nearly summer hols how to have an os school hols

aberdeen · 12 July 2007 at 11:01AM

not sure if these books are nationwide but these are a life safer in the school holidays.
the books are full of bogofs for activities, restaurants, ice skating, swimming all sorts
free coffees, free days at the gym
you pay £22 in sept/oct and they last a year well worth it even if you are visiting that area for a holiday

https://www.spree.co.uk

HairyHandofDartmoor · 13 July 2007 at 5:42PM

I try and do mainly free stuff with my 3 who ar 14, 12 and 9. We go to the park with a picnic quite often and take scooters, roller blades etc. The beach is good as it only costs petrol money (I am lucky to be near so many) and we always take our own lunch and drinks. Even the 14 year old enjoys poking around in rock pools, etc.

Other than that we go up onto Plymouth Hoe and have a picnic on the grass there overlooking the sea and then walk down to the Barbican and look at the fishing boats. This is great as it doesn't cost a penny.

We do maybe 2 trips that cost money during the whole holiday such as Paignton Zoo or a theme park (we are spoilt for choice here).

The museum does free activities and workshops which may be a bit young for my older 2 kids but would be good for primary age children. The library does storytime too for younger children, and when they were younger I would just walk up to the library with them and borrow a pile of books which at least got us out of the house and gave them a bit of entertainment at home.

Getting yourself invited to friends houses is quite good especially if they have a big garden but you must return the favour, obviously. The local swimming pool is also quite reasonable and wears them out nicely, very good for a rainy day. I love the summer holidays as I get to spend some quality time with the kids, I just hope the rain stops!

Quackers · 13 July 2007 at 5:57PM

Queenie wrote: »

Just looking up Quackers Maize Maze (thanks for that!). The nearest one to us is still quite a journey, but it'll be good to have a drive out for the day.

Do a google search Queenie just in case you can find one nearer to home.

The one we go to isn't listed on the link I provided - I just used that as an example as its a big company who do lots nationwide. There are lots of farms who do these independantly now and they are cheaper too

Queenie · 14 July 2007 at 7:45AM

Will do Quackers

Got my English Heritage membership renewal cards through so I need to see which events are running where this summer - that'll be more free days out

:T

debtfreenewbie · 14 July 2007 at 10:11AM

While my dd was at playschool I discovered gloop.One packet of cornflour mixed with a little water on a large try.
Easy to play with and when it dries goes into powder so little mess.

HAVE FUN.

casperella · 14 July 2007 at 10:18AM

I used to save ice cream boxes and we used to go collecting blackberries at the end of August. The incentive at the end of the day was a grand weigh in which always made sure that the kids picked as many as they could! I made a flask of home made soup and microwaved large baking potatoes and wrapped them in foil. I took a pot of grated cheese and another of butter and we used to find a place and have a hot picnic .

lil_me · 14 July 2007 at 10:52AM

Chruchmouse, unfortunately I can't do the suprise thing, my oldest has Autism and doesn't react to suprises well, we've had situations before when we've suprised him going to one of his fave places but when we have got there he's refused to get out of the car. On the other hand what I have done is hidden the middle seat belt in the cars and said it's broken, therefore if we go anywhere which is usually by car as public transport up here is so expensive, noone can 'tag along'.

Discodee · 14 July 2007 at 11:08AM

I absolutely LOVE the hols and we have lots of fun for free and always have!

Mine are 12 and 8, and if I gave you a run down of their daily eating plan you would all faint! It is enormous BUT healthy. They eat platefuls of fruit and veg! Brown bread, rice and pasta. Drink water etc etc. I find I dont spend any more on food in the hols, as I always buy my own sweets/ice creams etc anyway, because I buy ones that are free from artificial additives. I cannot guarantee to find them while out so always go prepared. If anyone can find any ice pops free from artificial aditives please tell me, as I have never found one single pack that doesnt either contain artificial colour or sweetener. Plenty of ice lollies though. Even tesco value ones are ok.

We are lucky here as our libraries have craft and fun sessions almost every day, badge making, nask making, pirate days, face painting, magbet making etc etc. Our libraries also do a readinf ascheme. The kids join and get a card, and for each book they read they get a sheet of stickers which they can stick on thecard and it moves them further along the reading path. When they have read 6 books they receive a medal and certificate.
I will incorporate a visit to a session with a picnic in a nearby park, a nature walk through the woods or a visit to pals.
We go for walks, cycle rides, to feed the ducks, swimming. (Our pools do free swimming for kids during holidays) I think kids love picnics and the simple things in life. Check out your libraries for activities. Our local free rag has a pullout listing them all

60north · 14 July 2007 at 4:50PM

Drinks are big cost ....... more fun if you get boys on side to help budget

try

allways having big container of water (mix up juices) in the car to drink before going into anywhere - get children to have long drinks etc before getting out of car. Explain that with money saved you can have a blowout with a milshake (or whatever) treat once a week (or what suits your family).

also try
do you have a snack cupboard/box? if you do (and might be best to have 2 boxes in this case!) work with boys on what you will spend on snacks for the week fill up the box and thats it - finished - don't have another supply elsewhere (we're all on diets right!!) don't give in etc .... they'll soon learn to 'budget' their snacks....We wen't one step further and told the children they could choose their own snacks with the money allowed or they could have the cash....(snack box for them was crisps/sweets/sweet biscuits)...after a while they chose cash ! mean't cereal/toast/fruit wen't a bit quicker! but they knew the rule and never asked for a top up of the more unhealthy stuff.

happy holidays

badmuthar · 14 July 2007 at 5:00PM

Yeah hols approaching with no money to spare so will try things like going to the park etc.
I have found the best investment of the year so far is an allottment which is £28 per year and keeps the kids busy with the watering cans.

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nearly summer hols how to have an os school hols

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