What to do with DD during the summer

[Jinglebellsarenearlyhere]

Advice / suggestions needed to parents / carers of 12 year olds. What do your 12 year olds do each day in the long summer break? Too old to be taken to activities regardless of their opinion, too young to be totally independent. Help! The Nanny and I are stuck on how to entertain DD age 12, an only child interested in minecraft and art, not very sociable with people she does not know, friends scattered far and wide, none in immediate locality as only just moved into area.

[ineedamoreadultieradult]

If she is interested in Art then can you visit any galleries? Outside sculpture parks/trails?
Could she go stay with friends for a bit and you return the favour?
I'm not sure why she is too old for activities? There are lots advertised near me my son would love to do but he is too young at 9. There is surf school, rock climbing, gorge walking etc all for the older age groups.
Libraries and museums sometimes have things for the older ones our museum had a week long activity where the kids made a mini movie using some high tec equipment from the uni, that was for secondary school age.
Also the uni sometimes has things on as well for older ones.
Surely your Nanny must know where to look for inspiration?

[mouldycheesefan]

Have friends over, at least one or two per week
Cinema
Bowling
Swimming
Library
Museums
Art galleries
Climbing/sports
Mini break away
Arts and crafts
Cooking
Any local attractions, check tripadvisor do the top ten attractions in your town
Relaxing in garden
Ask her to do a list of stuff she wants to do.

[mouldycheesefan]

If friends are scatters far and wide is the summer hols not th idol time to visit them or invite them over?

[thesandwich]

Geocaching or Pokemon go?

[LocalEditorSutton]

Where are you based, Jinglebellsarenearlyhere? Perhaps you could ask your friendly neighbourhood Mumsnet Local Editor to help with some ideas?

Think tweens are often easier to win over than their teen siblings. They think they're quite grown-up but not beyond indulging in and enjoying childhood pursuits. Off the top of my head, things such as:

a week's drama camp;
a PGL camp;
Go Ape (or something similar)
any of the indoor trampoline 'parks' that seem to be popping up everywhere
bowling
ice-skating
roller-skating
theme park
theatre
skateboarding
learn a new sport - old enough for something like squash?
pottery session
cookery school
day trip on the train (much more exciting than going in the car)
trip to the seaside

Maybe involve her in planning some of the activities to keep her 'on side'?

Good luck.

[Justasjolly]

I think it may be wise to look for things to do at home as well (unless you're loaded!) I think being arty works in her favour. Look on Pinterest for inspiration for projects. Things like sewing projects maybe making cushion covers for her room or there's some beautiful wall art on there. Try looking at button art. There's loads of photography products too, no need for a fancy camera the camera on an I phone is great. Also things like restoring a piece of furniture, rubbing it down and re painting.
Get her to help with the cooking, she can research recipes and then cook you dinner. Win win!
Another good one, get her to sort through her stuff, seperate anything she doesn't want and list it on eBay, or take to car boot, she gets the profit.

[Jinglebellsarenearlyhere]

Thanks everyone. Things have got a bit better as I have put more energy into suggesting things. The nanny is great but used to younger kids.

I'm making a list and a bit of a routine. The great thing is housework is getting done between nanny and her!!!!

It's tough as we are new to the area and she is an only child and so many things are better with a friend.