The school summer holidays can often be a time of dread for many parents. As a mum of 4, I know that the key to beating boredom, stress and fights is to plan the days well ahead so that we have something to do every day of the 6 weeks. Below I have put together 101 activities that are suitable for the whole family and should either be free or cost very little.
So get outside (even if it is wet) and have fun!
- Plant a herb garden
- Make a bug hotel
- Paint rocks – our local town paints and hides rock for us all to find. See if your town does similar. If not, create your own group!
- Sow lettuce
- Go blackberry picking
- Make mud pies
- Join the library summer reading challenge
- Learn a dance
- Make a bird bath
- Create a puppet show
- Make book marks- perfect to use during your summer reading challenge!
- Have a DIY photoshoot
- Make a movie
- Sketch the view
- Make sock puppets
- Make sun catchers
- Go bird spotting
- Create a scavenger hunt
- Make junk models
- Sow flower seeds
- Make salt dough
- Create leaf prints
- Make a button necklace
- Create leaf and pinecone bunting
- Record some music
- Make a collage from magazine cutouts
- Create a maze
- Have a water fight
- Play a football match
- Have a cake stall in your front garden
- Clear out the toy box
- Donate the toys to charity
- Make musical instruments
- Wash the car
- Sew bunting
- Make a fairy den
- Invent a machine
- Create a terrarium
- Go fishing – or magnet fishing is fun!
- Take tree bark rubbings
- Go litter picking
- Pick the weeds
- Plant a tree
- Bath the dog
- Chalk drawings on the pavements
- Play a new board game
- Have a Fashion Show
- Create a circus
- Upcycle some furniture
- Redecorate your bedroom
- Paint a plant pot
- Learn to knit or crochet
- Make a wormery
- Go to the market
- Invent a smoothie
- Learn to ride a bike
- Make a robot
- Go on the train/bus/tram
- Learn about something in history
- Make paper hats/planes/boats
- Have a go at Whittling
- Go star gazing
- Watch the Sun set
- Sleep in a tent in your garden
- Make a tiny wildlife pond
- Hatch sea monkeys
- Go fossil hunting
- Go pond dipping
- Make a den
- Build a hedgehog house
- Visit your local RSPB
- Go on a hike
- Make pompoms and turn them into something cool
- Visit an airport and watch the planes
- Have a bake-off
- Have a pamper session
- Create a rockery
- Make handprints in salt dough and bake to make a keepsake
- Choose a new houseplant
- Jump in puddles
- Take a walk in the woods
- Create your own magazine
- Make your own music festival
- Make a teepee from garden canes and bedsheets
- Learn yoga
- Make a kite
- Visit the beach- and collect litter
- Write a letter to your favourite actor or popstar
- Make icelollies
- Have a huge declutter
- Visit a free museum
- Throw a friendship party
- Create a dolls house
- Make a leaf mandala
- Watch bats at dusk
- Visit an animal sanctuary
- Make a treasure hunt and follow maps
- Look for geocaches
- Press flowers
- Make a stop-motion movie
- Take part in The Big Butterfly Count
