Simple ways to keep little ones entertained this Summer ☀️
As the summer holidays approach, it is easy to feel the pressure of filling the six weeks with exciting activities, day trips, and memorable experiences. Social media can make it seem as though every day needs to be packed with adventures, but the reality is that children often find the greatest joy in the simplest things and you don’t need to keep them constantly entertained to have a joyful summer.
Rather than creating a jam-packed schedule, summer can be a wonderful opportunity to slow down (even if you are away from home), enjoy quality time together, and follow your child's interests. When children are given the freedom to explore what genuinely captures their attention, the experience of play is improved, it’s often more meaningful, and perhaps more importantly, far less stressful for us grown ups too.
Download our Summer of Play Bingo for over 30 simple ways you can enjoy a playful Summer together.
Summer offers the perfect opportunity to spend more time outside. Nature provides an ever-changing environment filled with opportunities for discovery and adventure.
Hi, I’m Jess. As a former primary school teacher, I know just how important it is to include play in our daily routine. It not only helps support our child’s development but helps us to stay connected too.
All play ideas I share are simple and easy to set up and require very few resources, most of which you will find in your home. They are often open ended so that you can tailor them to suit the needs/interests of your child.
Following Your Child's Lead
One child may spend hours collecting sticks and leaves in the garden, creating imaginary worlds and stories. Another may become fascinated by water play, happily pouring, mixing, and experimenting with containers for an entire afternoon.
Following a child's interests doesn't require expensive resources or elaborate plans. It simply means paying attention to what excites them and offering opportunities to explore those interests further.
If your child loves insects, a walk around the local park can be the perfect place for a mini-beast hunt If they enjoy building, a pile of cardboard boxes can provide endless opportunities for creativity and problem-solving. If they're interested in art, a few paints, recycled materials, or even a bucket of water and a paintbrush outdoors can keep them engaged for surprisingly long periods.
You might find yourself setting up simple things like water and petals to mix “potions,” or giving them scoops and containers to pour, fill, and experiment. Sometimes it’s as easy as adding a new texture or scent to something familiar.
It’s not about the setup, it’s about the freedom to explore.
The power of simple play
It's easy to assume that keeping children happy during the holidays requires a constant stream of activities, but some of the most memorable moments come from everyday experiences.
Building a den in the living room, baking together, visiting the library, exploring a woodland trail, painting rocks, planting seeds, or simply having a picnic in the garden can provide hours of enjoyment. These simple activities encourage creativity, communication, problem-solving and imagination, all while creating opportunities for connection and conversation.
Children don't always remember the expensive days out. Often, they remember the small moments spent with you: catching a ladybird, making a muddy potion, splashing in puddles, or sharing an ice cream on a sunny afternoon.
Embracing the Outdoors
Summer offers the perfect opportunity to spend more time outside. Nature provides an ever-changing environment filled with opportunities for discovery and adventure.
Whether it's a trip to the beach, a walk through the woods, an afternoon at the park, or simply time spent in the garden, outdoor play encourages children to explore, move their bodies, and connect with the world around them.
The beauty of outdoor play is that it rarely needs much preparation.
It's Okay to Be Bored
Boredom isn't necessarily a bad thing.
When children aren't constantly entertained, they have the opportunity to develop creativity, independence, and problem-solving skills. Given a little time and space, they often invent games, stories, and adventures of their own.
This is something we are working on as a family. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy playing with children, but I think at times they become too dependent on me. So, I am trying to take a step back so that they become less reliant on me to provide the entertainment.
Rather than rushing to fill every moment, try embracing some slower days this summer, everyone will feel the benefits.
Download Our Free Summer of Play Bingo
If you're looking for a little extra inspiration, I’ve created a free Summer Play Bingo download packed with simple, child-friendly ideas to encourage play, exploration, creativity and family fun throughout the holidays.
Rather than treating it as a checklist to complete, think of it as a source of inspiration for those moments when you need a new idea. Let your child choose an activity that sparks their interest and see where it takes you.
Whether it's exploring nature, getting creative, helping around the house, or simply enjoying time together, the aim isn't to fill every minute, it's to make the most of the simple moments that make summer special.
Download your free Summer of Play Bingo below and enjoy a summer filled with play, connection and adventure.
If you try any of these ideas, don’t forget to tag @thrivingmumhub — I’d love to see what you get up to this Summer.
The Thriving Mum Hub aims to support you to thrive through motherhood, one small step at time.
It provides you with effective tools to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Through quick at-home workouts, weekly play prompts for your little ones, and flexible meal plans, I help you look after your health, connect with your child, and take the stress out of family mealtimes.
