20 things to do during the summer holidays
At last - summer’s here equalling six blissful weeks away from the usual school routine and if we’re lucky we’ll get plenty of sunshine too. But  how will you plan this time? Here’s some food for thought…
Move over Jamie Oliver...
Not that it ever really went out of fashion, but home baking and cooking really is in vogue at the moment, so if your child shows an interest, make it a fun experience by choosing simple yet exciting menus, getting them to help prep the food and serve up the resulting culinary delight to the rest of the family! For ideas check out www.kidsandcooking.co.uk
Enjoy the festival fever...
During the summer months, most neighbourhoods become a hive of vibrant activity with street markets, bazaars, carnivals, festivals, county shows, donkey derby’s and summer fairs. Search through the pages on your local council website or go to www.primarytimes.net to find out what’s going on.
Keep ‘board’-om at bay
It’s teeming down with rain, you’re stuck indoors – what do you do? How about rooting out a board game? Aside from promoting family fun and sportsmanship, board games help to develop communication, reasoning and logical thinking skills.
Encourage little green fingers
Help create a lifelong passion for gardening by buying some terracotta plant pots and small tools then encourage the children to plant some hardy yet pretty flowers or herbs. For useful tips and advice go to www.gardeningwithchildren.co.uk
Take a giant leap into the library
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge, where children aged 4 to 11 years are encouraged to borrow and read up to half a dozen books, has a space theme. Find out more about the appropriately named Space Hop- One giant leap into libraries - at www.readingagency.org.uk/children/summer-reading-challenge.
Look skywards – at night
Enjoy an enlightening night lying under the stars to gaze in awe at the moon, planets and constellations. Snatch a look at space books; perhaps pay a visit to a planetarium or for more inspirational ideas take a look at the NASA website - kids.msfc.nasa.gov
Pick Your Own
Enormously popular in the 1970’s, ‘Pick Your Own’ fruit has made a bit of a comeback in recent years. A fun afternoon can easily pass by, plus the children will be eating into one of their 5 a day. Find out what is in season and find a farm near you at www.pickyourown.info
Transform your living room into a home cinema
Slip on a newly released DVD, box up some popcorn and get your children to invite some friends over. Create an authentic atmosphere by drawing the curtains to make your living area as dark as possible.
Sample the culture
Local museums are red hot favourite places to visit for culture vultures and the good news is that many offer free admission. Try visiting www.24hourmuseum.org.uk the UK's official guide to over 3000 museums and heritage attractions.
Have Fun at the Park
Enjoy the pleasures of the local pleasure ground, especially on Wednesday 4 August, which happens to be Playday, the annual celebration of children’s rights to play. Thousands of events will take place across the country – go to www.playday.org.uk to find out more.
Go on a mini beast safari
Rummage around nooks and crannies to hunt for mini beasts, bugs – in fact all types of insect! To make the experience even more of an adventure, use a bug catching kit, magnifying glass and research books to discover what’s been unearthed. For more mini beast adventures take a look at www.forestry.gov.uk or www.rhs.org.uk
A quick progression in sport
Active kids can passionately throw themselves into exercise as many sporting clubs and venues offer ‘intensive’ crash courses, designed to enhance performance significantly in a short space of time. Take a look at www.britishswimming.org (swimming); www.lta.org.uk (tennis); www.thefa.com/skills/parents (football).
Get pedalling...
Make use of some of the country’s 12,000 miles of traffic-free cycling paths, quiet lanes and on-road cycling routes that are available to everyone and pass within a mile of over 55% of the population. Find a route near you at www.sustrans.org.uk
Roll up, roll up… to learn circus skills
In addition to an improved sense of balance and an increased ability to concentrate, circus skills offer children a non-competitive challenge – superb for moments when boredom sinks in. Find out more by visiting www.circusarts.org.uk
Stride out
Escape to those gloriously wide spaces to marvel at the natural beauty of the open courtryside, luscious forests or wild moors during a well planned short-ish hike that will allow children the chance to discover and explore more of the outdoors. To find out more go to www.ruralsports.co.uk/family-rambling
Attend an outdoor event
Open air theatre or a musical event is a wonderful occasion for all the family to enjoy. The relaxed social atmosphere that often feeds through into the early evening, culminating in a colourful crescendo of fireworks is sure to leave a lasting impression on any child.
A trip to the theatre...
Introducing your child to the magic of live theatre, be it a musical, play, pantomime or puppet show may start a lifelong love affair with the arts. During the summer many theatres run family showcases - check your local theatre for details.
Wonder at the grandeur of a stately home...
It’s hard not to be impressed by the grandeur of a stately home or castle and many of these historic gems provide vast open grounds, freely allowing children to roam in wonderment. Many properties offer an extensive calendar of children events and activities. Take a look at www.english-heritage.org.uk or www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Visit a local attraction
Spoilt for choice you will be, as you try to select where to go from a list of sizzling hot fun theme parks, eco-friendly zoos, indoor adventure play areas, super soaking water parks and fairytale castles.
Find Out What's On…
Of course, let’s not forget our very own Primary Times website – www.primarytimes.net - which is heaped with a plethora of boredom-busting ideas, children’s games and events taking place local to you!
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