School’s Out: Things to do with the kids this summer

Head to the beach
Going to the beach in the summer is something we all love. We’re fortunate that many of the beaches in Sussex have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status, which means that these beaches are among the best in the world. If you love the feeling of sand between your toes, remember sunglasses to protect your eyes and a hat to protect the top of your head and your face from the sun’s rays. Don’t forget the sun cream, a blanket and towels,and of course, a bucket and spade! You can have competitions to see who can build the best sandcastle. Preparing some sandwiches and snacks in advance will save you a fortune. Pack more drinks than you think you’ll need, as we all drink more in the hot weather. Bring some cash with you for an ice cream or lolly as a nice treat.

Check out gardens and local parks
National Trust gardens in Sussex are ideal places for children to explore and let their imaginations run wild. There are lots of family events planned over the summer holiday period, such as drop-in art and craft workshops, geocaching and outdoor theatre. Sussex is also packed with lots of parks and green spaces ready to be enjoyed by everyone. After a few hours playing on the swings, slides or other rides, enjoy a family picnic and relax in the sunshine.

Sign up to a holiday club
A summer holiday club or playscheme is great for kids and even better for working mums and dads. Children get the opportunity to socialise with similar aged local children, who they may or may not know from school. There’s usually a wide range of activities on offer, so youngsters can choose to try out some new activities (or stick to old favourites) and burn off plenty of their energy. Parents can pre-book either one or two days or whole weeks at a time, safe in the knowledge that their children will be well looked after. Costs can vary considerably, so do plenty of research before making a commitment.

Check out some local attractions
There are a whole host of family friendly attractions in Sussex just waiting to be discovered – such as castles, galleries and museums. Some have no admission charges, while others may offer family tickets at a slightly discounted rate compared to if they were all purchased individually. Some attractions may also host special days over the summer holidays, with themed events running or special guests in attendance.

Games
Games such as musical statues don’t just belong at parties, they can be played at home too. For a twist on the traditional hide and seek, try getting the hider to move from one hiding place to another and see how long they can last without being spotted. A pen and paper is all that’s needed for games such as hangman and noughts and crosses, and a pack of cards can be used for games including snap, go fish or pairs. You could also invest in a selection of board games, but be prepared for things to get competitive!

Treasure hunt
The beauty of a treasure hunt is that it can be organised indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather. You can draw a map, or leave clues in various spots around the house and garden. The treasure can be something simple like a colouring book and some crayons, or a bag of sweets. Kids will enjoy working out the clues and they will be even happier when they find the prize.

Making pizzas or baking
Buy some pizza bases and lots of ingredients that your kids can use to decorate them. You can also dig out the recipe books or search online for a cupcakes or biscuits recipe. Your children can have great fun getting their hands dirty – and probably even more fun tucking in!

Home cinema afternoon
A nice children’s film can be watched by the whole family. You could make some popcorn and paper tickets. One child can then take on the role of steward/stewardess and show you to your seats, announce when the movie is starting and even tell you off if you are making too much noise during the film!

Make your own mini Olympics
One for sunnier days, but why not make your own sport challenge in your garden? You can have relay races and come up with challenges involving items such as bean bags, skipping ropes and hula hoops, all of which can be bought quite cheaply and used again and again. The sillier the challenge the better the laughs, and grown ups can even join in!

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