Keeping the kids entertained this summer

Last updated on October 27th, 2022 at 12:04 pm

With the summer holidays in full swing, parents might find themselves scratching their heads for how to keep the kids entertained over the six-week break, especially with the unpredictable UK weather! We’ve done some research using TikTok and Google to find the latest trends and the ultimate boredom-busting ideas for family fun over the summer hols.

From toddlers to school kids, you’ll find the best summer activities below.

The golden coin game

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All you need for this game is a round coin, a table and a fork – an odd combination that results in plenty of fun. Stand at the end of the table and roll the coin, aiming for it to slot between one of the tongs on the fork. Sounds easy enough, right? It’s much trickier than you think and is guaranteed to keep kids of all ages entertained.

Nature Scavenger Hunt

The perfect activity when going on a walk in the woods with the family, but it can also be just as much fun in the garden! All you need is a sheet of paper and a pencil to keep a tally of which bugs have been found. We recommend printing off a worksheet with different wildlife for this activity, but you can easily draw them yourself if you’re feeling more creative.

A very fun and exciting activity that is guaranteed to keep the kids moving.

If you’re looking to do more family walks, we have a huge range of trainers, walking boots and wellies perfect for kids.

 

Water balloon spoon relay

A competitive activity to have some outdoor fun. Perfect for events or large groups, but it can also be enjoyed with just the two of you. All that’s needed is some water balloons and spoons for this backyard family fun to begin.

The aim of the game is to reach the finish line without popping the water balloon. A pair of steady hands and comfy waterproof shoes will come in handy for this activity!

Shop our kids Crocs range here.

 

Interactive number recognition

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Educational, interactive and entertaining, the number recognition game is easy to put together. Simply use a permanent marker pen to write the numbers one to ten on small stones before writing the same numbers on a large clear, sealable plastic bag. Leave both to dry for a few minutes.

Next, fill the bag with clear hair gel and pop the stones inside. The aim of the game is for your child to guide each stone to the correct matching number on the bag through the plastic bag.

 

No clean-up finger painting

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Finger painting has always been a firm favourite among toddlers, but the mess can be off-putting for parents. Place dots of coloured paint on the paper before slotting the page into a sealable, clear bag. Your child will be able to finger paint through the bag and push the paint around, resulting in adorable pictures with no clean-up required!

Wiggle worms

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A creative and cute task, wiggle worms appear to come to life in front of your child’s eyes.

Start by cutting up paper towels into squares, getting your little one to colour each square in on one side before rolling them around a small, thin stick. Scrunch up the paper towel around the stick before pulling free and drawing a little face on each ‘worm’. Pop them on a plate and get your child to drop on a small amount of water to watch these worms wiggle!

Sensory play

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Sensory activities are known to have plenty of benefits for young children, from developing motor skills to reducing symptoms of anxiety in some children. For this popular activity, simply fill a clear, sealable bag with glitter, water and silicon water beads. Wait for the beads to expand before attaching the bag to a flat surface – watch as your little one is enchanted by the sound, feel and movement of the water beads.

 

Shave the sheep

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This one may be a little bit messy, but it’s easy to clear up and is guaranteed to keep your kids entertained. Draw a sheep onto a large piece of cardboard, cutting out the shape and covering it in tape to make it reusable. On another piece of cardboard, draw some hair clippers, cut out and cover in tape too. Next, cover the woolly part of the sheep with plenty of shaving foam and ask your child to shave the sheep with the cardboard clippers.

Pop a dish beside them so they can put the shaving foam ‘wool’ inside – this should help with clean-up!

Toddler-friendly chores

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Encourage independence and earn a helping hand by getting your little one involved with chores. While it’s doubtful that they’ll be able to hoover the house or wash the dishes, toddlers can help with loading the washing machine, feeding pets and putting away toys by making these boresome tasks a little more fun.

Not only will acting as your helper keep them entertained, but you’ll get a little assistance with your to-do list too.

Homemade chalk paint

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Turn your driveway into a canvas with easy-clean homemade chalk paint. Separate different coloured chalk before placing it into plastic baggies and breaking up until the chalk has turned into powder. Pour the powder into cups of water, ensuring each colour is poured into a separate glass rather than mixing them together. Swirl around with a spoon and voila – you now have paint that washes away with the rain.

 

Spaghetti bath

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Another fun way of incorporating sensory play into your child’s summer activities, spaghetti baths entertain kids while keeping them cool during those balmy sunny weekends. This can get a little messy but is plenty of fun if you don’t mind a little clean-up.

Cook some spaghetti with a little blue food colouring – this aqua-tinged pasta mix will double-up as your ocean. Add cooked spaghetti to a filled bath, drop in some plastic toys, such as sharks, fish or ducks and let your little one’s imagination run wild.

 

Cute ice-lolly puzzles

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Not only is putting this puzzle together lots of fun, but making it is too! Start by laying down ice-lolly sticks side by side, putting a strip of sticky tape at both the top and bottom to hold them in place.

Next, paint your child’s foot in their favourite colour and hold it against the sticks before drawing on some cute bunny ears and a face. Remove the tape, jumble up the sticks and you have a cute, easy puzzle. You can make it simpler by numbering each stick, too.

 

Build a fort

We all know how fun building a fort in the house can be, but making one outside takes it to a whole new level.

Make sure to take advantage of trees, fences, and any outside furniture. The bigger the better!

 

Make a pond

A DIY pond for the garden will not only be great for local wildlife, but it will entertain and teach your kids about nature.

All you need is an old washing up bowl or waterproof container. The hardest part of the activity involves digging a hole deep enough for the bowl or container to fit within the ground.

Fill it with stones, some pond plants, and allow rainwater to fill it up, if it looks like there’s no rain in site then you can also just fill your pain with tap water.

Find the perfect pair of wellies to make a splash in here.

 

Star experiment

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This homemade experiment is tons of fun yet quick and easy to set up. Start by bending five wooden toothpicks and arrange them on the plate as shown in the video above.

Next, get your little one to drop some water directly onto the toothpicks and watch as they form the shape of a star.

 

Ice paintings

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Help your child stay cool and entertained during the hot summer months by setting up some ice painting. Start by freezing a block of water – you can use an old ice cream tub or plastic lunch box to do so. Let your child’s imagination go wild as they use watercolours to paint whatever they want on the block and create their own frozen masterpieces. This is another method of sensory play that teaches them about how ice reacts with heat, making it both fun and educational.

For more freezing fun, take a look at our Disney Frozen II range here.

 

Feed the bunny

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Undeniably adorable, feed the bunny is an interactive game that can be made using household items. Draw a bunny onto one of the largest sides of a cardboard box, cutting out the tummy and mouth sections. Then, tape an open, clear plastic bag over the mouth and tummy area, making sure to cut out the area that will fit over the mouth.

Finally, make some carrots using pipe cleaners and set up the box so the bunny side is facing towards you, as shown in the video. Toddlers and little kids will have lots of fun feeding their new friend!

 

Teeth flossing game

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Turn flossing into a fun, educational game. Start by drawing a hippo on a piece of cardboard before making a mouth with two pieces of coloured card. Stick the bottom piece of the card onto the cardboard before gluing marshmallows onto the mouth. Twist some pieces of coloured tissues, pop some between the marshmallow teeth and get your child to floss them out with a piece of string. Not only is this game cute and easy to make, but it teaches them about the benefits of flossing.

 

With these great games and action-packed activities, it’s bound to be a summer of fun this year!