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MNHQ

Tell npower your top tips and ideas for enjoying the summer school holidays - you could win a £300 Love2Shop voucher NOW CLOSED

232 replies

AngelieMumsnet · 28/07/2015 16:36

The team at npower would love to hear about your top tips and ideas for enjoying the summer holidays.

npower say "We know that the summer holidays can often be stressful and finding activities to keep your children busy can be a challenge so we’d love to hear your hints and tips for a fun-filled stress-free summer. We can’t wait to hear your great creative ideas for getting through those 6 weeks come rain or shine."

With 6 weeks or more off in the summer, finding ways to keep your DCs entertained can sometimes be a challenge. So, what are your top tips for planning summer holiday activities? Do you like to do some research and advanced planning? Or do you prefer to be spontaneous? Does the weather affect your plans at all? What top tips do you have for having fun whatever the weather?

Please note, your comments may be used - anonymously of course - by npower on their social media channels, website and possibly elsewhere, Please only post if you're happy with this.

Everyone who posts on the thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £300 Love2Shop voucher!

Standard Insight T&Cs apply.

Thanks and good luck

MNHQ

OP posts:
hermancakedestroyer · 04/08/2015 12:47

I try to collect vouchers, coupons and money off vouchers from local papers and the local radio.
Also entering competitions and product tests from mumsnet can sometimes offer a good day out. Reviews from mumsnetters are often useful to read with some good advice tips if they have been there before.
We always take a flask of tea or coffee with us and sometimes some quorn hotdogs in a flask of boiling water to eat when we are out and about especially if the weather isn't great....

hermancakedestroyer · 04/08/2015 12:53

That sounds good campocaro - keeps the teenager engaged and helps with life skills. Going to try that with my nearly teen!

Kathderoet · 04/08/2015 14:53

There are always lots of free activities on during the Summer, for the days we are at home I get them involved in cooking, baking, tidying which is still a novelty!
We also collect shells and pebbles on beach days and let them decorate them at home on rainy days.

CordeliaScott · 04/08/2015 18:12

I am the opposite of my SH and I cannot do spontaneous. Everything is planned to the nth degree.

My DD is only 10 months old and her favorite activities involve water so paddling pools, swimming baths etc. The local baths here have a passport to leisure scheme where they are free at certain times of the day.

Ultimately, I try not to arrange too much as she gets tired still and I'm trying to learn to be flexible to work on her schedule more.

I used to work at a library and there was always a lot of fun activities for children there once they are a little older

serin · 04/08/2015 22:37

Ours are all teens now, they largely occupy themselves and are looking forward to the 2 week cadet camp coming up (£60 all inclusive), however we do encourage them to complete some sort of project......last year they dug out a pond....this year DS1 is making a rowing boat out of wood and DS2 is making a tapestry cushion!

MovingStress · 04/08/2015 23:07

I like to have a list (although this time haven't been organised enough, but sort of have it in my head!) of activities - including free / treat type one offs etc - to choose from depending on what else is going on / moods / weather etc. Keep an eye on local facebook groups etc / children centre websites for things that are going ok. we are lucky, there always seem to be free or cheap events going on in town.

tooneedyme · 05/08/2015 13:12

Be prepared and ignore the weather forecast is getting us out an about. Bad weather has meant bringing the sand and water table indoors and doing lots of baking. We go to every organised fun day we hear of.

OhHolyFuck · 05/08/2015 21:51

Geocaching - if you already have a smartphone and download the free app, take a picnic if you're out all day and tell the kids you're going 'treasure hunting' - fun day out for free!

OhHolyFuck · 05/08/2015 21:51

Geocaching - if you already have a smartphone and download the free app, take a picnic if you're out all day and tell the kids you're going 'treasure hunting' - fun day out for free!

purplepandas · 06/08/2015 12:09

I like to plan some events. It helps to keep me sane. I make good use of free events locally too. I am keen to try geocaching. We do crafty bits and make dens. Visit friends with other children! The library is a God send too.

mrshuggybear · 07/08/2015 14:03

There are so many free or cheap events going on locally during school holidays-get all the local magazines and newspapers together. Add all the events onto the calendar and it will soon be pretty full.
Another thing I have done is put toys they haven't played with for ages away and then got them back down during the holidays. They act like the toys are new and play for ages. A big hunt or nature walk is always great.

