During the summer holidays, parents have to provide summer entertainment that keeps the family occupied. Many parents fear the lack of direction or think the kids will spend all summer indoors, but recognise that educational family activities may not be met with the same enthusiasm!

Our guide covers timeless activities for you to do with your family, including ones they would choose to do themselves! These activities are targeted to secondary school students, but can be adapted for younger family members too. 

Everyday Activities

Days during the summer holidays can feel long, so fill them with these everyday activities. It is important you practice them as the parent too, as your child learns from example and you can develop good habits as a family. 

Reading

Don’t underestimate the importance of reading as a summer activity! You can read inside or outside depending on the weather, on the move, and it takes the children away from screens. 

Some schools issue reading lists over summer for students to get a headstart on materials for the following year. To support them, you can read the list together and discuss what you thought at the end of each book. Be sure to give your child time to read other books of their choice - they will likely dislike the school-chosen books on principle!

Cooking and Baking

The kitchen is packed with educational lessons for your child, and gives them valuable life skills. Depending on their age, you can give them some autonomy such as choosing and following recipes. If you feel able, you can help them think about the process of cooking, keeping good food hygiene, and the role of the kitchen throughout history. More importantly, it is a great, hands-on activity for children to enjoy with their parents that can continue beyond the summer holidays. 

Film and TV

While you will likely want to limit your child’s screen time over summer, you can make their screen time more educational by choosing the right film and TV to watch. Here are some of our favourite choices to keep the family entertained and get you all thinking.

• Romeo and Juliet (1996)

This adaptation and others based on Shakespeare’s work help students understand the text better by seeing it in action. 

• Selma (2015)

The film is based on the historical march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama - a pivotal moment for Martin Luther King, Jnr. and the US Civil Rights Movement. It will support students with their History lessons and understanding current political events. 

• Seven Worlds, One Planet (2019)

David Attenborough programmes are great for entertainment, understanding geography and thinking about our impact on the environment. 

• The Artist is in (Ted talks)

This Ted talks series is great for inspiring creativity, as 14 artists share their stories and inspiration. 

Around the House

The activities below may not be something you do everyday, but are family-friendly activities you can do around the house.

Gardening

Gardening is a perfect summer activity - it gets the children outside, helps them practice long-term gratification, and teaches them about science. They can practice autonomy by choosing which plants to grow, and make sure monitoring, watering and trimming are part of their schedule. If you don’t have a garden, help them care for a houseplant and keep it in a central location. 

Gaming

Setting aside a certain amount of time per week for a family games night is a great way to keep kids learning over summer. Family favourite games including Scrabble, Monopoly and Rummikub support crucial skills in Maths and English, and helps develop them as good players! You can also spend time on online games and learn together - here are a number of educational apps for you to use.

Out and About

To shake up the summer and keep the family learning, we think day trips are great for bringing fun and education together. Here are some of our favourites.

• Visit a Museum

Museums are known for their educational content, and they can be great fun for the family too. Choose museums that focus on areas of interest for your child, and you can improve the experience with a tour or audio guide to be more interactive. 

• See a Show

Going to the theatre is always good entertainment and can be particularly educational. You can choose shows based off books or history, or focus on the artistry and creativity of putting on a show, depending on your child’s interests.

• Visit a National Trust site

Getting out in nature is important, especially when the weather is nice! Many sites have interactive activities and areas, or you can simply enjoy nature as a family.

• Go to the beach

Visiting our great British beaches is a perfect summer activity. Children can learn about the tides, animals and the impact of global warming, while breaking to build a sandcastle or too! 

We know the summer holidays may seem long, but make the most of them as before you know it, the children will be back in school. Summer should also be a time for all of the family to unwind and relax, so make sure any activities are fun for all.