school’s OUT for summer!
SOON school will be out and echoes of ‘Mum, I’m bored!’ will resound throughout the house. Keeping the kids happy over the summer holidays can be daunting for parents, especially those on a budget. But with the help of our advertisers, families can keep the wee ones entertained, and if they learn something in the bargain, well, that makes everyone happy. In our ‘School’s out for summer’ feature, we will share tips and ideas to have a fun holiday for the whole family.
Get out and about. There are lots of events and activities on offer for kids 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 kids in summer, and usually have free or reduced entrance for children.
Get cooking. This is a great activity for a rainy day. Pick a recipe with the kids, go shopping for ingredients and cook something together. It doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated- a special sandwich or cookies that the kids can help put together will mean a lot to them.
Get looking. Organise a treasure hunt with clues and prizes- inside if it’s rainy or in the garden if it’s 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 campout or a walk, even if it’s in your own backyard. Have a family mini-Olympics with sack races, tug of war and foot races. Let the kids make ‘medals’ and celebrate the event with a picnic. Summer is the ideal time for a family camping trip, and with a wide variety of campsites for every taste, from roughing it to glamping, you don’t have to go far.
Remember that it’s not necessary to fill the kid’s schedules every minute of the summer. By letting children play on their own in their rooms or in the garden, they will develop imagination and independence. And it gives mum and dad a much needed break!