I consider myself a veteran Dad these days, so I know the summer holidays can be exciting for kids but terrifying for parents.
While the kids are thrilled to be off school, parents often worry about keeping them entertained without breaking the bank. As well as worrying about keeping hold of their sanity.
After years of trial and error, I’ve compiled a list of free activities that have been lifesavers for my family. These ideas will help you through the long summer break without emptying your wallet or losing your mind.
Go on a Picnic Adventure
One of my family’s favourite summer activities is having a picnic. It’s simple, free, and the kids absolutely love it. We pack up some sandwiches, fruits, and maybe a few treats, grab a blanket, and head to our local park or even just the back garden.
To make it more exciting, I often turn it into a mini-adventure:
- We pretend we’re explorers discovering a new land
- We play ‘I Spy’ with the surroundings
- We have a competition to see who can make the best daisy chain
You can do anything really. My kids quite liked picking the perfect picnic spot.
The best part? The children get involved in preparing the picnic, which keeps them occupied even before we leave the house, and they are only eating what they were going to have anyway.
It’s a brilliant way to spend quality time together and enjoy the great outdoors without spending a penny.
Library Fun
Our local library has been an absolute godsend during the summer holidays. It’s not just about borrowing books (although that’s brilliant too). Many libraries run free summer reading challenges, which my kids love. They get stickers and certificates for reading a certain number of books, which really motivates them.
But there’s more to it than just reading:
- We attend free storytelling sessions
- The kids participate in craft workshops
- There is a morning Lego club
- We use the computers to explore topics they’re interested in
Libraries often have information about other free local events too, so it’s always worth popping in to see what’s on offer.
Garden Olympics
Who needs expensive theme parks when you have a garden (or even a small outdoor space)? We love to host our own ‘Garden Olympics’. It’s free, it keeps the kids active, and it’s a great way to spend time together as a family.
Here are some of our favourite ‘events’:
- Egg and spoon race (using a potato if you don’t want to waste eggs)
- Sack race (using old pillowcases)
- Obstacle course (using any household items)
- Target practice (throwing balls into buckets… or at Dad…)
We make medals using cardboard and tin foil, and the kids love designing them. It’s amazing how competitive everyone gets – even the adults!
If you don’t have a garden you can go to a local park or out into the countryside. All you need is a bit of grass.
Nature Scavenger Hunt
Getting out into nature is not only free, but it’s also educational and fun. I often organise nature scavenger hunts for my kids. We head to our local park, woods, or even just around the neighbourhood, armed with a list of things to find.
Our scavenger hunt usually includes:
- Different types of leaves
- Specific colours of flowers
- Interesting shaped stones
- Signs of wildlife (like feathers or animal tracks)
It’s a great way to teach the kids about the environment and encourage them to observe the world around them. Plus, it keeps them engaged for hours.
I give out prizes at the end like small bags of Haribo, but you don’t have to.
DIY Science Experiments
Who says you need an expensive science kit to have fun? Some of our most memorable days have been spent doing simple science experiments with everyday household items.
Here are a few of our favourites:
- Making a volcano with baking soda and vinegar
- Creating a lava lamp with oil, water, and food colouring
- Growing crystals using sugar and water
- Making slime with cornflour and water
Not only are these experiments fun, but they’re also educational. The kids learn about chemical reactions, density, and more, all while having a blast.
Check Youtube for ideas on different experiments, there are loads on there.
Backyard Camping
Camping doesn’t have to mean packing up the car and driving for hours. We love to set up camp in our back garden. It’s free, and the kids think it’s a huge adventure.
Here’s what we do:
- Set up a tent (or make one with sheets and chairs if you don’t have a tent)
- Tell stories by torchlight
- Look at the stars and try to identify constellations
- Have a midnight feast (which is usually about 9 pm)
The best part? If it rains or gets too cold, you can always head back inside. To be honest we have never slept through the night in our garden tent, but you could.
Create a Mini Art Gallery
On rainy days, we love to get creative. We set up our own little art gallery in the house. Each family member creates a piece of art, and then we have a grand ‘opening’ where we all view and discuss each other’s masterpieces.
We use whatever we have around the house:
- Crayons and paper
- Old magazines for collages
- Natural materials like leaves and twigs for nature art
- Even digital art if we have access to a computer
It’s a great way to encourage creativity and self-expression, and it doesn’t cost a thing.
Family Talent Show
Another rainy day favourite in our house is the family talent show. Everyone gets to showcase a talent – whether it’s singing, dancing, telling jokes, or doing magic tricks.
We make it feel like a real show:
- Create tickets for the ‘audience’
- Make a stage area in the living room
- Use a wooden spoon as a microphone
It’s hilarious, and often the adults end up being more enthusiastic than the kids.
If you’re tired and want 15 minutes to yourself, you can ask the kids to go away and create a play or a show, then perform it for you.
Create a Time Capsule
This is a fun activity that also creates a lovely keepsake. We gather items that represent our summer and put them in a container to be opened in the future.
Items might include:
- Drawings or paintings the kids have made
- A letter to their future selves
- Photos of our summer activities
- Small objects that are meaningful to them
We then bury it in the garden or hide it in the attic (or under the floorboards in our old house). The kids love the idea of rediscovering it years later.
Learn a New Skill
Summer is a great time for kids to learn something new. We choose a skill and spend a little time each day practising it. By the end of the summer, they’ve usually made impressive progress.
Some skills we’ve tackled:
- Juggling (using balled-up socks)
- Origami (using old newspapers)
- Instruments if you have any
- Magic tricks (using household items)
- A new language (using free online resources)
It’s amazing how proud they feel when they master something new. Even if they only learn a few words in German, or whatever, it’s a huge achievement for young kids.
Community Clean-Up
This might not sound like the most exciting activity, but my kids actually really enjoy it. We organise a little community clean-up in our local area. It teaches them about responsibility and caring for the environment.
We make it fun by:
- Having a competition to see who can collect the most litter
- Identifying the strangest item found
- Rewarding ourselves with treats afterwards
It’s a great way to get some exercise, do something good for the community, and teach important values.
In conclusion, keeping kids entertained during the summer holidays doesn’t have to be expensive. With a bit of creativity and enthusiasm, you can create memorable experiences that are completely free. Remember, the most important thing is spending quality time together as a family, but it helps to be structured.
