SUMMER HOLIDAYS WITH KIDS

It's finally that time of year we have all been waiting for, it's summer - well apparently it is, but has someone actually told the British weather because it's not quite got the memo. It is what it is though and summer holidays are definitely here now, I know some schools have been broken up a little while but it's only just here for my boys, I think our local area stay in a week longer in July in compensation for the extra week they get in October. I have to admit I do quite enjoy that as 6-7 weeks is a very long time to have off, it's finding that balance of trying to keep them occupied whilst also juggling everything else in life. Work is a really big element too, it's not always achievable for parents to be at home for the holidays, especially single parents but I'm thankful that this summer I've got a solid three weeks at home with my two which feels fantastic.

We're off to Espana for a good ten days of the holidays which is really helpful because it breaks up that restlessness kids can get whilst they're at home. I thought I'd share some ideas that I find work for us to keep the boys entertained throughout the days as I know in the past by week two I'm usually out of plans or thoughts of what to do. Holidays don't have to be spenny either, of course they can be if you're heading out to big days out every single day, the thought actually makes me wince as over the last year or so I've found family days out have genuinely become extortionate - I don't know how people with 4+ children afford them, but I guess that's how the economy is now. I often find doing something in a morning is always better with the boys, even if it goes into early afternoon, it's just always the best. If we plan an afternoon activity it usually results in being asked all morning when we're going, what time it is or how many minutes till we leave. You know how it is if you have little ones. It also allows you to skip out of eating lunch out if you're on more of a budget, if you know you're going to be back home by 1pm it makes the day our a lot more affordable. Or of course taking a picnic is always a great option, especially now the weather is dryer as you can settle down somewhere and snack away.

For me I like to try and have a mixture of fun and learning, that doesn't have to be sitting down and doing maths or english it can be something simple as swimming or a bike ride - it's a great way to sneak in exercise that the kids don't feel at all as it's something they enjoy. It also lets me feel much better when we have a home afternoon if we have had a busy and full on morning. 

This summer holidays though here's a little list of a few things that might help give you ideas of how to keep the little ones busy whilst not totally breaking the bank:

  • Swimming
  • Pokemon go hunt (my kids never loved walking so much till they got the app)
  • Junior Park runs (usually a sunday morning, search for your local)
  • At home garden sports day
  • National trust visit
  • Bike ride / scooter ride
  • Rollerskating
  • Ice skating rink (great if you want to escape the heat and never too pricey)
  • Local outdoor cinema
  • Plant flowers / grow cress
  • Baking
  • Making ice lollies
Hopefully that's helped a little and I find pinterest is a god send for ideas and ways to jazz up even activities you might think are boring, I remember when mine were really little being able to print off wildlife bingo cards for a simple trip to the park. Another favourite evening activity of ours is a family movie night, we do already have a popcorn and candy floss machine which make them a little bit more special, but it's easy to print off some cinema tickets and grab a duvet downstairs just to make things that little bit more special. Don't forget the snacks of course!

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