Summer holidays: keep the kids entertained with these activity ideas
*This article contains affiliate links. If you click on a link we can earn affiliate revenue.
The six weeks holidays are upon us and, with it often, the worry of having to keep the children both happy and entertained for what can seem like an endless stretch of time.
While many schools and local authorities will offer holiday clubs for part of the period, there is still a chunk of time to fill.
Thankfully, we’ve rounded up an ultimate guide to activities for kids of all ages to enjoy at home and in the garden.
We’ve also tagged on a few affordable day out ideas around the country, too – so you have plenty of options to be inspired by…
Summer holidays ideas: get in the garden
Summer is our chance to enjoy our garden spaces.
They take up lots of work and are only really available to use April to September – so definitely make the most of the holiday time to enjoy them.
This collection of ideas is great for getting the kids to enjoy the garden…
Create a glamping site
Not going abroad? Transform your garden into a child-friendly magical glamping getaway with this magical idea from Lights4fun.
All you need is a small tent or teepee, soft outdoor cushions, and festoon lighting to bring a little sparkle after dark.
Add in a projector and suddenly you’ve got an outdoor cinema – the ultimate staycation treat.
Encourage them to invite the besties over for a sleepover and you’ve create some core summer memories.
For added comfort and style, you could layer outdoor rugs to create zoned play areas that feel like an outdoors living room under the stars.
Growing vegetables
Getting out into the garden and doing something productive are two summer activities that go hand in hand.
Luckily, SheGrowsVeg have cottoned onto this with their new kid-friendly subscription – perfect for using over the summer.
The subscription includes two packs of seeds each month, sent at the optimum time for growth.
Each month there is also a little challenge to engage the children and help keep it fun for them – such as growing the biggest sunflower, or growing tomatoes to make your very own ketchup.
The first month also comes with a fun carrot key ring gift – ideal for budding growers.
The seeds sent in the kids subscription are specially designed for smaller spaces, pots or even windowsills – so whatever size your garden is, or even if you don’t have one, they can still participate.
Each pack comes with a helpful guide and video content to make growing veg a breeze, and an exciting summer project.
Sensory play
Sensory play is a fundamental part of children’s development and engaging multiple senses.
Water play especially is an enriching, accessible activity.
Zuru’s range off a Bunch O Balloons is perfect for squishy, splashy sensory sessions that everyone in the family can enjoy.
It includes the Bunch O Balloons the balloons which can be used multiple times, and with up to 1,500 splashes per balloon there will be endless fun all summer long.
Simply dunk, close and splash the lightweight balloons to have fun.
- Bunch O Balloons 3-Pack, £12 from Argos – buy here
Water play
There’s nothing better during the summer holidays than a new pool in the back garden.
But any kind of water play can mean six weeks of incredible fun, come rain or shine.
Bestway have an amazing selection of outdoor water pools and activities that will ensure the memories created from summer 2025 are some of the best yet.
Browse the incredible pools and water activity sets available at Bestway here.
Summer of sports
Kickstart your kids love of sports by investing in some fun sporty garden games for you all to enjoy throughout the summer.
B&Q have an incredible range of nets for football penalty practice, cricket sets, and even a football/tennis fusion game that means you can practice your England Women’s Euros qualification entry, as well as your Wimbledon serve with the same game!
Joking aside, taking part in sport at home is a great way to encourage physical activity and a healthy mindset in young children.
It can also help to foster a positive interest in sport as they go through life.
Shop the B&Q summer of sports range at diy.com here
Getting into nature
Exploring nature is a great way to encourage children to get outside over the summer, and new app Wildling is perfect for creative ways to do so.
Wildling is brimming with content including how-to tips and inspiring ideas of how to make the most of your time in nature, including ‘how to build a den’ or ‘how to go rock pooling’.
If you want to get out of the house, it also has an interactive map of thousands of locations across England to explore. Highlighting everything from a green space on your urban doorstep, to adventures in the great outdoors.
Start your nature adventure today and download Wilding.
Summer holidays ideas for at home
Despite it being the aptly named ‘summer holiday’ – the weather in the UK isn’t always good enough to be out of the house.
And, even if the summer does continue in the same vein as it has been so far this year, it’s still good to have some indoor activities ready to escape the heat.
Popsicle painting
Craft ideas are always a great go-to when it comes to entertaining the kids at home, and this summer themed idea from Baker Ross is perfect for kids of all ages.
- Fill a cardboard tube with a small leftover plastic bag
- Create a bottom to the tube using tin foil and place it into a bowl
- Fill with a small amount of paint and freeze
- Continue this process of freezing the layers
- At the halfway point add a craft stick
- Once the tube is full of paint, cut and remove the frozen paint popsicle
It looks cute and is a great way to keep all the children entertained.
Find out more summer craft ideas at bakerross.co.uk
Pop over to Pinterest
Pinterest is always a go-to in my house if I’m looking for an easy crafting hack.
There is pages and pages of inspiration for kids of all ages, abilities and interests! Even if your child isn’t a painting pro or into traditional art, there’s always something fun to inspire and entertain.
These DIY octopus boards were just when of many ideas we came across immediately on the site.
Get pinning and plan your kids’ summer of Pinterest crafts here
Colouring
This might sound like a basic idea, but colouring for both adults and children can be a calming, dedicated activity.
It’s perfect for winding down after a day out, or just a way to kill an hour or so if the weather turns or a younger sibling needs a nap.
The new Ohuhu coloured pens are the perfect investment to make an afternoon of colouring sound extra appealing for your kids.
You can have standard colours, metallic, and florescent, so you can cater your colour choice to what you’re designing.
They’re available in packs of 30, 60 or 90 depending on your colouring needs, these are extra special.
Not only can they be used for colouring on paper, but also phone cases, game controllers, rocks, eggs and more.
- Ohuhu Dual Nib Waterproof Acrylic Pen, from £35 from Ohuhu – buy here
Puzzle games
Puzzle games are a crucial part of childhood and great for an at-home activity than everyone can get involved with.
This Escape the Aquarium game is perfect – especially if you’re heading to a Sea Life Centre or Aquarium over the holidays.
If you’re lucky, after a few rounds of this your kids will be able to play together or even independently, and you can enjoy some child-free reading, scrolling or just soaking up the sun.
- Escape from the Aquarium game, £11.99 from Ginger Fox – buy here
Journalling
Who said summer can’t be a time to improve your writing skills?
Encourage writing and journaling in your little one by getting them a Fun Lockets Journal to enjoy this summer.
They’ll be able to jot down their summer memories and any experiences they get up to.
The Fun Lockets Journal is clad with stickers and interactive elements that will keep your kids engaged and help instil a love of writing at the same time.
- Secret Lockets Journal, £18.99 from Amazon – buy here
Build your own animal
Looking for something to keep the kids busy at home this summer? This collection of build your own animal kits is perfect for keeping little hands busy.
They’re relatively easy to build so better for younger children aged 4 and up. They come with extra care accessories so once built, your child can enjoy plenty of imaginative fun with their new friend.
Choose from unicorns, baby dragons, puppies and kittens for your little one.
- Build a unicorn kit, £7.99 from buildyourownkits.com – buy here
READ MORE“