It can be difficult to know how to spend time with your children and keep them entertained, especially as they get older. It’s important to spend time together and plan family activities, however, this can become expensive and you may have run out of ideas. We’re here to help – we have some great ideas on things to do with children, read on to discover our favourites.
FAMILY SPORTS DAY
Perfect for warmer weather and an ideal activity if you’re on a budget, a sports day is fun for the whole family. Head to a local park or stay in the comfort of your own garden. Hosting a sports day for your family can help build relationships, test your competitive streak and help children’s personal development. For older children, a game of rounders is ideal, whereas an egg and spoon race suits all ages.
FAMILY ADVENTURE DAY OUT
Jump in your car or onto public transport and explore your hometown! Luckily in the UK, there are plenty of things to do with kids in summer, and exploring outdoor spaces is one of them. Find a nature trail for a walk or a different part of town to have lunch. Alternatively, head to a local museum, where you might be surprised with what you find out about your hometown! Learning together is a great way to bond with your kids.
SPEND TIME WITH OUR FURRY FRIENDS
Spending time with animals can be great fun for kids and parents. Head to a local farm, zoo or dog shelter for quality time with your children. It’s a fantastic opportunity for kids to gain confidence with animals and learn to socialise in a different setting. If you have dogs, why not kill two birds with one stone? Take a day trip with the whole family, you’ll get some exercise, spend time with your children, and tire the dog out
BAKE TOGETHER
Perhaps the winter clothing has emerged once again and the thought of going outside is less than appealing. If so, spend time with your children inside by utilising a resource like your kitchen. Get the utensils out and bake - it can be as complicated as you make it! To get the older kids involved, think about having a Bake Off-like competition with a prize for the best effort.
LOCAL COMMUNITY EVENTS
Plenty of communities hold events in cities, towns and villages. If you keep putting off going, there’s no time like the present! Lots of councils run events that are child-friendly and fun for the whole family. Head to Google or Facebook and see what’s going on. It’s a chance for your children to socialise with other kids and an opportunity for you to build relationships with like-minded parents.
INDOOR ACTIVITIES
Is the weather getting too much to bear? We are in the UK after all. Luckily, we’re used to cold temperatures and rainy days, so there are lots of indoor activities to get involved in. Whether it’s a trip to the cinema, going to an indoor play area or having fun at a ski centre, the internet is your friend. Get researching and try something new with the family this weekend. You could always play one of the best board games of all time - there are so many fun things to do at home!
VOLUNTEER TOGETHER
There’s no better way to create irreplaceable bonds with your children than by spending time in a completely new scenario. Volunteering with your kids can strengthen your bond as well as teaching valuable skills. See the benefits of volunteering with children.
One way to spend time together, volunteer and bring your child into a situation where they can meet new people, gain valuable skills and develop, is by joining the Army Cadet Force. We encourage adults from all walks of life to volunteer with us and support our cadets, and there are many benefits to doing so. As well as seeing your child learn and develop, there are numerous qualifications that you can gain which can help improve your CV.
Children can join the ACF between the ages of 11 and 18, and experience exciting activities like adventure training, annual camps, and gain plenty of transferable skills. We have found that the ACF promotes positive peer pressure and can become a place where young people can thrive.
To get more information, search for your nearest detachment and get in touch with the Army Cadet Force.
