Entertaining the Kids this Summer
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Hobbies
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The prospect of keeping the kids busy for a single weekend can often be a daunting task, but when 6 weeks of freedom stands before you it can be difficult to decide where to even begin planning the time away.
Scour the town for free activities. The summer holidays can be a rather expensive time. Cinema visits, trips to the zoo, shopping trips, everything adds up. However, not everything has to cost an arm and a leg. Local councils are aware of the pressure summer holidays can bring financially, and often host a range of events during the summer holiday period to amuse the kids. Check the websites of your local council and tourist information centres for local days out, or scan 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 as well. There’ll be no shortage of things for your kids to get up to in town for a few hours a week.
The great outdoors. If you’re lucky and the weather is decent this summer season, why not utilise the fresh air and encourage your kids to be active whenever the sun is out. This is the healthy and cheaper alternative to a summer fun filled day. Kites, ball-games and picnics are options of how to spend the day in the sun with your kids. Parks, nature reserves, and even your own back garden can be places to let your kids loose. For longer term solutions to that summer holiday boredom, why not take the kids camping? Even if it is in your own back garden, the kids will love the change of scene, and the idea of packing up for a night in new surroundings.
Home activities. If all else fails, there’s always the comfort of your own home. Get your kids’ creative juices flowing. Transform your kitchen table into make-shift crafts area with old newspapers and magazines, paint, glue, anything and everything really, and let your kids’ imaginations run wild. Encouraging them to start a summer scrapbook could be a good idea; they could stick tickets, photos and other bits and pieces that they’ve collected- and they’ll be amused for hours. Baking and cooking are also activities that’ll get your kids excited and will lead to an end product that they’ll be proud of.
Essentially, summer should be a time for you to get a breather as well. Depending on your work schedule, the summer months should be an opportunity for you to have a holiday of your own, and escape from the chaos of your usual schedule. You can incorporate these needs with entertaining the kids, and plan a holiday that’ll cater to your kids’ needs as well as your own. Whether it be abroad or just down the road, there is a holiday somewhere out there with your family’s name written on it. ‘Staycations’ are becoming increasingly popular; you won’t even have to leave the UK to have an enjoyable time with all the family. Holidaying on your own turf won’t break the bank either, and you won’t have to worry about flying with the kids, just pack the troops in the car and you’re all set. Camping is always an option as well, or for the more relaxing alternative, there are always deals on seaside getaways along the British coast. Venturing to East Anglia towards Norfolk and Suffolk has become a getaway of choice for families of all sizes and budgets. Suffolk cottages are newly furnished, close to the sea and other holiday attractions, and most importantly family (and pet) friendly.
Planning in advance can be advantageous for you and your children. It gives you the peace of mind of solid plans to fall back on, and also gives your kids something to look forward to. Even if it is just an afternoon at their friends house, having that plan set up a week in advance will get your kids through a rainy afternoon at home make them happier in the respect that they’ll feel busy, wanted and loved. Everyone likes something to look forward to; your kids are no different. Also, get the children involved in the planning process from time to time. They will be less likely to complain about the activities chosen if they get the opportunity to take part in the decision-making. Line up a range of activities to select from: stuff to do at home, outdoors, arrangements with friends, trips to town.
There are loads of ways to keep your children occupied this summer- don’t let them go bored for weeks at a time, and It doesn’t always require spending bags of money. It’s not necessary to fill every minute of every day though. Encourage your children's imagination and independence - let them play in their rooms or the garden.
Photo Credit: PRINSOTEL HOTELS
Scour the town for free activities. The summer holidays can be a rather expensive time. Cinema visits, trips to the zoo, shopping trips, everything adds up. However, not everything has to cost an arm and a leg. Local councils are aware of the pressure summer holidays can bring financially, and often host a range of events during the summer holiday period to amuse the kids. Check the websites of your local council and tourist information centres for local days out, or scan 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 as well. There’ll be no shortage of things for your kids to get up to in town for a few hours a week.
The great outdoors. If you’re lucky and the weather is decent this summer season, why not utilise the fresh air and encourage your kids to be active whenever the sun is out. This is the healthy and cheaper alternative to a summer fun filled day. Kites, ball-games and picnics are options of how to spend the day in the sun with your kids. Parks, nature reserves, and even your own back garden can be places to let your kids loose. For longer term solutions to that summer holiday boredom, why not take the kids camping? Even if it is in your own back garden, the kids will love the change of scene, and the idea of packing up for a night in new surroundings.
Home activities. If all else fails, there’s always the comfort of your own home. Get your kids’ creative juices flowing. Transform your kitchen table into make-shift crafts area with old newspapers and magazines, paint, glue, anything and everything really, and let your kids’ imaginations run wild. Encouraging them to start a summer scrapbook could be a good idea; they could stick tickets, photos and other bits and pieces that they’ve collected- and they’ll be amused for hours. Baking and cooking are also activities that’ll get your kids excited and will lead to an end product that they’ll be proud of.
Essentially, summer should be a time for you to get a breather as well. Depending on your work schedule, the summer months should be an opportunity for you to have a holiday of your own, and escape from the chaos of your usual schedule. You can incorporate these needs with entertaining the kids, and plan a holiday that’ll cater to your kids’ needs as well as your own. Whether it be abroad or just down the road, there is a holiday somewhere out there with your family’s name written on it. ‘Staycations’ are becoming increasingly popular; you won’t even have to leave the UK to have an enjoyable time with all the family. Holidaying on your own turf won’t break the bank either, and you won’t have to worry about flying with the kids, just pack the troops in the car and you’re all set. Camping is always an option as well, or for the more relaxing alternative, there are always deals on seaside getaways along the British coast. Venturing to East Anglia towards Norfolk and Suffolk has become a getaway of choice for families of all sizes and budgets. Suffolk cottages are newly furnished, close to the sea and other holiday attractions, and most importantly family (and pet) friendly.
Planning in advance can be advantageous for you and your children. It gives you the peace of mind of solid plans to fall back on, and also gives your kids something to look forward to. Even if it is just an afternoon at their friends house, having that plan set up a week in advance will get your kids through a rainy afternoon at home make them happier in the respect that they’ll feel busy, wanted and loved. Everyone likes something to look forward to; your kids are no different. Also, get the children involved in the planning process from time to time. They will be less likely to complain about the activities chosen if they get the opportunity to take part in the decision-making. Line up a range of activities to select from: stuff to do at home, outdoors, arrangements with friends, trips to town.
There are loads of ways to keep your children occupied this summer- don’t let them go bored for weeks at a time, and It doesn’t always require spending bags of money. It’s not necessary to fill every minute of every day though. Encourage your children's imagination and independence - let them play in their rooms or the garden.
Photo Credit: PRINSOTEL HOTELS
