The summer holidays are nearly here and, once again, parents everywhere will be wondering exactly how they're going to keep the little, and not so little, ones entertained for weeks on end without it turning into absolute chaos!
We thought we'd pull together a list of activities, events and day trips you could try with the kids to keep them entertained as much as possible and keep your stress levels to a minimum!
1. Pick your own...whatever. We all love the taste of fresh fruit so why not find a farm with blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, flowers, etc., and get picking!
2. Camp out. There's a big world out there ready to be explored, take them on a camping adventure they'll remember for years to come! First-timers can try backyard camping
3. Camp in. Alternatively, if the weather isn't playing ball then just put the sleeping bags on the floor and have a family slumber party!
5. Invite friends over for a game day. Have a kids' games table and an adult one too. Candyland, chess, Monopoly, Clue – let the kids pick their favourites
6. Talk to the animals. Go to a zoo. If there isn’t one nearby, take a virtual zoo tour online.
7. Get wet. Break out the kiddie pools, hoses, and sprinklers! Or spend the day at a waterpark, if you're lucky enough to have one nearby!
8. Have a puzzle race. Stock up on 100-piece puzzles and see who finishes first. For older kids, skip the race and challenge them to complete a mega-piece puzzle. Set up a spot where everyone can join in working on the puzzle
9. Play (or learn) card games. Amazing how much fun you can have with a single pack of playing cards! Little ones can learn crazy eights or Old Maid. Teach the older kids rummy or poker, or discover new games to master
10. Pack a picnic. You can plop down to eat it just about anywhere, at a free concert, in park or in your own backyard! Rainy day? Have an Indoors Picnic! Spread a blanket on the living room floor where there are no bugs or rain to contend with and the children will love it!
11. Start the back-to-school shopping early. Skip the crowds and spend a leisurely afternoon browsing for the school supplies on each child’s list (did we mention making a list first?)
12. Get the summer homework done. Not exactly fun, but so much easier to get it out of the way
13. Experiment with new hairdos. Let the kids try out not-permanent colours or braids. Or maybe a spiked look!
14. Set a goal and complete a home project. Spare room need cleaning out? Fences need painting? Kitchen cabinets in need of organizing? Find ways to let the kids help
15. Let the kids cook dinner. In fact, make a tradition of it!
16. Host a sleepover. And the maybe your kids will be invited next -- giving you a free evening...you're welcome!
17. Have a Lazy Day. Everyone needs a day to unwind and do nothing. During your “Lazy Off,” lie around in pajamas reading, watching movies, baking cookies, or even cat napping for as much of the day as you want!
18. Take a hike. Choose a route near your house or take a drive to a more distant park!
19. Visit a historic house. Kids will be amazed at what the old-timers lived without!
20.Take bike rides for fun. Either leave from your own house or drive to biking trails
21. Go fishing. Get them into the art of catching fish from an early age!
22. Play miniature golf. A favourite of both adults and kids, hit the crazy golf course and see what you can hit!
23. Learn something new together. Learn to juggle, play harmonica, do the hula hoop, etc., or take a class in Cooking, yoga, tennis, music, etc
24. Build a fort. Let the kids loose in the living room with pillow and blankets. Turn the fort into an overnight sleepout spot
25. Play lawn games. Set up croquet or bocce, or put up a badminton net and use it for volleyball too
26. Create a treasure hunt. Inside or out, on your own property or around the neighbourhood
27. Have a garage sale. Fantastic way to clean up around the house, and kids can earn spending money by selling their old stuff
28. Create one-of-a-kind t-shirts. Do your kids like to paint? Find cheap t-shirts, or old ones that you don't mind them painting on. Freehand it, use your printer to make stencils, or use one of the many ideas you can find online!
29. Go Bird Watching. Take part in the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Wild Challenge and complete a series of activities, such as building a bird box or bird bath with household items. See rspb.org.uk.
30. Space Mission. Your child's summer camp may be cancelled, but there are free online versions for arts and sciences. For example, Cosmoto is a five-week space-themed course for children, aged five to ten. Visit cosmotospace.org
That's our top 30 things to do this summer, we hope this will help bring fun and joy to all your lives!
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