Share your secret to having a bit of me time during the school holidays. £200 Voucher and London Zoo tickets to be won.

[EllieSmumsnet]

Do you struggle finding time for yourself during the school holidays? The summer holidays can bring lots of excitement and some much needed family time. However, we understand that it can be hard to find time for yourself. We would love to know how you manage to gain those precious moments of peace amidst the whirlwind of the school holidays.

• Share your tips and tricks on how you gain a moment's peace in the summer holidays.
• One lucky MNer will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice and a family day ticket for 2 x adults and 2 x children for London Zoo.

Here is what Whaoo! has to say:

“School is out for Summer. Parents, brace yourselves for the whirlwind of excitement that comes with summer holidays.

The little ones burst through the door, full of energy and endless demands, Whaoo! have got just the trick to keep everyone smiling. Whaoo! Chocolate filled Crêpes are the ultimate summer treat, guaranteed to bring moments of peace amidst the summer mayhem. So, gather round, savour the sweetness, and let the chaos unfold with a side of scrumptiousness!

Let’s put the fun back into snacking!”

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

We've been learning to create word searches etc, I promise that if they make one and concentrate hard I'll do their word searches, my kids get so proud at what they've created!

Painting the fence with water ! Its such fun - bucket of water and large brush - and watching them paint away ! Sounds like punishment I know - but mine love it

We ride on the bus ! Get a day ticket - sit upstairs at the front of the bus - and have a panoramic view of our 1 1/2 hour journey to the next town - they love pretending to drive, pointing things out, and we have a break to stretch our legs, have break in McDonalds - and do the reverse journey back home - it's when I can listen to the radio and relax

@lovemyflipflops thats such a good idea.

Go out with the pram & listen to a podcast. Baby sleeps and I escape:)

A large cardboard box and some felt tips - and let them 'create' their home/ship/car ....

Go to IKEA, drop them off in the crèche and either go for a wander or have a coffee in peace and quiet.

We used to bake, they liked that, but its a 'together' thing, but you do get a half hours peace afterwards with a brew, while they enjoy the buns they've helped make.

Ours are all scouts/explorers. We've just packed all 4 of them off for 5 nights of summer camp in the Peak District.

We holiday at a cheaper time of year so this gives them a summer holiday adventure with their scouting friends and access to opportunities we would never be able to do with them.

It also gives dh and i time to attend to our self care without disruption of dealing with 2/4 kids having send needs.

We fully expect to collect 1 or 2 earlier than the end of the camp, but even 1 or 2 nights as just a couple gives us a little respite to be a better couple, better parents the rest of the time.

I am a granny when I have the grandkids I stock up on craft books!

Drop them off at grandparents for the whole day while having booked at a spa for the whole day bliss

Check IF your local Council or church are running day clubs for children and drop them off there. Mine are not this year, but have in past years, it's been a well organised fun day.

A huge packing box - or from your supermarket and put them inside with a box of crayons and let them create their magical world whilst you catch up on Corrie

A wigwam tent, and a a packet of biscuits and your tablet with Frozen on ! Works every time for me (I use the pink wafer biscuits - not too filling and easy to vac up the crumbs afterwards

I go upstairs under the premise of tidying the drawers and sorting the airing cupboard, leaving dc downstairs with their Dad whilst I lay on the bed and daydream.
Nobody comes upstairs to disturb me in fear of being given a job to do.

We've had a rotten summer weather wise - mine would be outdoors in the paddling pool/trampoline/with ride on toys - I have found getting the HUGE box of brio out - and let them build the LONGEST train track across the living room and hallway seems lt last all day - so I would suggest that (I picked a box full of track from a car boot and a few trains on-line)

I watch prime on my phone when I'm cooking and cleaning.

We 'play' tidying games during the day so there is minimal housework to do once the little ones go to bed.

We also play games like sleeping Lion's and who can pretend to sleep for the longest - it gives me a few minute peace.

library and then reading time.
build a den then let them enjoy
sticking the television on is not a sin. and they love comeing down with duvets or blankets for morning tv. which can take the pressure off a bit.
big roll of lining paper and google appropriate pictures,copy then let them colour.and let them have free reign.
lego or jigsaws
make up stories,design a book or newspaper report.
you dont have to have something to do ALL the time. let them feel a bit bored,even moan. then let their minds find them something to do. more often than not they will do. or will wander off and dawdle something quiet.(not every time and not all kids we know!)
pick something to cook for tea. let them create a menu board. and menus.
dont put pressure on yourself to do do do if you have a moment of free time. if your on top of things in general then take those few minutes to just sit if you need to.
give older ones a day they are in charge of food.
put music on loud for them to dance or lie down and sing,listen to.
collect rocks to paint
be gentle with yourself. things are costing alot. they dont need it all.
if you have the help,ask for it.

Used to meet up with a friend with same age children at a playground. We either had lunch out - if it was a pub playground - or took a picnic to the local park. The children played better with another the same age rather than just with their sibling and we had a relaxing time. Not exactly 'me time' but relaxing.

Definitely teaming up with my friends with children, so a playdate feels like fun for me too.

Definitely rotate toys and get ‘new’ things out each week, alongside having plenty of friends over to play!

Learning to deeply appreciate the 10 second pockets of peace scattered throughout the day. You could call it mindfulness but it’s really too close to the edges of wild eyed insanity to be a health practice.

Also staying awake for hours and hours after they finally go to sleep trying to satiate that desperate craving for solitude, only to crawl bleary eyed from your bed in the morning to face another jolly day of summer holiday.

Put your AirPods in to coincide with CBeebies - and listen to an audio book or soothing music.

I find getting the Wii and Mario Karts gives endless hours of fun on rainy days, whilst I can get on with dinner and the housework and more importantly some 'me time'

Set up a pet (cuddly toy) training school. Kiddo writes out the stages and then trains the ‘pet’. Takes ages and all I have to do is present the awards at the end