How to keep children entertained over the summer

Here are just a few things we’ve done for very little money which have been really popular with our children and their families.

Puppets and robots  

One thing that’s proved very popular at our Holiday Hub has been making models out of household waste and recyclable materials. We’ve made puppets, robots and even models of family members – finding lots of the children and young people really enjoy the chance to get creative. It’s a lot of fun and doesn’t cost much at all.  

The creative aspect is really useful for helping children develop their imagination – and after we’ve made puppets we’ll often tell each other stories about them. This is also a great activity for parents, who we find really get into it.

Top tip: don’t throw away lolly sticks as they’re very useful for puppets!  

Rock art  

We’ve also used permanent markers to decorate rocks. It’s very cheap, as you can buy a set of permanent markers from pound shops, or even sets of googly eyes from craft shops if you want to make rock “pets”. What’s even more fun is when you finish, your children can take the rocks out into the garden and decide where to place them! You can also use them with my next suggestion…   

Treasure hunts  

On a dry day it’s really easy to devise a nature treasure hunt. Just print off or draw some pictures of objects you would find in nature – such as feathers, rocks, pine cones, flowers, grass  – and when your children spot them, they can either collect them and put them into a paper bag or tick them off the list. It’s a great idea if you’re out for a walk and doesn’t need lots of effort!  

Top tip: be careful not to pick wildflowers or plants from someone’s garden!