10 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR KIDS HAPPY DURING THE HOLIDAYS

I’m a work-from-home mum, so the school holidays are always approached with a mixture of excitement and dread.

On the one hand it’s soooo nice to not have to rush around shouting: ‘Get your shoes on, fix your hair, brush your teeth, grab your lunch box and LET’S GO!’     

On the other, it’s stressful to keep the girls fed and watered, make sure they’re having fun and fit in a full day’s work.

Up until now I’ve pretty much crossed my fingers and winged it, but this time I’ve got an actual grown-up plan in place for our school holiday activities. This year I am doing some serious adulting; I even have an event calendar and everything!

*smug smile spreads across face* 

The idea is simple: wake up early and get most of my work out the way while the girls are still asleep. Then, I’ve compiled a variety of family friendly school holiday activities that we can enjoy over the weeks.

I’ve tried to pick a range of events that will inspire, educate and entertain them; so here they are my favourite school holiday activities – 10 ways to keep your kids happy during the holidays.

Summer Berry Picking

There’s an amazing place a short drive from us where you can pick fresh summer raspberries, strawberries, gooseberries, blueberries and blackberries. They also have a cafe for coffee, sandwiches and cream teas, and a farm shop that makes me want to buy everything in it. Search ‘Pick Your Own Farm’ and your county to find your nearest location.

Pamper Party

I promised the girls if they stopped biting their nails I’d take them to get professional manicures. So we’ll be heading into London for our very first day of mummy/daughter day of glamour. First stop will be getting our nails done, followed by a fancy lunch: a proper posh day out for me and the girls.

Throw a Movie Party

We loved the movie Zootropolis at the cinema, so were really excited when we were invited to take part in a viewing party to celebrate the dvd’s release. The girls will be allowed to invite a friend each,  I’ll make some popcorn and cook some pizzas, and spread it all out, picnic style, on the living room floor.

Explore your nearest National Trust 

We’re lucky enough to have three stunning NATIONAL TRUST properties within a reasonable driving distance, and they all have phenomenal line ups this summer – from mud pie making and outdoor theatre productions, to Thames river cruises and organised tree climbs. Plus, there’s the brilliant ’50 Things to Do Before You’re 11 3/4′ list to work your way through.

Fly the London Eye

Lil Sis has been begging to go on the LONDON EYE since learning about it at school, so I’l be taking them on a flight. It’s one of those ‘must-do’ London attractions – Big Sis has been on before, but was too young to remember, and I haven’t been on in a few years, so we’re all really looking to it. Early mornings are the best – before it gets too hot and busy with tourists – then we’ll grab lunch somewhere along Southbank.

Visit the West End

The girls love love LOVE Matilda, so I’m planning to get tickets to see the West End show MATILDA THE MUSICAL, which is supposed to be uh-mazing!). This is (by far) one of our most expensive holiday dates – basically because Mummy wasn’t organised enough to take advantage of the Kids Go Free annual summer promotion – but I just know this summer extravagance will be worth every penny.

Down on the Farm

We’re so lucky that the brilliant family farm within driving distance of us. It has pretty much everything a kid (or grown up) could want: cute animals, indoor and outdoor playgrounds, cafes, coffee bars, and loads of different shows and events. I’m planning to take the girls mid-August, when they’ll have a daily Circus Spectacular show.

Hunt for Treasure

Big Sis is going to go crazy for this – basically the TREASURE TRAILS website has over 1000 self-guided treasure hunts (including walking, cycling and driving trails) you just find your nearest one, pay online and print it out, or have a hard copy sent to you. Then you need to follow clues to find your mystery destination.

Retro Outdoor Delights

As a kid we were always riding our bikes and rollerskating down the driveway and playing badminton in the back garden (or repeatedly throwing a tennis ball against the back wall until Mum begged us to stop). These simple pleasures have become a bit lost in this increasingly digital world, so I love it when the girls discover them and love them as much as I did. Bubble blowing is another – proof you don’t have to spend loads of money to have a great day.

Pond Dipping

Big Sis joined Forest School this past term and still raves about the magical day they caught a newt (shudders slightly). So I was really excited to find there was a local woman running a range nature workshops all through the summer holidays – everything from bug walks, to bat hunts, to den building. I’ve booked them both into a pond dipping day – at just £5 per child it’s brilliant value and jam-packed full of educational fun.

What plans do you have for the holidays? 

READ: Fun Scooter Tricks for Kids