WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THE CHILDREN? Believe it or not, the school summer holidays are upon us at the end of July. Finding new ideas to keep the children entertained can be a challenge, especially after having them at home so often over the last year. Thinking ahead, doing a bit ofresearch and creating a plan or timetable of activities to keep the kids occupied can help to take some of the stress out of this time. Read on for fun ideas you could try and enjoy a stress-free summer holiday with the family. Get outdoors We’ve all experienced the blessing that is the great outdoors during the lockdown, and with the weather looking good, getting out and about over the summer is a no brainer.
• Kids often have their own unique sense of style so customising their old clothes can be a fun way to let their creativity loose. This can be enjoyable for kids of all ages – and adults too! Search for upcycling • Make packed lunches and take tips online. the kids on a nature hike. There are activity sheets you can download • Get the kids making temporary online to help get the kids hunting. tattoos out of paper, perfume and water – you’ll find loads of tutorial • Create a treasure hunt in the garden videos on YouTube to show you how. or check out geocaching.com – both fun activities for zero cost. • Get in touch with your local Friends Get adventuring of Park group and take part in a With many places reopening with limited numbers, it pays to plan a community litter pick. • Get together with friends and trip in advance. Theme parks and organise a mini sports day followed zoos can be an expensive day out for a family, but there are ways to by a group picnic. cut some of the costs. Get crafty
• Travel by train. Check out dayFor those days when the weather soutguide.co.uk/uk-days-out for isn’t too great, it’s good to have various deals. some ideas of activities you can • Look out for discount vouchers on do indoors. products in the supermarket. • If you’re planning a mini sports day, get the kids making medals, score • Bring the zoo to you with Chester sheets, and maybe some bunting Zoo’s official YouTube channel. Create that fun adventure vibe by setting out of leftover fabric. up a blanket in the living room and
36
having a picnic lunch. Whatever you do, remember to take the sun cream (and the raincoats – after all, we are in England!) Christians Against Poverty (CAP) is a UK charity with over 580 services across the country delivering debt counselling, money management education, job clubs, life skills groups and more. Visit capuk.org to find out more.
