collaborative post
We’re fast approaching most children’s favourite time of the year - the school summer break. This is where most schools break up, giving children weeks off to enjoy themselves, rest and relax while teachers prepare for the next school year.
Of course, this is a great time to be looked forward to, but it also takes a lot of planning too. Not only in terms of childcare and ensuring you can still get to work if you need to, but also in terms of making sure that your kids are occupied, happy and having a good time while they’re outside of the classroom. Here are some suggestions that can help you to plan each day to ensure it’s filled with fun and good memories for your kids!
Childcare
Let’s start with the first big thing you need to arrange - childcare. If your main role in life is looking after your children and you have other sources of income, such as a partner working, savings or inheritance, that means you can stay home to look after your children permanently, this isn’t going to be as much of a worry.
However, if you still have to get to work and suddenly have your kids on your hands 24/7, you are going to need to arrange for someone to look after them while you’re working your usual work hours. There are many options when it comes to good childcare for your children. The first is friends and family. If you have a network of people around you who are willing, able and responsible enough to look after your children, you may be able to come up with some sort of schedule that ensures someone can always have them while you’re working.
An alternative is paid childcare services. This means options such as babysitters, kids clubs and more. Browse different options in your area to determine which facilities will best suit your little ones and their individual needs, as well as your budget. Before settling, make sure that any option you choose is qualified and that staff have had background checks determining that they can work with children.
Holidays
The summer break tends to be the peak time for family holidays. This is when you can enjoy a break away without worrying about taking your children out of school and them falling behind on their curriculum, or you receiving fines for doing so.
Of course, this also tends to mean that prices hike during this time, so you may need to save in advance or find good options and deals that fit within your budget. A holiday can be a great way to occupy your children for a week or two and to build some strong and lasting memories together as a family. It’s one of the few times you can all completely disconnect from day to day life - whether that’s school or work - and spend quality time having fun and being completely carefree together.
There are many different types of breaks out there. Find one that suits your needs in terms of budget, whether you have passports or not, how far and what modes of travel you’re willing and comfortable to take and more.
Activities
The vast majority of your children’s summer break will be taken up with activities. You’re going to need to make sure that your child has something to do each day that will keep them happy and occupied until they head back to school.
Along with activities remember to take time to chill out and relax. Having a nice outdoor space for you and the kids to enjoy will enhance your summer holidays. Beautiful patio furniture and hammocks make the outdoor space even more chill and enjoyable. You can find some amazing hammocks online.
This can be a good combination of fun and games at home with days out and about. The world really is your oyster when it comes to activities with your kids and the only limits you will face are budget, time and your imagination. Some examples below should provide some inspiration:
Picnics - head out to your local park for a picnic together. This can be fun and a full day activity, as you prepare the food together, pack up, get to your chosen picnic location and enjoy the day.
Outdoor play - if you have a garden or yard, outdoor play offers endless opportunities for fun. Exploring plants and wildlife, water fights, paddling pools, reading, toys and more are fun in the sun. Just remember sunscreen.
Amusement parks - got an amusement park in your local area? This is good for a special weekend day out or even birthday celebrations if any of your children have their birthdays during this time.
Museums - head to local or nearby museums for a fun day out of exploring new topics, history, culture and more. See if any of the museums nearby have child-friendly exhibits, which encourage more hands-on learning.
Relaxation days - if the weather turns bad, you can have a fun day in the house. This could be relaxing, involving films, TV shows, colouring-in, arts and crafts projects, story time and more.
Get your planning off to a good start and get started sooner rather than later! Your plans will come together quickly!
