Summer holidays are always too short for children, but for adults, they seem to go on forever.
Perhaps you’ve already been away, or you’ve used up all your ideas for keeping the kids occupied, and you’re facing another month of finding things for the family to do without losing your marbles.
With so many days to fill, the summer holidays are a brilliant opportunity for children to develop their interests, but it takes some doing to keep making things happen with a plan for all weathers.
For parents, the summer can be a constant conundrum around how you can:
Now THAT is one tall order! So we’ve put together some inspiration from our own experiences and from friends to help you fill the days until the new school year for a fun and fabulous summer at home.
Staying still and quiet doesn’t come naturally for children, and it’s being outside where they can unleash their sense of adventure, so here are some tips for outdoor fun at home.
With so many ideas and possibilities, your garden is effectively a secure adventure playground where the kids can entertain themselves for hours without defaulting to a screen.
Ahh, British weather. We might not be plagued by monsoons and sandstorms, but we never know what we’ll get from one summer to the next, which can make planning ahead a bit of a lottery.
Statistically, the UK gets between 8 and 15 days of rain in August, and you can bet they’ll fall when it’s your big day out, so it’s good to have some flexibility and fall-back plans.
Of course, telly and movies can also be fun when it’s tipping it down, but it’s handy to have a backup of active and creative activities that bring joy to a rainy day.
Heading out locally is a great way to avoid travel costs and lengthy delays, and there’s usually lots more going on during the school holidays.
And if you want to go further afield, you can find some great lists online of family days out for every part of the UK and every kind of interest, from flight simulators and film studios to castles and creepy caves.
Outside of school and education, learning can be a really fun experience for children, and there are people and places conjuring up all sorts of ideas and activities, both in the real world and online.
Summer is the only season when children have so much time for play and discovery, so the holidays can be the perfect opportunity to fuel their curiosity and discover a new hobby.
It’s really easy and understandable to give all your spare time to your children, but adults need time for themselves as well, whether together, alone or with friends.
Taking turns with other local parents to look after each other’s children can help you carve out valuable space for yourself, giving you time for things like:
Even just a few hours can make a real difference, and a little bit of self-care can help you relax, recharge and retain some balance.
How are you spending your summer at home?
However you spend your summer this year, we wish you a fun-filled time with your family and hope that our list of tips gives you plenty of ideas.
And if moving home is ever on the cards, we’d love to help you sell or buy a property in the Wilton & Salisbury area and nearby. Call us on 01722 580059 or drop us a line at info@piccoloproperty.co.uk for a friendly chat whenever the time is right.
Sign up to our monthly newsletter and get insights straight into your inbox.