June 18, 2019
10 Affordable things to do this summer
Do you have any exciting plans this summer? If not, don’t worry as we’ve put together 10 affordable things for you and your family to do this summer. Including some activities that are a little different compared to the famous trips to the beach and the cinema.
1 - Make ice lollies
Who doesn’t love an ice lolly in the garden on a hot summer’s day? You can make your own ice lollies using your favourite fruit juices and yoghurts; just add small slices of fresh fruit for a colourful twist!
You can buy ice lolly moulds or even use small plastic cups or yogurt pots as alternatives, check out the 5 best ice lollies for kids for some inspiration >
2 - Learn origami
The art of folding paper is a great way to learn a new skill and have fun this summer. From jumping frogs to monster book marks, the list is endless! All you’ll need is some colourful paper and maybe a few googly eyes, and let the magic begin.
For some kid friendly guides click here >
3 - Make a bird feeder
Want to make some new friends in the area? Invite the birds round for tea with some easy to make bird feeders. Not only is this fun to make with your youngsters, but it’s also exciting to see what types of birds live near you.
4 - Spa day
Having a spa day at home can be the perfect way to relax, or even a good way to get them to pamper you for the day. Paint your nails and make homemade face masks with tea and scones for the ideal spa day from home.
Check out some home-made face mask recipes here >
If your youngsters aren’t into facials, you could try baking your own scones as the perfect afternoon treat especially if you’ve got some jam and cream in the fridge, try this recipe out >
5 - Explore your local town
Get out and about! What better season than summer to explore the hidden treasures in your town. You could go to your local park to feed the ducks (make sure to not feed them bread, try corn, duck pellets, lettuce or oats); or find a nearby farm where you can pick some fruits to enjoy, fun for all of the family!
Children aged 7-14 can take part in one-hour open water 'Swim Safe' session that take place in 36 open water locations in the UK throughout the summer, check this out to see if there is one near you – Swim Safe >
Your local Pets at Home may offer their ‘meet the pets’ sessions where your youngsters can meet the small friendly furries or even the fantastic fish, find out more here >
6 - Make a herb garden
Kids learn best through every day experiences, try making your own herb garden to help teach them the art of gardening, then over the summer watch your herbs grow! They may even make you a ‘Spag Bol’ with some fresh basil if you’re lucky!
An indoor herb garden works best with mint, chives, parsley and basil. Just sow the seeds in small yogurt pots (decorated by the little ones) and cover with a clear bag until they germinate, then your herbs are ready to sit in the light, don’t forget to water them!
Click here for more information on making a herb garden >
7 - Make a time capsule
Making a time capsule with the whole family is good at getting your children thinking about the future.
Here are some ideas of what you and your children can add to your time capsule -
- Today’s newspaper
- A little popular toy
- Pictures of the family
- A message to future you – you can include what your child wants to be when their older, or what their favourite things are.
- A list of prices of things like petrol, milk, sweets
- Any questions you may have for your future self, like can cars fly yet?
8 - Learn a language
Learning a second language can be a lot of fun for all the family! If you all work together to learn new words and phrases you could be speaking Spanish by the end of the summer holidays.
Learning a second language is beneficial at an earlier age as it helps improve problem solving, creativity, and aids in connecting with other cultures. Check out Duolingo and Busuu for some free lessons.
9 - Stargaze in your back garden, outdoor movie night
Is there anything better than chilling out on a warm summer’s night after a day filled with activities? Stargazing in the back garden and reading some books or watching a movie is the perfect way to end the day. You could even put up a tent and spend the night under the stars or toast some marshmallows.
10 - Make a summer scrap book
Scrap books are a great way to put all of your memories in one place. Take pictures of everything you’ve done over the summer, grab some stickers and colourful pens for an enjoyable crafts day and a wonderful way to build memories.
- Helping you keep the family entertained