Summer is in full swing!

It’s easy for the kids to get bored quickly. You may think that you have to spend lots of money to keep them busy.  To help keep them entertained, we have put together a list of free activities for kids.

1. Have a picnic. This activity is so fun and simple, the kids can even help make the sandwiches. You don’t have to go far just to the local park, or you could even have a picnic in the garden. Just pack up some goodies and a blanket and head on out. Turn it into a teddy bear’s picnic by taking your little one’s favourite toy with them.
2. Go for a nature walk. If the weather’s good, why not head outside for a walk and explore your local area. You can go on a nature walk anywhere, if you talk about what you can see around you – What animals/plants/insects/birds do you see? Make it more fun by turning it into a game of I spy.
3. Set up an obstacle course. Use things you find around the house to create an obstacle course either in the garden or indoors if you have the space. If you are feeling extra creative, turn it into a mini sports day by having games such as the egg and spoon race, or the sack race.
4. Make paper airplanes. Then you can have races to see which one flies for the longest or the furthest. Here are some simple instructions for making a basic paper plane.
5. Go to the library. A great activity for when it’s raining. Not only is it free to join the library, but during the summer holidays, there are usually lots of other activities going on that the kids can join in.
6. Have a movie day. If it’s raining outside why not cosy up on the sofa with a blanket and have a movie day. Grab some snacks or popcorn to give it more of a cinema feel.
7. Visit a museum. Lots of museums up and down the UK are free to visit and make a great day out for both you and the kids. You can find a list of free museums here.
8. Go camping. You don’t have to go far as you can pitch up the tent in the garden and spend a night under the stars. If you don’t have a tent, see if any of your family or friends have one that you can borrow.
9. Paint rocks/stones. Head out on a walk and get the kids to pick the most interesting looking rocks they can find. Then when you get home, the kids can decorate them to display around the house when they have finished.
10. My Pet Pals workshop. Pets at home will be running free workshops all through the summer holidays, that teach children how to care for animals. There are games, colouring and crafts, and a Pet Pals certificate. Book a session online here

If you are looking to borrow & save this Summer Northern Community Bank’s Family Loan & Saving Scheme may be of interest to you. Borrow up to £500 for family expenses and use your Child Benefit to make the repayments and saving deposits – We assess your affordability with no credit check. Click here to read more.