To ask what you do as a family?

[GlossyGlossy]

Both DP and I work full time - He works office hours and I do shiftwork so not always off together iyswim.

Our area is a bit shit and DS goes to school in a different catchment so I can't let him out to play in our street. Sometimes feel he's a bit lonely and would like to do more with him.

Life's a bit hectic and we are skint, what do you all get up to as a family thats cheap, fun and doesnt require too much forward planning?

I know there's the obvious - park, beach, ballgames, picnic but would like to hear some more ideas?

We do try to spend time with friends who have kids the same age too so he has someone to play with, but I have an anxiety disorder and a customer facing job and sometimes need to spend my time off having a rest from being social.

Thanks all, some amazing ideas here. I think DS would love the rock painting idea so will look into a favebook group for that.

There's only one NT site near us and you can get into the grounds for free, will make an effort to go there more often.

We dont have bikes but will have a look on Gumtree and see if I can pick up a couple of cheap second hand ones.

I had a brain wave earlier and have decided to do some tie dying in the garden with cheap white tshirts and dylon if that gives amyone some inspiration!

Both work FT
Kite was a big hit as was frisbee
Netflix,cinema,cook together. Board games,
With the cooking it’s great for all ages,and they’ll be more inclined to eat it too

How old is ds ?
With our dc, we've sort of followed their lead a bit, so they have joined something, and , through supporting that, spent some time together taking and fetching them, and pitching in when the groups need parent support. Would that work ? So, for example, your ds joins Scouts - he gets one night a week of the best value for money activity there is,, makes other friends in the area. You - depending on how much you want to offer - can get really involved, or just occasionally involved, as suits you. He flourishes. Plenty of opportunities to get involved if you want to, but not compulsory if you don't.

My DC are exceptionally active, (8 and 12) and do sporting events 6 x per week (up to 2 sports per day) however every Saturday evening and all day Sunday we have this time as family time. Me and dh both work F/T

Saturdays they love nothing more than movies nights with friends, pizza, treats and ginger, they also love bouldering and fishing, and playing football on the beach.

Sunday’s is always a big family affair, they go to their allotment and pick veg and tatties for Sunday dinner, we also bake cakes, family time on gadgets (we have monopoly on Xbox and they love it) bike rides, etc...

I also cook for SIL and her partner and their 3 kids and if inlaws are home, (they live overseas) them also, however with the weather lately it’s been constant BBQ, and friends have come over as well with their children and the boys have played water games and been in the water pool etc...

On an Sunday evening the boys do as they wish, and we get to relax with some wine.

How old is your ds? If you are near a Dobbies they do a free monthly gardening club for 4-10 year olds. You usually need to book in advance.

The Wildlife Trusts have lots of great sites and activities. Their Wildlife Watch club is great too (for 5-14 year olds) with free entry to sites and events.