The school summer holidays have officially started! "Day One in the family household..."
Hoping you've had a well-deserved lie-in, but no doubt the DCs will have leapt out of bed bright and early, with an energetic enthusiasm not normally seen on school days 
! Funny that 
.
Once the initial euphoria of unstructured days wears off (and your family holiday may be behind you), it's easy to get stuck in a bit of a rut entertaining the children without spending a fortune.
Never fear, Mumsnet Merton is here 
, with some trips out and about that are only a bus-ride (or so) away. Bus journeys with the children can be great fun, a novelty for those of us who usually travel by car, give you a sometimes spectacularly scenic/sightseeing view of your environs as you travel (if you sit upstairs) and some 'down' time to recharge your batteries particularly on your way home! And with bus travel free for school-age children, walking and cycling aside, it's the most economical way of getting around!
In Merton, we're particularly lucky to be served by buses which take us into the heart of London or out to leafy Surrey! So top up your Oyster Card and use the TFL bus journey planner and Mumsnet Local homepage to get planning.
Here are four ideas to get your started. Of course the convenience and logistical feasibility of these trips may vary depending on where you live in Merton. Nevertheless, there will be some entirely marvellous, magical mystery bus journeys that will happily give you a full day out and hopefully tire out the DCs so much that they get an early and good night's sleep! Leaving you to enjoy a well-deserved 
!
Richmond on the 493 for a walk along beside the River Thames to Ham House for a picnic, a boat-trip up/down the Thames to Kew or Kingston/Hampton, a visit to Richmond Museum and/or the theatre (Celebration and Angelina Ballerina being two family-oriented summer holiday options). Or why not cross over the bridge and marvel at Richmond from the Twickenham side, walking along to Marble Hill House and Marble Hill Playground (for children and young people aged five to 15 years old).
Battersea Park on the 44 for cycles to hire, a row/pedalo boat trip on the lake, an amazing outdoor adventure playground, Battersea Park Zoo, the Pump House Gallery with its family-oriented 'Sunday Socials' and not forgetting, for the animal-lovers amongst us, nearby Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.
Ewell and Epsom on the 470 with a visit to one of the many inspiring Bourne Hall Museum Summer Holiday History events aimed at families (in Ewell), followed by a fantastic visit to
Hobbledown, children's adventure park and farm (but do pre-book), just a short walk from Epsom town-centre!
Southbank or Westminster on the 77 with more sightseeing options than you can possibly fit into one day or even a week!
Choose the Westminster route by crossing Vauxhall Bridge, go to Tate Britain, walk along by the River Thames to Westminster to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and walk up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square.
Or stay on the Southbank, visiting the Florence Nightingale Museum (at St Thomas's Hospital) with the very timely 'The Hospital in the Oatfield - The Art of Nursing in the First World War' exhibition, take in the many free summertime activities going on at The Southbank Centre (including Urban Weekend from 25th - 27th July), have lunch in one of the many family-friendly restaurants, watch the street entertainers, visit the BFI for film fun and free retro TV/film watching in their archive room, admire The Globe Theatre, visit The Clink Museum for ghoulish goings-on, Tate Modern and then salivate at all the foodie treats available at Borough Market, making sure you take home something delectable for dinner (or even to eat on the bus journey home!).
Children of all ages can be involved in planning the trip out, it gives them some idea of the geography of London and their involvement will ensure that they're willing participants - well that's the theory anyway!
Hope this is helpful! Happy holidays!
Please do also add your own favourite family bus journey destinations, recommendations and experiences! Looking forward to reading all about your Mumsnetter Merton family bus adventures!