The school summer holidays can be a really expensive time for families. Six weeks is a long time to keep the children busy and happy and the costs can quickly add up with days out and endless requests for snacks and ice creams.
There are loads of things you can do though that don’t even cost a penny. Here are 10 free things to do with the children this summer to keep them occupied without emptying your bank account.
1. Visit the local library
Get your children a library card and then take them on a trip to pick out some new books to enjoy.
Don’t just stop with a few new story books though.
Head to the activity section where you’ll find books on all sorts of things to keep the children busy once you get home. If they love cooking, find them a recipe book. If they love crafting, look for a book to teach them sewing or knitting. You get the idea!
2. Play some card games
Most of us have a pack of playing cards sitting in a draw at home. So dig them out and teach the children some fun games to play with them.
Young children will love a simple game of snap or memory.
For older children there are so many games you could try from chase the ace to go fish.
And if not everyone’s in the mood to play, then solitaire is a great game to play solo.
3. Go on a treasure hunt
Pick something to hide as treasure (it could be a packet of sweets from the cupboard or a treasured cuddly toy) and then build a treasure map to help the children find it.
Alternatively you could create a set of clues that lead to each other and then finally to the hidden treasure.
4. Go on a nature walk
Get everyone’s shoes on, grab a bottle of water, and head out to explore some nature.
Whether you head to the park, the woods, or the beach it doesn’t matter, just let the children run and explore and burn off some energy.
If they need something to focus on while you’re out then create a nature scavenger hunt so they can be on the lookout for things like birds, bugs, interesting shaped shells, or coloured leaves.
You could even give them your phone for a while and turn the outing into a photo walk.
5. Go swimming
If you live by the coast then make the most of warmer days and head down for a swim in the sea.
Some places also have outdoor lidos that are free to visit and great fun for the whole family.
Another alterative is to visit a local stream where you can take your shoes and socks off and have a paddle.
If you need to stay at home then even running a bath and letting the children play in there can be fun for a while! They could try building boats from different materials and see what floats the best.
6. Arrange a play date
Now that we can mix with other people a bit more, make a plan to meet up with your children’s friends.
You can meet in the park or invite a friend to your house so their parents can have a break for a few hours. Everyone is in the same boat, looking for free things to do with their children in the summer, so team up with your parent friends whenever you can!
7. Build a den
Whether it’s in the garden with branches and sheets hung off the washing line, or in the lounge with overturned chairs and blankets, children always love building dens.
If you want to go one step further, bring down their pillows and duvets and let them sleep in the den overnight.
8. Make some stop motion movies
Download a free stop motion app on your phone or tablet and let the children get creative making their own movies.
They can use so many different things from around the house to make these films, from buttons to play dough to lego and playmobil people.
9. Get arty
Children love to get creative, so dig out some paper, pencils and paints and see what they come up with.
If they need some help you can find loads of brilliant drawing tutorials on YouTube that they can follow.
10. Build an obstacle course
You can do this outside with flower pots to run around, bamboo sticks to limbo under, garden chairs to climb over, and chalk-drawn lines to balance along.
Or you can do it indoors using furniture and cushions.
Hopefully these ideas for free things to do with the children this summer has given you some inspiration!
What activity will your children want to try first?
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