nearly summer hols how to have an os school hols

thriftlady_2

The summer holidays is not my favourite time of the year I must admit. I like September best (now I'm not teaching lol) anyway I'm going to print this list out and place it somewhere all the kids can see it. The minute anyone says 'I'm bored' I shall direct them to the list.

http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010813g.cfm

Edit : I'm deleting all the things I don't want them to do (like squirting with hoses) and I'll add any I think of.

merlin68

Over the summer holidays, without spending.

DianneB

It all depends on how old they are. The older they get the harder it gets!! Let me kick off with: Picnic's in the park, garden or even the living room if it's raining. Cycle rides. Walks - take a bug viewer with you and/or books for spotting wild flowers, birds and bugs. Baking. Feet and hand painting. Water sprinkler or water pistols in the garden. Home made playdough. Visits to the library and any free museums close by. Kite making/flying. Just have fun!!

Pink.

Hi merlin,

We do picnics and barbeques, free days out to parks, beaches or for walks, fishing, local free/cheap attractions etc weather permitting. If the weather is as a bad as last summer was I involve them in jobs around the house, board games, swimming (free for under 16's here now), having friends around and other indoor activities.

There's an earlier thread that should give you some ideas so I've added your post to it to keep the suggestions together.

Pink

FrankieM

Hi,
I'm hoping to take full advantage of the free swimming that is offered to under 16's.
Walk the dog. Go down to the local river. Bike rides.
Also as they are teenagers...allowing them to sleep the day away!!!

[Deleted User]

I am just wondering how on earth all you mums and dads are coping with keeping the children happy. I used to save all sorts like cereal boxes on top of the kitchen units, 30 years ago and just had a flashback to then. Splashing in puddles, making cakes, doing mini plays, quiet play, cut and stick

Day after day of rain. It was exhausting but I didn`t notice it at the time as I was about 28-32.

I am trying not to have a moan about the weather but I have a lot of sympathy for families

Pink.

Hi kittie,

It's hard not to moan when it's raining all the time isn't it? We have an existing thread with lots of ideas for entertaining children in the British summer so I've added your post to it so you can see what others do with their children.

There is also this thread on the family board that might give some ideas:

What are you doing today with your children? (school summer holidays)

Pink

helenhugs

make the most of the rain lol Mine love splashing in the puddles & then warming up with a nice bath & a hot drink.
I do 1 big thing a week with mine and they love it. We have got an annual pass to a local zoo, its close enough to go to for a picnic & let them on the playarea there, I also allow my son to bring a friend every now & then (he's 11) and gets bored otherwise. (I have 4 children age 5,6,8 & 11).
Swimming is a great one with the children under 16 swimming free now.
Find a stream nearby that they can play in, take fishing nets and buckets & see what they can catch.
Hope that helps
Hugs
Helen

Olliebeak

Have you checked out your local authority/council website? There's often lots of ideas for school holiday activities.

kahunababy

Not sure if this has been done here before (if it has then please delete this post) but with the school holidays looming I was wondering if any of you lovely lot have any ideas on keeping the kids entertained and fed without breaking the already stretched budget?

I will get us started with a couple of ideas I've had. As the weather isn't looking too great I am planning on having plenty of baking days, this should work 2 fold, Kids will be kept amused and I get lots of yummy homemade and cheap treats to feed them!

What is everyone else planning on doing for the holidays?