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Top 10 Cheap (or Free!) Things to Do Over the School Holidays

For many people the school holidays signal the official start of the summer, whether it’s picnics in the park, ice creams on the beach or family bbqs in the garden – and that’s just the first week! Keeping the kids entertained cheaply for six weeks is a challenging task which isn’t always kind on your purse strings. Fear not though, because we have come up with the top 10 free or cheap things for your kids to do, which gives plenty of variety and may even allow you time to relax - if you are lucky!

Make your own house elf sock puppet
Harry Potter mania is sweeping the UK and with his big screen finale it seems a shame to wave goodbye to all the wonder and magic surrounding the fantastic story. Why not test your little ones imagination by creating a house elf sock puppet using a white sock, felt tips, glue and goggle eyes. It can be kind like Dobby, disgruntled like Kreacher or an entirely new character - the fun part is giving the puppet a personality so challenge your little one to choose it a name, magic power and funny voice!

Role playing
If your child is a fan of the children’s TV programme Little Charley Bear they will love role playing, plus it is great for developing the imagination. Fun scenes to re-enact could be a day at the circus, a journey to the moon or shopkeepers, just make sure to use toys and utensils as fun props. Make it more challenging by asking your child to pretend to be little Charley Bear – he can’t actually speak so this will encourage your child to carefully think about using their actions and body language to communicate.

Paint a Tinga Tinga picture
Another popular children’s TV show, Tinga Tinga Tales creates unusual, fictional stories about how various African animals like lions, monkeys and elephants came to be the way they are. Based upon striking animal art from the 700 Tingtinga artists of Tanzania, the show’s animals are slightly cartoon-like in colour and appearance making them perfect picture inspiration for children. Dig out those paints and see how many patterns and colours your child can combine to design their own animal.

Create your own perfume
Going back to basics, this activity is completely free providing you have access to a garden and some almond oil. Your child can hunt round the garden for flowers (strongly scented ones work best such as rose petals or lavender)and tailor-make their very own perfume. For each cup of flowers use a cup of almond oil and crush them together in a mixing bowl or pestle and mortar. Next, drain the oil off so that there are no flowers remaining in and add this gradually to half a cup of distilled water until the desired smell intensity is reached. Pour into a pretty bottle, add a home-made label and voila!

Go on a train adventure
For many children a trip on the train is a rare treat and one which instils instant excitement. Why not ditch your car for the day and jump on a train to your neighbouring city or town? Even if the journey is only half an hour you can play some fab games such as seeing what your child can spot using the letters from their name. You could even take a picnic with you so once you reach your destination you can pitch up somewhere pretty for the afternoon.

Dress up your car
Disney Pixar release Cars 2 this summer, which is a film about a talking racing car and his friends. Why not let your child create a persona for your real life car on the driveway or one of their toy cars. Use A4 paper to make stick-on eyes for the headlights and a mouth for the bonnet, just make sure you assist with the blue tacking – whatever you do don’t opt for sticky tape or your paint work may get damaged! You could even search online for some images to print and cut out to assist you.

Design your own pirate flag or treasure map
If your child is very creative why not introduce them to sewing by setting them the task of creating a pirate ship flag using a felt square, bits of fabric, large needles and wool. You can combine anything sea related from a mermaid design, to more traditional skull and cross bones. Alternatively, ask the kids to hide a piece of ‘treasure’ in the garden, then design and colour a map which you will try out to find the treasure.

Create a story bracelet
If you have a long, woodland walk planned story bracelets are a fun way of keeping the kids engaged on route (and also help to minimise moaning!) Using thick paper, cut a strip about 5 centimetres thick and staple it together around your child’s wrist like a bracelet. Take some sticky tape with you and challenge your little one to fill their bracelet with different items that catch their eye such as leaves, flowers, feathers and any other unusual bits discovered out and about. Once home, see if they can tell the story of your day out using their bracelet.

Rainy day card making
With the English weather, it is very likely that there will be an unexpected rainy day or two so make sure you stock up on cheap craft kits just in case. Children love sparkles and glitter, so get them thinking about upcoming friends’ birthdays or special occasions they can design cards for. Alternatively, if your child’s birthday is coming up get them to create their party invitations - homemade stationary has a lovely personalised touch as well as saving you money and time having to going to the shop.

Hold a mini Olympics
We all know there are some days when children are more hyperactive than usual and with the Olympics being held here in 2012 holding your own mini Olympics, or taking them to a local gym session, could be the ideal solution. Not only do you keep them fit and teach them more about the Olympics but you can tire them out too so that when it comes to bed time there are no arguments!

These kids’ activity ideas have been inspired by the jam-packed summer events programme taking place at the Westfield London Shopping Centre from 25th July – 3rd September. For more information on the free events see the Westfield London website: http://uk.westfield.com/london