The last school bell has rung, and it is time to enjoy the holiday! After spending many months studying, the long-awaited time for rest is on! During these weeks full of warmth and relaxation, it is best to make use of our spare time with unique activities to have our little ones spend a joyous summer filled with laughter and happy memories. Can’t find any activities? Don’t worry! We have prepared a list for you, with the best places to go and enjoy the summer with your children. Let’s explore, and find the best activities for our little ones, considering their interests.
Outdoor Activities
After spending the weeks inside classrooms, it is best to cherish summer by spending our days outdoors, basking under the warmth of the sun.
- Beach Trips: Sun’s out, swimsuits out! During the warm weeks of summer, it is best to enjoy the coastlines of Cornwall, Devon, Brighton, or many other beaches that are child-friendly, allowing our little adventurers to build sandcastles, paddle in the sea, and explore rock pools. Keep in mind that on the beach, safety is key for doubling the fun, and remember to keep an eye on your little one during trips to the beach. Pack your swimming essentials, wear your sun cream, and enjoy the sea!
- Parks and Gardens: Lying under the trees, playing hide and seek, and having a nice picnic is a good option for spending the warm summer days. Taking advantage of the breeze of the trees, animal-watching and collecting flowers (if the parks allow so!) is a fun way of dealing with the warmth while not wasting a drop of summer. Places like Kew Gardens, Hyde Park, or the Lake District are good options for having a great time in nature with our little ones.
- Adventure Parks: Some kids enjoy more energetic activities, and adventure parks are the best for allowing them to enjoy the summer with unique and fun activities on their holiday. Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Princess Diana Memorial Park, AHOY! Children’s Gallery, the Cove Playground and Legoland are waiting for you!
Educational and Cultural Activities
- Museums: Learning can be fun during summer too! Museums like the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, the British Museum, Victoria Albert Museum, and Young V&A Museum offer interactive exhibits and fun activities for children to enjoy during the summer, making learning fun and entertaining.
- Historical Sites: History is a vast ocean of discoveries! Castles like Warwick Castle or The Tower of London allow our little ones to explore history, and learn in an engaging way.
- Workshops and Camps: many museums and community centres offer summer workshops for arts, science and history for our little ones to spend the summer filled with engaging activities while improving their skills in self-expression and even teamwork.
Creative and Indoor Activities
When we want to spend the day indoors but keep the fun going, we have a long and fun list of activities waiting for our little ones as well!
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- Arts and Crafts Classes: Local art studios and community centres often offer summer classes where kids can explore their creativity, express themselves and have fun in the world of shapes and colours!
- Cooking Classes: Many culinary schools and community kitchens offer special cooking classes for children to enjoy during summer! Cooking both improves their skills in teamwork and promotes cognitive growth while offering them a fun and delicious activity!
- Indoor Play Centres: Soft play areas and trampoline parks provide a safe environment for our little ones to enjoy their free time and burn off energy, without having to stay under the sun for long periods. Pack their sweatpants, and some snacks to enjoy, and let’s go!
Sports and Adventure Activities
- Sports Camps: Busying our little ones with a specific type of sport allows them to focus and master their abilities, and form a community around other children who also keep up with the same activity. Football, tennis, and swimming camps are widely available and can help kids improve themselves.
- Cycling and Hiking: Sports like cycling and hiking can turn physical activities into family events, and family-friendly trails in places like the New Forest, Peak District or Thames Path are the best for spending a day full of nature, sports and discoveries.
Local Community Events
- Summer Fairs and Festivals: especially during summer, many towns and cities host summer fairs, music festivals and outdoor cinema events which can be a new and unique experience for kids. With many stands to look at and many stages to watch, fairs and festivals are the best for having a day filled with joy and laughter.
- Libraries and Community Centres: storytelling sessions, craft days, and themed events are easier to come across during summer. For your little one to have an entertaining day in which they can form a community, participate in teamwork and improve their overall skills, community centres and libraries provide a lot of opportunities.
Unique Experiences
Sometimes the children might not want to spend the day playing hopscotch in a park and might crave something totally different. We got you!
- Farm visits: So many animals, so many trees, so many fruits and so many veggies! Spending a day at a farm where kids can learn about animals and farming can provide both a lot of fun and education. If possible, picking their own fruits and vegetables can make them more interested in farming, homegrown and homecooked food and cooking in general.
- Theatre Shows: All the world is a stage, and the summer holiday is a great opportunity to get your little one hooked on art, literature and theatre. For a family evening filled with art and performance, local theatres have many options, especially during the summer holiday.
- Camping: Whether in a national park or a family-friendly campsite, camping, and spending the night under the stars surrounded by nature can be thrilling. Making a campfire, sitting around it and chatting the night off with the family makes for the warmest memories filled with joy and laughter.
