The activity jar approach
Write 30 activity ideas on slips of paper, fold and put in a jar. When a child says they are bored, they pull one out. Knowing they cannot choose but might get something good reduces the nagging. Use our free summer holiday planner to seed the jar.
Days out: value for money
National Trust properties, local beaches, forest parks, swimming lidos, free museums, nature reserves and canal walks all cost little or nothing. Book anything that might fill up (trampoline parks, waterparks, escape rooms) in week one of the holidays when dates are clear.
At-home structure
A loose daily routine prevents the holiday from collapsing into screen time: morning activity, lunch, afternoon freedom, a walk or outdoor time before dinner. Structure does not mean schedule — it means shape. A short reading session and our free reward chart incentivise the basics.
Our picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top pick | Kids activity book set | Rainy day activities | Check price → |
| Outdoor | Garden games mega set | Garden play | Check price → |
| Craft | Kids craft kit set | Creative afternoon | Check price → |
| Swimming | Swim goggles and swim bag set | Swimming days out | Check price → |
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