School’s out for summer

Soon it will be the summer holidays and echoes of ‘can I play Fortnite?’ will be heard from houses throughout the area. It can be difficult to balance leisure activities with how much screen time to allow your children. However, in this ‘school’s out for summer’ feature, we will arm you with ideas, so you have a reply when the inevitable sighs of ‘I’m bored’ commence.

GET OUT AND ABOUT

There are lots of events and activities on offer for children through the summer, so check the newspaper, local websites and the bulletin board at the library for story times, arts and crafts days, classes and special interest groups.

Many community activities such as this are free or very affordable, so they won’t break the bank.

GET CULTURE

Museums and galleries often have special exhibitions aimed at children in the summer, and usually have free or reduced entry for children.

This is especially true with this year with it being the Year of Young People.

We’re blessed with a number of historical castles in our area.

Have a look online and see if you’re

favourite monument has special offers on for young people.

GET COOKING

With the popularity of shows such as the Great British Bake-Off, following recipes in your kitchen is something the children might just consider cool.

This is a great activity for a rainy day. Let the young people pick a recipe, go shopping for ingredients and cook something together. It doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated – it could be truffles, cookies, a cake or something a little more healthy.

It’s also a great way to get them to try new things, because if they’ve helped to create the goodie, they will be much more likely to give it a go.

GET LOOKING

Organise a treasure hunt with clues and prizes

– inside if it is rainy or in the garden if it is dry. The whole neighbourhood could get involved and hide things up and down the street.

GET CREATIVE

Set up an arts and crafts day with canvas, paints or even crayons. Frame the resulting masterpieces – it makes great art for the children’s rooms or the kitchen.

GET OUTDOORS

Dry days are great for picnics, ball games, a camp-out or a walk, even if it’s in your own garden.

Have a family mini-Olympics with sack races, tug of war and foot races. Let the youngsters make ‘medals’ and celebrate the event with a picnic.

Summer is ideal for a family camping trip, and with a variety of sites for every taste, from roughing it to glamping, you don’t have to go far.

Remember that it’s not necessary to fill the child’s schedule every minute of the summer.

By letting them play on their own in their rooms or in the garden, they will develop imagination and independence.

And Fortnite is fun.