To ask how you plan on keeping your preschoolers entertained during the summer holidays? Help!

[Givemethestrength]

What activities/toys/days out etc do you all have planned for your 4 year olds to get through the summer holidays?

I've been sticking my head in the sand and now it's crept up on me. DD isn't the type to sit and draw either and has an unlimited amount of energy so it's going to be a long 6+ weeks unless I get some stuff in the diary!

I'm working so won't have DC with me full 6 weeks - that actually helps with breaking it up!

Week 1: three days of childcare/wraparound provision (both DC have friends there), followed by two days with auntie/uncle/cousins of similar age

Week 2/3: family camping hol
Week 4: 4 days back with at childcare and one day with me.
Week 5: 3 days with grandparents, 1 day with me, 1 with dad.
Week 6: 2 days with different aunt & cousins, 1 day with me, then 2 days with different grandparent.

Then back to school. Its been a mission to coordinate, the childcare especially was not easy to work out for the right days. It's not the best provision but we just can't get through 6 weeks without it.

Childcare will include taking them to a variety of local parks, lots of crafts etc, loads of time outdoors including big paddling pool, trampoline & sandpit, visits to local libraries, and a trip to a local museum suitable for kids their age. Grandparents will take them to inexpensive stuff - one set have national trust passes and a couple nearby with decent kids playgrounds.

For a four year old with unlimited energy I'd say playground/park/forest/beach/splash park whatever you have nearby. Lots of fresh air, lots of exercise. Try different playgrounds. Visit a zoo or farm. Scoot. Cycle. Run. Collect twigs/shells/leaves etc. Make sure you have wet weather stuff so you can get out everyday.

Organise some meet-ups with friends (yours and hers) to give you some adult company and her some time with other kids.

For inside stuff, swimming is a great energy burner and not too expensive. Softplay or a trampoline place (but they are pricey). Some museums can be good for this age, ones that have space to move around and exhibits that can be touched mainly. I always find the library kills a solid hour if she likes books. Maybe look if there are any drop-off clubs in your area to give you some time away from each other!

For stuff to do at home if she's not a sit down and draw type; big chalk for the pavement, spray bottle to water the grass/flowers (this is a good exercise to strengthen the hand muscles she'll need for early writing in September), paintbrush and water to 'paint' the pavement/fences, freeze some of her toys in ice and let her smash the ice.up.to free them, hide stuff/write clues and have a treasure hunt, set up an assault course round the house/in the garden and time her doing it (do it multiple times over the holiday and see if she can beat her time each week).