For those grandparents, parents, friends and relatives who all pitch in to help with childcare during the endless summer holidays, it can be a real challenge coming up with activities that don’t cost a fortune.

Together with my little helpers, we have come up with 20 ideas for fun and purse-friendly things to do.

I’d love to hear your suggestions too!

1. On a sunny day and using an old oilcloth tablecloth or plastic sheet, create a garden ‘slide’ with water and washing up liquid.
2. Find out what exhibitions are on at your local museums/art galleries/National Trust and choose your favourite. We’re going to the portrait exhibition at Attingham Park and the Astronomy Photographer of the Year exhibition at Liverpool museum.
3. Create your own artwork or sculpture inspired by your visit. Be as creative as possible with colour and materials.
4. Travel by train somewhere new (if you get a Friends & Family railcard, this reduces the cost).
5. Create an obstacle course in the garden.
6. Climb a hill and take a photograph at the top.
7. Create a mosaic collage of the picture taken above using different coloured papers and/or cuttings from magazines.
8. Have a board games tournament. One of our new favourites is Genius Squares – it’s kept my children (and me!) amused for ages and you can’t beat the old favourite Cranium.
9. Play tennis or badminton at your local park/leisure centre.
10. Ride bikes along quiet local roads or paths and reward yourselves with an ice cream from a shop on route.
11. Make Chocolate Apples: add a lolly stick to small apples and coat in melted chocolate.
12. Take a picnic to the seaside. Paddle amongst the waves, play ball, balance stones, create sand sculpture and look for life in rockpools.
13. Paint faces with a festival vibe.
14. Take part in the Summer Reading Challenge at your local library.
15. Put on their favourite tunes and get household chores done together.
16. Draw ‘alien animals’: each person has a piece of paper. Start by drawing hair/hat then fold over to hide it and pass on, then draw a head etc. Laugh at what curious creatures you create when you unfold each piece of paper.
17. Create a pot or hanging basket and encourage them to water it and deadhead the flowers over the summer.
18. Contact your local leisure centre to find out about their planned summer events. They often hold sports activity days and fun swims during the holidays.
19. Snuggle under a blanket together and watch your favourite family film.
20. Make Rocky Road Cookies (recipe below).

Rocky Road Cookies

This recipe is taken from my favourite of our cookbooks; Fantastic Food for Less.

It’s packed with loads of really delicious meals, which cost little to make.

To find out more click here.

Have a wonderful time creating lasting memories!

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#WhatToDoInSummer
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