Are you feeling the strain of the looming summer holidays and the worry of keeping the children entertained for a whole six weeks? Many other parents are feeling the same way. This is a handy guide to give you some ideas of how to keep the kids happy and out of trouble all summer long. Summer activities do not have to cost the earth and there are even free things to do.  If you have school-aged children there are usually holiday clubs that they can take part in, either provided by the school or by an outside company. This might be a nice idea as your child can play with others and give you a nice break at the same time. 

During the summer a lot of cinemas release children-friendly films and ticket prices aren’t too expensive. Promotional codes can also be used at cinemas in the UK such as meerkat movies where you can buy one cinema ticket and get another completely free. Cinemas also do family bundles, for 1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children. Taking children to the cinema is great as it can occasionally be the only time they actually sit still for 90 minutes! Cinemas are very inclusive as well these days and offer Autism-friendly screenings so nobody has to miss out on the fun. Or maybe when the kids are away at a friend's house or with the grandparents the adults can play and enjoy movies just for themselves. Head to the cinema and see what iconic pickup lines from movies writers are going to come up with next. You're sure to have a great time, You could even book a double viewing, one for him and one for her. 

One of the free activities for families is a trip to the local park, this is a great way for everyone to get a little exercise and some fresh air. Everyone enjoys the park, from great views across the greenery to the playground for the younger ones. You can even make a day of it and take a picnic basket with some lovely summer treats such as strawberries. You can also take some games and have a play around after your picnic. Good old fashioned family games include Snakes and Ladders or Twister. 

Here’s one for the adrenaline junkies, although theme parks these days have something for everyone. Family theme parks will have areas and rides for young children all the way up to the thrill-seekers with the big looped roller coasters. They are scattered all over the UK so no matter where you are located there should be one relatively close by. That also means a road trip, but have no fear of the usual ‘are we there yet’ coming from the back seat as there are loads of games to keep the kids entertained on the journey. You can make the children little activity packs or you can play ‘who can spot the most yellow cars’. Be aware that theme parks can and will get rather busy during the summer holidays and with Covid-19 restrictions coming to an end there will no longer be reduced numbers. If you are capable of queuing then be prepared to queue for a long while, but the whole ride experience is worth it in the end. The good thing about theme parks is they have on-site restaurants and cafes so there is no need to be lugging your lunch around all day. There are also picnic benches located throughout all theme parks so if you wanted to bring your own food you could.  If you have a child with additional needs then it may be worth looking into the ride access pass. This is a great way to avoid the queues and get straight on at the ride exit. Most theme parks now require proof from a doctor or GP stating why the person can not queue so have this ready when you visit guest services to avoid disappointment. 

Museums are a great way to get the kids out of the house and continue learning about different subjects even when they are not at school. London is great for museums, you could make a day trip out of it. You can visit The Science Museum for the little Einsteins, The Natural History Museum for the Dinosaur fans and even The Transport Museum where you will learn about all forms of transport dating back 200 years.