With the Summer Holidays now firmly upon us and a near endless heatwave to go with it, the annual question that will be asked by families up and down the country is how to keep the children entertained?
It can be hard to constantly keep the youngsters busy over the course of six long hot weeks, not only can trying to find new and fresh ideas be something of an issue there is also the underlying factor of cost.
Not only that though parents often need to find time to have a break themselves during what can be a tiring spell, as the quest to fight off boredom becomes one that is all encompassing. That said there are plenty of options available for both you and your children, ones we will take a look at now.
1. The Cinema
A definite way to spend an entertaining couple of hours is at the Cinema, why not take in a family friendly hit that will keep people of all ages amused. Should you do so in the daytime then you can often find cheaper priced tickets as well to lessen the strain on your purse.
You may need to load up on a hefty amount of pic and mix beforehand, but a big bag of sweets will make sure that your children aren’t making any noise while the latest animated hit is being shown on the big screen.
However, if it’s more of a date night that you are looking forward to then why not use an evening at the pictures as an opportunity to spend some quality time with your other half while watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster.
2. Live Entertainment
Another idea to keep your children entertained this Summer is by taking them to one of the many interactive exhibitions or immersive theatre shows that are currently available. If you are fan of all things Jurassic, then why not visit Dinosaurs In The Wild in London?
Currently at the Greenwich Peninsula until September, this live-action exhibition displays life size Dinosaurs as you can get up close and personal to giants such as the Tyrannosaurus Rex or Velociraptor.
Or if you are based in the capital and Dinosaurs are not necessarily your thing then there is always the interactive experience which is being offered at Fantasia’s Sounds and Sorcery. This two-hour piece of immersive action is based on the hit Disney cartoon and is one to entertain all ages.
3. Get Active
One thing that is for certain is that your children will definitely have a lot of energy to burn – certainly more than us adults. At times looking after your youngsters can be something of a tiring task to undertake.
This often means that after a long day out there is not necessarily the energy to want to do something in the evening, however it is important that as parents you try to make time for yourselves.
A way to get around this potential issue is by undertaking some form of active pursuit with you and your children, it could be something as simple as your local Leisure Centre. Here they will have plenty of facilities on offer.
For example, what better way to cool off in this current warm climate with a visit to the local Swimming Pool, this can be a very cost-effective way to spend an afternoon and again is also a trip that can be enjoyed by all ages.
Not only that but it also has a great health benefit for your children, a trip to the pool means they are not cooped up indoors watching television or playing on their games console. A fun day out also comes with peace of mind too.
If the children don’t fancy getting wet then there is always the option of a soft play centre, here they can play stuntman or woman as they can crash around the climbing frames and ball pits, while you as a parent are safe in the knowledge that the risk of injury is not one which is forthcoming.
4. A day out at the beach
One of the great getaways in the Summer months is undoubtedly the beach, if you are lucky enough to live close to one then it is something that can be utilised at a low cost. However even if you don’t then it is only a car or train journey away to the coast.
The best thing about being at the beach is that you can take full advantage of what Mother Nature has to offer for free, simply lie back and soak up the Sun while your children attempt to build sandcastles or take a dip in the sea.
After a day relaxing while picking up some rays the focus can then shift to entertainment for the adults. After getting a childminder sorted for the evening, the options available for how to spend your night out then open up.
5. Remember, mum and dad need date nights
One place that strictly is only adults is the Casino, a place that offers excitement and high drama thanks to the wide range of games on offer. Do you take a chance on the roulette wheel and put everything on lucky number Seven or do you plump for a game of Blackjack?
Even if you don’t necessarily fancy a flutter, the warm atmosphere that the Casino provides can be an excellent place to wind down after a day out with the family and take in a couple of drinks with your most loved one.
If you were perhaps not fortunate enough to sort out a childminder for the night but you still fancied a night of gambling, then the solution is here without even having to leave your home. With the emergence of Online Casino, the slot machines are now a virtual click away.
With the Casino now at your fingertips it means all the excitement that comes with the flip of a card or a spin of a wheel can be found under your roof, while your children are tucked up in bed for the night.
Whatever you do this Summer be it with the whole family in the day time or a rare night out with your partner, hopefully this article will have given you plenty of ideas to make sure you get the best of this beautiful weather.