As summer begins to draw to a close, we’re starting to realise that there are so many things remaining on our summer bucket list. Every year, the weeks fly by so quickly and we end up feeling like we’ve achieved nothing over the summer break.
If you’re feeling a bit gloomy over the kids going back to school soon, then now is your chance to make the most of the family time you have left!
We have curated a list of 10 fun-filled activities that you and the whole family can take part in at the last minute. All that these ideas require is just a little bit of effort, spontaneity, and lots of excitement. Hopefully, a few of these activities will be right up your street, and you will be able to make some beautiful memories with the kids before they head back to school:
1. Family sports day
Sports days aren’t just restricted to school! If you’re looking for an activity to fill up an entire afternoon (or maybe even a whole day), then a sports day is a fantastic way to get everyone involved. If your family is large enough, you can split your loved ones into two teams, or you can just stick to single players. You can organise multiple different games depending on what your children are into - whether it be football, tennis, basketball, or just a good running race! Whatever you end up planning, it’s a wonderful way to connect everyone together, and to get a bit of exercise, too.
2. Outdoor picnic
Summer isn’t summer without at least one picnic! Treat yourself and the kids to all of your favourite sandwiches, crisps, juices and sweet treats. You could even create some of your tastiest recipes beforehand, so that you will have some lovely, homemade bits to enjoy. Hopefully the weather will be gracious enough for you to relish in your picnic outside, but if not, you can always move the fun inside.
3. Outdoor movie night
Taking the movies outdoors always makes it feel so much more exciting! If you have access to a film projector, you can set up your very own home cinema outdoors. Grab all of your favourite snacks, cuddle up in lots of blankets, and relax for a few hours. The only hard part will be deciding which film you all want to watch!
4. Camping
If your child has never been camping before, this could be a brilliant way to gift them some fun before the summer ends! It doesn’t even have to be far from home - if you have access to a garden, you could happily camp out there. Camping is a true novelty for little ones, and so they will be buzzing with excitement to sleep outdoors with all of their loved ones.
5. Stargazing
We often take the wonderful night sky for granted, but now is the perfect time to take in all of its beauty. Stretch out a picnic blanket and lie down with the kids to see how many stars you can spot. If you catch a glimpse of any unusual ones, you can pique your children’s interests by having a look online for information about it.
6. Local markets
During the summer, we usually take the opportunity to go abroad or visit other locations in our home country. However, don't forget that there are also some amazing activities on offer right on our doorstep! Many locations usually take the summer months to host some fabulous local markets, filled with everything from delicious food to home trinkets. Locate your nearest one and take the kids along for an hour or two - you never know what you might find!
7. Museums
Similarly, there might be some fascinating museums and exhibitions in your local area that your kids have never experienced before. So, why not tag along? Not only will they get a fun day out, but they could end up learning about a brand-new topic that might intrigue them. Plus, there’s always a trip to the gift shop and café at the end to keep the little ones interested!
8. Visit the beach
We’ll be the first to admit that the weather hasn’t been the most consistent for the beach this summer. However, this doesn’t mean that you still can’t have a brilliant time by the sea! Whether it be scorching hot or on the chillier side, a day at the seaside does wonders for our mental health. Be sure to pack some snacks, wetsuits, a few trusty towels and a football to kick about!
9. Road trip
For us, summertime means lots of exciting road trips across the country. If you feel like you haven’t done enough of these this year, then it’s not too late to take another one! Pick a location that you’ve always wanted to visit with your loved ones, and head out there for the day. You’ll make memories to last a lifetime!
10. Icing biscuits
The new series of The Great British Bake Off is due to begin over the coming weeks, and this has got us in the mood for baking! One such idea is decorating some biscuits with whatever you choose. Just like the iconic ‘Showstopper’ challenge, set a designated theme for your little ones and let their imagination run wild. Make sure you have plenty of icing to hand, and in lots of different colours, too!
