20 Ideas For Summer Fun
We've got just over a week until I go back to school. Normally I treasure this last week with him, while desperately trying to deny that I'm looking forward to some regular adult contact that isn't my mum or husband. However this year, I'm hoping that the time really drags as a day after I return to work (for an INSET day), The Boy will start school for the first time. And I must confess that while it is a fun and exciting prospect for him, I see the next fourteen years zooming along through primary and secondary schools towards adulthood.
I may be overthinking it somewhat.
That's why I am desperately trying to fill our last week with as many activities as possible; to make memories together and enjoy every second. I've still got a bank of activities that we can crack on with including cooking and craft, however after four weeks, even my 'toolkit' of ideas is beginning to feel a little empty!
Next weekend though is a special treat weekend for The Boy as he hasn't stopped asking to go to Peppa Pig World since around Easter time, and so I have planned for us to have a trip down to Southampton to visit the special pink porcine and her family. It's a fair old trek down to Southampton from Cardiff and so I'll be making sure I've packed a variety of activities for The Boy; it's far too easy to put on the DVD player to keep him amused for an hour and half. I do have a feeling though that as I will be spending around eight hours listening to Peppa and her family snort while queuing to ride on George's Dinosaur, I need a back-up plan so I'm not subject to endless renditions of the music on the way down. I've found in the past that packing a rucksack with activities for amusement, can be a great tip to make travel easier for children and parents.
Until that trip though, we're going to fill our days with painting, craft, cooking, play and visits to the park and beach. If anyone else is struggling for ideas on how to keep their little ones amused until the beginning of term, here are some great activities to help create a fun-filled last week of the Summer holidays!
Beach Craft: How To Make A Shell Shaker
We spend a lot of time on the beach at all times of the year, but especially during the warmer months of the year. And just like all children, The Boy likes to collect shells.
Lots of shells.
And it comes to a point when we have to start finding things to do with them.
So this weekend, we collected up shells with holes in them and we made a musical instrument with them!
How To Make A Shell Shaker
You'll need:
- a 'Y' shaped stick
- a variety of shells with holes in them (do try and collect different types so that you can discuss the names of them)
- string
- something to cut with
- Tie one end of the string to one of the 'Y' twigs. Wrap it around several times to make it stronger and also to hide the end of the string. Make a simple knot to fix it into place.
- Thread the shells onto the string, alternating the different types and the way that they are facing.
- Pull the string taut and wrap it around the other end of the 'Y', making a small knot to hold it in place. Wrap it around several times, tying it off tightly.
- Shake, shake, shake!
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Summer Of Sport
With two major sporting events completed this Summer already, and the big one about to start next week (but I'm not risking mentioning its trademarked name!), it is indeed a Summer of Sport. Which makes it even more of a shame that it keeps widdling it down incessantly!
A break in the weather earlier today saw the start of our Summer activities (I'm determined not to waste our precious six weeks) with a mini sporting event conducted between one very cheeky three year old and one daddy.
There's a whole range of fruit and veg races that you could do to make your own sporting event more exciting: runner bean relay, potato sack races, 'pears' three legged race, tomato tossing (beanbag drop).
What fruity races could you come up with for your little ones to take part in?
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