to think summer are great if you have loads of money, and can go away, go.on loads if days out, generally have fab time yet it sucks a bit if your stink

[whiteandyelloworchid]

Skint I mean lol

It's just depressing me as dh has no time off at all. I'm.eight weeks pregnant. Everyone else seems to be going to Florida for three weeks or campingir some such.

I want to have a fantastic time with dd and I am looking forward to.spending the time together but its depressing nit having much spending money

When the weather is like this and you're broke, I agree.
I'm really close to lots of parks and country walks but the rain keeps spoiling my plans!

Life is what you make of it.

When I was growing up, my Dad never had time off work as we couldnt afford it and he was self employed, so it was down to my mum to provide entertainment. We went to the parks, had picnics, cheap days out on the coach to the seaside.

Loads of things to do for free if you get thinking about it. I found myself raiding brownies/scouts websites for games and activity ideas to do on a shoestring budget.

I love the holidays, but as i've said on another thread, I don't spend the whole 6 weeks with them due to work etc.

We will be at home with 3 DC's all 6 weeks of the summer. i am spending time in the evenings planning cheap/free things to do with them. treasure hunts, walks downloaded from the internet, scouring the newspapers for coupons, getting the tent out in the back garden, having friends over, having a cooking day, not everyone is off to florida and i bet there is loads to do in your area. plus of course if you are alone with your DD then whatever you do you will have a fantastic time because you are giving her something priceless - your undivided time and attention. she wont get it next year so enjoy whilst you can

How old is dd? If you tell us that we can suggest age appropriate stuff.

Off the top of my head I would say trips to the park are always a winner. See if you can round up a friend or two to go as well.

Baking and painting and even stuff like washing windows with her can be fun. My kids had a great time washing our garage door. They felt very important and it didn't matter what the results was!

My dd is five

Hurricane season in Florida.
Going to be stinking hot here next week or so. Parks are free, paddling pool fun is free.
On rainy days have a movie afternoon with popcorn etc.
Bake.
Playdates (especially nice when favour returned )

Have you checked with your local council or local childrens info service. Netmums local listings or childrens centres may also have ideas.

TBH I was suprised at how much free stuff they were putting on over the summer. No use to me as I work and need childcare but if you are not working there were lots of things for a few hours a day eg sports, allotment gardening, teddybears picnics.

One council is doing free swimming sessions over the summer and british gas also have a promotion for 2 free swims.

Oh great age! So is mine

Ok so:

Trips to library - you can get dvds as well as books

If raining put on clothes that don't matter and wellies and go to jump in puddles (followed by bath)

Trips to park as mentioned before

Keep a stock of ice cream, cones and sauce and sprinkles in the house so you she can have a treat when you get in and then you won't be pressured to buy ice cream all the time when you're out.

Is there a toy library in your area?

Bus trips

Going to the station to spot trains (I know, I know but some kids love that)

Bike rides or scooter rides around local streets

We´re not going away-which I don´t mind-as I much prefer to go away Eater or Autumn break-but the weather is so shit I can´t even get to the open air pool very often & that does piss me off.

Kids are teens so no bother, though.

could have sworn there was an "s" in Easter before I posted

Can your daughter have friends round to play & for meals/sleepovers?

Picnic somewhere-even the garden?

Day trips to places that are free when you get there!

Train trip somewhere?

Crash course swimming lessons are also only £10 a week for 5 lessons at our local council run pool (used to be £25)

British Gas were doing free swimming lessons, check out their website
Summer reading project at the library - also they do lots of other activities during the summer
Nature trails, collecting leaves and plants and working out what they are - get a book from library or use interweb
making snail/woodlice houses out of old ice cream tubs
My DCs spent practically all of yesterday making a "shop" in the living room, with displays, prices etc, I have to keep going in there to stock up on plastic fruit and veg!
Are you near any free museums?
Are children free on the buses near you - mine love going to a different place, just the journey is interesting and the promise of some sweets at the end!

oh sorry about tyops i was on phone on the bus.

yes your right one thing i can give is time and attention.

its just i ahev this really really strong urge to spend alot of money that i suppose we dont realy have

Ask your DD which friends she would like to see during the holiday and find out when they are away. I have done this for both my DC and have written everyone's holiday dates down so that I always know who it worth trying to arrange stuff with/the DC can call on.

yes i have got quite alot of dates to meet up with friends

I think you need to set a buget what you can afford to spend and then work it out weekly - at the risk of sounding overly 'planning', make a list of what's happening when and plan an activity each day, ideally having some 'raining day' plans in standby - like extra trips to the library etc.

Worth checking if there are any special events on at your local leisure centre and any art galleries/musuems near you (even if they aren't normally DC friendly, often they'll organise things in the holidays). Any national trust properties near you? they might have events on that aren't too expensive. Check if your local churches are having 'holiday clubs' - these are normally half day and free (or very low cost) for a week, they will be 'God themed' but if that doesn't bother you, DCs normally have a lot of fun.

There's loads you can do with a 5 year old regardless of the weather!

Our local library (only a small town) usually has quite a few craft days during the holidays which are usually free, and if you have to pay it is usually only 50p or £1. You can usually bring some unused craft stuff home with you as well so you can continue the activity at home

Check your council website - our local council is running a playscheme. It's four hours a day of organised activities and is free. It's drop in too, so DD doesn't have to go every day

Check your local council they often have sports classes etc...that are only £1

thanks for your advice, i'm starting to write a list of ideas

are 5 year olds free on the train?

oh under five are ffree on the train, so might go on a over night trip to the seaside if i can russle up the funds