Entertaining the Kids this Summer Dos and Don’ts List

pinkoddy

11 years ago

With the Sun coming out it’s made me realise that I need to start planning for those long School Summer holidays. With my oldest just taking his A-levels I have learnt a thing or two over the years about surviving those long 6 weeks. Here is a Entertaining the Kids this Summer Dos and Don’ts List:

Have things planned. Not only does it give the children something to focus on/look forward to it, but it gives you a break too. I find there’s nothing worse than a child just moaning they are bored or being stuck on computer games too long that they are just snappy.
Make sure you plan things suitable for the children’s ages – if you have a big age gap then at least make sure each child is covered at some point.
Arrange to meet up with friends, or playdates with children from school – it’s a long time for them not to see each other and they will entertain one another.
Get out the house – fresh air, Vitamin D and exercise is good for you all and will put you in a much better mood.
Go and explore Nature.
Visit the Seaside.

Take a trip to your local theatre.
Be prepared for wet weather –stock up on recycling and craft materials.
Do remember the Sun Cream – being burnt is not nice, worse than that you could end up ill, or it could cause skin Cancer – not worth the risk. Try to avoid going out at the peak times, wear a hat and long sleeves.

Do drink plenty of water.
Make sure you have plenty of food and drink in. I do not know whether it is boredom, extra exercise or the heat but they seem to just up their calorie intake. Also I think supermarkets crowded with too many bored/fed up/tired children is a nightmare – get non-perishables so you always have something to offer them.
Pack a picnic for days out – meaning children can eat when they are hungry and it doesn’t cost a fortune.
Do look for money saving deals and tokens on your shopping.

DON’T

Do too much at once. Plan your entertainment/activities with times to rest in between.
Forget to still eat healthy foods – fruit and salad are good snacks in the warmer months.
Don’t forget to make sure you and your children have correct fitting swim costumes.

Leave it too late to buy a paddling pool.
Leave school uniform and shoe shopping until the last minute. There’s less availability, less special offers, and too many mad panicked parents with fed up children.
Forget to get them slowly back into a routine before school starts. Starting with an earlier bedtime each night.
Dismiss revisiting places you have been before. Last year we visited a whole host of theme parks including Paulton’s the home of Peppa Pig World and the boys are eager to return there again.