Kids Stuff || 25 Screen Free Ideas For Kids This Summer

With a whopping six weeks to fill with our glorious children, it's a good idea to get a heads up on ideas you can do to keep them busy and fill the time. As daunting as the six weeks holidays can feel, these summers really are precious and perfect for making memories.

Of course there will be times when relaxing movie days or tablet time is an absolute must, but for other times I thought I'd share 25 free or cheap ideas to fill our summer.

1. Write a list of things they'd like to do in summer
   
   First off, get the kids to write a list (or help write it if their tiddly) of all the things they want to do. You may be surprised by what they say, they may be worn out from school and want some quiet days, visits to family or have some crafts in mind.
   
   
2. Home camping
   
   Be it a tent in the garden or inside, or maybe even just a makeshift shelter made from sheets indoors; Camping at home can be so much fun, with lots of giggles, scary stories and maybe even some marshmallows on the BBQ, this is a great way to create some excitement for the little ones without forking out lots of money on a holiday or trip out.
   
   
3. Drawing & colouring
   
   This is a more obvious choice, but instead of the usual drawing, think back to drawing games we used to play, like folding down the paper to take it in turns to draw bits of people or making a squiggle into a real picture. Drawing things from days out, self portraits or taking your sketch books with you can make for some nice peaceful creative time together.
   
   
4. Get crafting
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Hit up Pinterest or some crafty blogs for some new ideas and get stocked up. Crafting is a great way to keep busy and even better when you can make it seasonal or fitting to activities you've been doing. Here's a few of our crafts you may like to try;
   
   
   Pom Pom chicks
   Making bowls from vinyls
   Leaf printing
   Monster rocks
   Pebble pets
   Cake case flowers
   Holiday ideas jar
   Paper lanterns
   
   
5. Summer scrapbook/journal
   
   Starting a scrapbook or journal is a lovely way for you and the kids to look back on your summers for years to come. Collect train tickets, take photos, add sketches and anything you find on your travels.
   
   
6. Take photos
   
   If your child has an interest in photography, summer is the perfect time to get learning. With a kids camera or just a cheap digital one, there's no better way to document the days than with a picture. With lots going on, sunny days and a sea of colourful flowers everywhere, get out and capture some beautiful pictures together.
   
   
7. Head to the beach
   
   There's nothing quite like being at the beach, it makes for super fun long days, tired out kids (and grown ups) and memories to last a life time. While you're there, you could make an epic sand castle, dig giant holes, throw skimmer stones and collect shells and fossils too.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
8. Make flower perfume & nests
   
   When I was young I loved mashing flowers to make 'perfume', just make sure they are wild or OK to be picked. I also loved making nests from hay/twigs and decorating with things left by nature. We did this last week on holiday and the kids loved it!
   
   
9. Collect things from nature
   
   Take buckets, bags or baskets and get out collecting feathers, acorns, pine cones, interesting twigs and take them home to paint with, make sculptures or simply display.
   
   
10. Head out for a walk
    
    Find somewhere new to explore, get some comfy shoes on and get walking! Take supplies like drinks, snacks and sun cream and see where you end up.
    
    
11. Be tourists in your town/city
    
    
    
    
    

    
    
    Often we have the perfect tourist hotspots right under our nose but don't venture anywhere near because it's just our boring old town or city. Get online and see where you haven't been and make time to get there over summer. Playing tourists in your home town means you don't have to pay for travel or accommodation and can put those extra pennies to a nice meal or even better, ice creams!
    
    
12. Do rock painting
    
    Collect some pebbles on your travels or buy a cheap bag in stores. Get decorating with paint and decorate your garden or leave out for others to enjoy. There are lots of groups out there on Facebook like 'Love on the rocks' or our local like our '#WilliamRocks' to get involved with or you can simply leave for people to find, you may even find your own!
    
    
    
13. Make a mini garden
    
    
    

    
    
    
    
    Dedicate a flower bed or large pot for your kids to create their own mini garden, growing herbs, easy plants or even just creating a pretty fairy garden making mini furniture and accessories, the possibilities are endless and it can be an ongoing summer project.
    
    
14. Make a comic book
    
    Making your own comic book can be lots of fun, get those little minds going and create something that can be treasured. Perhaps it could be a comic based on a day out or the holidays in general to give simple ideas.
    
    
15. Write a letter to a relative or neighbour
    
    Nobody writes letters any more, yet everyone loves receiving them. Why not help your child write their very own letter to an elderly relative, friend or neighbour to let them know you're thinking of them.
    
    
16. Random acts of kindness
    
    RAOK are becoming more and more common and I love this! There are lots of ideas out there, but you don't have to go all out. Why not write some pretty quotes out to brighten someones day and leave it somewhere to be found, or pick some daisies for someone that will appreciate the gesture.
    
    
17. Explore National Trust places nearby
    
    
    

    
    
    
    
    This is a more costly option but surprisingly cheap. A family ticket costs us £10 a month and means we can visit all the NT places in the UK as many times as we like. This will be a godsend in summer when money is tight but the kids want to keep active and busy.
    
    
18. Play board games
    
    For quieter days you can't beat some down time playing board games. Make sure you have some suitable for all ages or ones that can be easily adapted for younger players. Introduce the kids to some of the old classics and maybe add some small prizes for winners.
    
    
19. Learn a new skill
    
    From riding a bike with no stabilisers, flying a kite or learning a new language, six whole weeks is a lot of time to go pro at something they're interested in.
    
    
20. Learn to cook or bake
    
    Teach your kids how to make a classic favourite like lasagne or a roast, get baking and show them the basics. These life skills will stay with them and be so enjoyable in the process.
    
    
21. Water play in the garden
    
    Fill up some tubs in the garden, add some things to play with like measuring cups, funnels and sponges and let them make a splash in the garden.
    
    
    

    

    
    
    
22. Treasure hunts
    
    Create a treasure hunt at home or in a local park and get the kids moving with some tricky clues or a classic X marks the spot map.
    
    
23. Decorate the path or patio with chalks
    
    Sidewalk chalks come in all colours and can be used for creating art on floors and walls, making hop scotch to play on and easily washed away with water or by the rain afterwards.
    
    
24. Read stories/poems and make some new ones
    
    Writing and reading stories does no end of good for our kids vocabulary, writing skills and imagination. This can be a fun way to end a busy day with a bed time story, or writing their own poems and stories in the day.
    
    
25. Bed time discos
    
    We love a good bed time disco and although the kids bounce around with excitement, it really tires them out and it's a great way to end the day before bath and bed time. There's some great kids party mixes on YouTube and if you close the curtains and pop on some cheap flashy lights, you're good to go!

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