Summer holiday activity tips from the NABS team

Stuck for ideas of what to do with your little ones over the summer holidays?

The NABS team are coming to your rescue with a range of things to do to occupy both yourself and your children.

Get crafty

At home, we like to get crafty: clay modelling, painting, face paints, building dens, making ice lollies and baking, there are lots of easy ‘recipes’ online and the kids love making stuff. Or, if it’s hot, we’ll make the most of the paddling pool or sprinkler in the garden, water balloons are a favourite at our house!

Ultimately, play dates are a real win:win, as my boys get to play with their friends and I get to have a cuppa and catch up with mine.

Claire Dickson, senior support advisor, mum to two boys aged 8 and 4.

Go fruit picking

Get some fresh air and make the most of the nice weather by fruit picking. Or visit Lavender Farm, you can have a picnic amongst the lavender and children’s tickets include a free bug hunt kit to keep them entertained.

Marela Fahad, senior partnerships manager, mum to Luna, 3 and Idris, 19 months

Farm fun

My son loves animals, all animals. So we’ll be making our way around the city farms in London with a coffee for me and pigs galore for him. Spitalfields City Farm has free activities such as story hour and animal encounters, and at Mudchute you can feed the animals.

Hatty Molyneux, senior marketing executive, mum to Laurie, 19 months.

Search for SEND slots

Look out for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities dedicated slots, like cinemas or trampoline parks. At the trampoline parks, for example, they keep the lights up, the music isn’t as loud and there are fewer children.

I used to be guilty of throwing away free newspapers and local guides that came through our letterbox. Since having kids, I’ve learnt there is usually at least one nugget in there for entertainment during a holiday!

Steve Rowe, lead senior support advisor, dad to Ruby, 4 and Felix, 2.

Ice, ice baby

Here’s a cheap, yet entertaining activity: Take one child and one bucket of ice. Place bucket on grass or towel if you don’t have access to an outside space. Allow child to play with the ice. It’ll cool them down and fascinate them for a while as they watch the ice melt.

Louise Scodie, senior PR and communications manager, mum to Amber, 5.

Look to insta for inspiration

For younger children, there are some amazing instagram pages for kids, such as @bbctinyhappypeople, which posts great ideas for babies and toddlers.

For older children, let them choose an activity for the day. They feel independent for making the decision and you don’t have to think of something that day.

Also, as the cost of living continues to increase, look out for restaurants offering free meals for children throughout the summer holidays.

Katrina Urban, culture change & wellbeing services project manager, mum to Josh, 14 and Alice, 2.

Summer camp is key

Luckily my three boys can entertain themselves now, but when they were younger we used to love Barracudas.

Rebecca Wood, head of accounting, mum to three boys aged 8, 12 and 14.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed over the summer holidays and need support and guidance, call the NABS Advice Line on 0800 707 6607 between 9am – 5.30pm or email support@nabs.org.uk