Is it really only the second week of the summer holidays?
If you’re looking at the next 5 weeks wondering how you’re going to fill up all those days, don’t panic. Here’s a few ideas to help you and your family fend off the boredom.
Plan a local expedition
Give your child a map of your local area and allow them plenty of time to study it. Is there anywhere on the map they have never been to? Or would like to go again? Some interesting road names or an intriguing green space? Get them to plan a route and lead the way. Will you travel on foot or cycle or scoot? Will you need to take a bottle of water? Sun cream? Raincoats? A picnic? The possibilities are endless (as may be the journey if you don’t give their route a quick check before you start!)
Jumpers for goalposts
No need to spend money on new games equipment. Have you got a single tennis racket, a plastic ball and a knotted skipping rope? Or perhaps a bucket, some pebbles and a picnic blanket. Children have great imaginations. Dig out what you already have and challenge them to invent a new game.
Green fingers
If you’re lucky enough to have a garden or even a few pots, ask your child to water the plants. Using a watering can is great for strengthening muscles and bones. You could also get them pulling up weeds, digging, and raking up fallen leaves. Gardening is also good for your mental health and well-being so be sure to get growing!
Showtime
Challenge your children to choreograph a dance to one of their favourite songs. Encourage lots of practice, suggest costumes, set up a few chairs in front of a makeshift stage area and then it’s lights, camera, action.
Where next?
Choose a new area to walk around each week. Make note of your weekly walking distance so you can calculate your summer total at the end of the holidays.
School holiday activity clubs
Activity clubs are a great way for your child to get a change of scene, learn new skills, make friends and stay active. And it just so happens we have multiple Active Camps and Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes running throughout summer!
Find out more about Active Camps
Triathlon
Rather than a day event, make it a triathlon long weekend! Swim one day, cycle one day and run or walk the next.
See the sights
Become a tourist in your own city. It’s easy to forget how much there is to explore in the place that you live. Imagine your family are on holiday, brand new to the city. Switching up your regular routine and seeing your home with fresh eyes can be exciting and give you a new-found appreciation for your hometown.
House clean
Not exactly top of the fun to-do list during the holidays. Or could it be? (OK, maybe not right at the top).
Setting a timer, creating a cleaning relay, putting on some music and placing some hidden treasure for your children to find as they clean are just some of the ways to turn this chore into a game.
Sweet treat
Go on a fruit picking adventure and use your picks to make some delicious sweet treats. You could blend them all together to make a smoothie, whip up a fresh fruit trifle, or make ice lollies to keep cool.
Under and over
Furniture and household items can very easily double up as obstacle course equipment. And this is one of those activities that can keep your children busy for a fair few hours (just so long as you don’t need your chairs for a while).
Fitness bingo
Make your own or print out some fitness bingo cards. Each card will feature a variety of exercises and movements. The nominated leader calls out different exercises. If the exercise features on your card, you need to do the move and check it off. The first person to check off all their exercises is the winner!