to your nearest theme park. There, they can soar, spin and scream to their heart’s content! Even better if you don’t have to go on with them! Remember to book tickets in advance to save.
Head to the theatre and see a show with the kids. There’s so many shows to choose from, suitable for different tastes and ages. Mamma Mia, Lion King, Hairspray, Dinosaur World Live and much, much more! You could even watch a production by the local drama club to save a bit of money. Check your nearest theatre and see what’s on.
Everyone loves baking! Whether we’re actually good at it is another matter… Let your kids try their hand at some child-friendly recipes. Try to let them do as much as possible on their own to encourage independence, but make sure you’re on hand to help put it into the oven.
A picnic is a great way to get the kids out of the house, without spending a lot of money. You could do a colour themed picnic, like all red food. Think jam sandwiches, strawberries, watermelon, red fairy cakes, ready salted crisps and so on. Pack a bat and ball to play some games while you’re out as well.
A visit to the museum doesn’t have to be boring. Modern museums have placed a lot more emphasis on interaction, so kids can really get involved with the things they’re learning about. Some museums also offer free entry for kids. There are even museums specifically for kids! Eureka is a children’s science museum, with displays about everything from the human body to electricity. There’s shows on dinosaurs, digestion and more.
Let’s face it, there’s bound to be some rainy days this summer. Not to worry, you can still make the most of it at the cinema! The cinemas have some great offers on this summer, including Cineworld who have £2.50 kids tickets for selected movies. If you want to save money, you could even turn the living room into a home cinema.
Is your child a budding footballer? Or are they gunning for Wimbledon? Perhaps they’re going to be the next Dina Asher Smith? Without school, now’s the perfect time for them to focus on their sport. Book them into a summer academy or get them one-to-one training to hone their skills.
Money shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the holidays with your kids. Here are some of our top money saving tips this summer.
We hope this has given you some ideas for things to do in the summer holidays! We’ve tried to include something for every budget, so you can still enjoy a day out with the kids no matter what.
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