Summer holiday activities

A parents’ summer survival plan

Stuck for ideas for summer holiday activities? This month, I’m giving tips about making the most of the summer and a free printable giving 45 ideas for activities for your children.

Is it true that ‘a vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you’ve been taking?’ [1] Seriously, we all love our kids and families but if we don’t think ahead about how to make the most of it, filling the time we have together over the summer can be stressful. Here are my top tips.

#1 Compromise is the key

Over our summer holidays, we let each person choose one activity and we all agreed to do them with enthusiasm. You might not have thought that going to the skunk show was your thing (yes, we really went) but you might just enjoy it when you get there (actually, we did).

#2 Reduce travel time

Escape rooms, zoos, art galleries and museums all offer virtual experiences you can access from the comfort of your own PC, so you will be able to find something that suits your tastes. And being at home gets you away from travel sickness, boredom, delays, and the inevitable cry of ‘Are we there yet?’.

#3 Make meal-times fun

Plan a picnic in the garden. If it rains, have it in the house – sit on the floor and eat with your fingers!

#4 Stress-free travel with children

If you do have to travel, research from Peugeot showed that many parents were stressed or anxious when making long journeys with their children. Plan games to keep them amused. We gave points to the first person to see a certain kind of vehicle, such as a blue car, or a red lorry. On one occasion, looking for a pink tractor kept my nephews quiet on the motorway for ages! What’s your favourite journey game?

#5 Free summer holiday activities

Often the least expensive activities keep younger ones occupied. I remember my daughter, aged about 4, spending a happy afternoon “painting” my garden fence with a large pasting brush and a bucket of water. Other Mums who tried this found their kids loved it too. (Leave your best tip for a quiet afternoon in the comments below.)

#6 Cost-effective summer holiday activities

Buy some cheap clothes from charity shops or use old ones that no longer fit – let the kids cut them up and remake them for a fashion show or fancy dress. You can donate them back at the end either for wearing or for shredding and recycling.

#7 TV is not just for watching

Borrow ideas from your favourite TV shows – ‘Taskmaster’, ‘Gogglebox’, ‘Lip Sync Battle’, ‘Ready, Steady, Cook’ and ‘Come Dine with Me’ can all offer fun activities. If you have younger ones, team them with an adult or older child so they can join in too.

#8 Find your inner child

Focus on living in the present and view spending time with your kids as a gift, not a chore. Give yourself permission to laugh, be silly, and have fun. Laughter is a great stress reliever, and this is an important skill whether you’re on holiday or not.

#9 Getting kids to help in the house

Don’t ignore the chores, take a leaf from Mary Poppins and make them fun. Set challenges like who can tidy their bedroom quickest, or trade some help with the washing up for some extra computer time.

#10 Things that go wrong provide funny stories for the future

Be realistic and accept that things don’t have to be perfect. Try to see the lighter side of minor disruptions and inconveniences, and work together on the larger stuff. Overcoming challenges together can help a family bond.

Get your free summer printable
Sometimes it’s hard to think up enough to keep your kids busy and active over the summer. We have a free printable which gives you 45 different ideas. Pick your favourites, do one or two a week, or challenge yourself to do them all – the choice is yours.

[1] Earl Wilson