GloGirl · 07/08/2015 14:57

There are so many lovely ideas on Pinterest for what fun you can create and make at home.

Elmersnewfriend · 07/08/2015 15:00

We love geocaching. Once you've paid for the app it is free, and is a great way to get the children walking without complaining (too much!)

ThomasRichard · 07/08/2015 15:02

I like to plan at least one activity a week but I've learned not to over-schedule myself. It's nice to just have some time with the kids without worrying about being on time for other people.

annandale · 07/08/2015 17:09

Some great ideas here. Love the life skills projects.
We've found swimming in the river a godsend, ds has been swimming most days with friends and all free! When they're older it's easy to forget things like squash or juice lollies in the freezer but in my experience they still go down well.

MegBusset · 07/08/2015 17:28

I work 2/3 days a week so that helps break the week up as they go to a holiday club or are looked after by DH/grandparents/kind friends. I used to find it harder when we were together every day of the week, now I really enjoy planning the days we do have together!

I make sure we get out every day, usually making a packed lunch the night before so we can get up and go. So far we have met friends at the beach/park/bowling alley, been to the library a couple of times, visited a horse sanctuary and been to the zoo :) I try to pick mostly cheap or free places, we have National Trust membership so that's always an option.

Then when we get home (usually mid afternoon) the kids kick back with their computer games and I enjoy the peace and quiet!

I love the summer holidays :)

StregaNona · 07/08/2015 20:39

Every day needs a combination of:

  • fresh air
  • books
  • board games
  • exercise

It may come in different guises and at different times, but if each day has all those elements then things seem to work.

throwingpebbles · 08/08/2015 08:27

I like to have at least one planned activity every week,and one play date organised in advance. Then the rest of the days we can be more spontaneous

Lots of the local country parks round here run very reasonably priced events like Forest school sessions etc

glenka · 08/08/2015 17:00

Usually wait and decide on the day what we are going to do.

maryandbuzz1 · 08/08/2015 17:06

We do loads of activities outside and in. These include writing or pattern making with a squeezy bottle and water on the wall or path of the house, collecting natural objects to make animals or aliens or pictures, making mud pies, splashing in puddles if it's rainy, colouring a rainbow and then going outside to find natural things which match it, ride bikes make roadways and tracks with cars in the soil.....
Inside we make saltdough and mould it into different objects, play with a cornflour mix, bake, dress up and make videos... Build camps with the furniture. I love it!

carole1002 · 08/08/2015 17:06

We are exploring green spaces for summer picnics, cycling to make the most of the light summer evenings and going on nature walks complete with sketch pads and cameras.

Rainy days are more of a problem, but I've invested in new wellies and raincoats for everyone!

samcornfield · 08/08/2015 17:16

We have a membership of the National Trust which only costs a few pounds per month. This allows us access to lots of entertainment over the holiday and if you take a picnic all you need to pay for is transport

createbeauty · 08/08/2015 17:22

Pretend it's your own summer holiday as well and just enjoy spending time doing random things with the kids.

chrin · 08/08/2015 17:27

keeping the kids busy can be a nightmare and with the UK weather being so unpredictable we always find we decide what to do on the day once we see what the day will bring.

We go on picnics, long walks around a local national park, cinema, skateboard park etc.

Some days we'll stay home and do arty crafty stuff or the boys will have friends in to play on Xbox while the girls play on the ps4.

Sometimes the boys will be off playing football while us girls do girly things like new hair styles and nails

The time can go amazingly quickly

ClaudetteWyms · 08/08/2015 17:37

I make lists of things to do at home, short trips put, and longer days out. Also organise play dates and trips to see/host friends and relatives. Whenever we get a day with no plans we go through the lists and tick the things off as we do them.

I include "nothing" days on the list where dc can choose to do whatever they want (usually watching tv, naked...), I don't schedule every moment of their time!