only child and long summer holiday

[9hjjye]

This is our first school summer holiday and am getting quite anxious about keeping my only child entertained over the summer. We will send him to holiday clubs for a couple of weeks and have two weeks away with friends but it still feels like such a long stretch. Any strategies for how best to fill time if you have an only child?

Is it just the 2 weeks with no plans?
Are you off for those 2 weeks?
If it’s 2 weeks and I had one I’d organise a friends play date thing once a week, go somewhere new (town, seaside, new park etc) once per week, get uniform sorted one of the days, big bedroom declutter, a couple of lunches out and a day where he helps plan breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I had 3 to entertain and during the holidays we did things like that.

If you are busy for 4 weeks then I think 2 weeks will work itself out. He will probably want some chill mornings or afternoons too. Maybe park trips, play dates etc will be enough to fill it up.

Lots of things you can do indoors on rainy days, baking, make playdough, collage, painting, printing, design and make a house/ castle for favourite toys/ characters.
Outdoors large chalks on the floor, bubbles, painting with water , writing with a squeezy bottle, make an obstacle course. Get a tuff spot ( builders tray) and look online for ideas
Make a den, pop up tent, Teddy bears picnic.

What about the last 4 years?

Offer to have a friend over a few days

At the moment, we are trying to negotiate so the two unfilled weeks will be off. Last year, DC went to nursery so we just took two weeks off and went away. But this time, it's a lot longer. A lot of our friends are away the whole summer. Don't want him to get bored with us.

Was also wondering whether other people try and keep up with their learning or just give them a break. I can see DS forgetting everything after six weeks.

He's 5 please just let him relax. He won't forget everything and he needs time to recharge and rest.

I'm genuinely amazed that most of your friends are away for the whole 6 weeks, I don't think any of our friends are going away this summer for more than a long weekend.

I take it he's 4 or 5 and just finished reception ?

If so you have the 2 weeks club and 2 weeks holidays sorted so that's great. Are you working at all or at home for the holidays (apart from the 2 weeks away) ? If you're at home they will need down time, simple things as well so it's not all full on eg summer reading challenge at the local library , swimming, kids weekend cinema trip with cheap films, local beach with picnic or NT property or local great play area , going shopping for new school supplies inc backpack or stationery - bake together or make pizza for tea ,camp outside etc et

I so wish my teenager was back t this age - enjoy every precious moment

After his first year at school, DS kept going to his childminder (who did wraparound care a few days a week for him during termtime), apart from when we took annual leave. Now he’s 11, it’s a combination of holiday camps etc and his friends’ parents pooling childcare, so we all take it in turns to have all of them.

Are you off work for all of it?
if so, great, offer play dates for his classmates- even ones he’s not usually friends with.

if you’re working, what childcare is available, camp?

Have a look at the five minute mum books. They’re full of great ideas

It’s good for kids find ways to deal with been bored and to have some proper down time. Ask him for suggestions of what he wants to do.
I used to have a I’m bored jar which contained a mixture of simple chores and easy activities, if my kids complained I told them to pick a note from the jar.

When DC was that age I took him to a local attraction a few time (got a summer season ticket), went to other local places, seaside, swimming,libraries, different parks, free museums and just played at home in the garden/on bikes. Look out for kids events locally.

It feels like a long stretch of time but it won't be

You don’t need to do much at this age - walks and parks and playgrounds , cooking and Lego and movies and games at home - maybe a play date or two . A London museum or somewhere like Legoland or a zoo if you have the budget / are near enough

at this age don’t worry about work … just keep reading

@YourNameGoesHere DC goes to an international school so most of his friends are going home for the summer to visit grandparents with parents WFH. We're UK based so not doing the same.

Am sure DS will be fine, six weeks just sounds like a lot of time to plan.

Cinema
Picnic my dd loved having an indoor picnic and helping me choose what to have and helping me get it ready
Walk at a local beauty spot
Board games painting coloring
Film at home with hot dogs and popcorn great on a rainy day
Check if any museums if you have any near you do any open days our local one does some great things for kids like treasure hunts or crafts
Go on the bus or train to somewhere local
My dd’s an only child and she loved just playing at home some days or just watching tv and having stories at that age

If it's your first one it does seem daunting but I'd say walks, treasure hunts, library, craft, movie afternoon with pop corn, reading together and just being together will be enough. They'll be tired the first week anyway so may not need much.

Oh yes, am totally daunted by the prospect of such a long summer - will make a list of all the different suggestions