It’s not long until UK schools close for the long summer holidays, and parents will have to find various ways to keep their kids entertained, especially if they’re younger. Ensuring your child continues to learn during their break from school is crucial, because it’s important that they remain stimulated and continue to uncover new information. I have teamed up with an independent school in the West Midlands to share some suggestions of educational activities you could do with your child during their holidays.
Museums
Museums and art galleries are usually free to enter and there are so many across the country that you don’t necessarily have to go into London. There are also lots of different types of museums, such as the de Havilland Aircraft Museum in Shenley for children interested in aircraft, the Jorvik Viking Centre in York which contains lifelike mannequins and the National Space Centre in Leicester, which provides ‘an out of this world experience’ for all. With so many options available to suit different interests, you are sure to find something that will be fun for your child, while also allowing them to learn new facts and information that they can tell their friends about when they return to school.
Libraries
Another option for a rainy day is to take a visit to the library. If your child isn’t particularly a reading fan, taking them to the library and allowing them to pick out their own books might be a way to help them find an interest in it, because they will be able to explore genres that appeal to them.
Scavenger Hunts
Scavenger hunts are a great way to get your child outdoors and encourage them to run around and exercise, which is crucial in today’s digital era. Write a list of items you’d like your child to find and get their friends involved and turn it into a healthy competition – whoever finds the items first and comes back to base is the winner. The items could be things like acorns, feathers, buttercups, daisies, sycamore leaves, conkers etc. This is educational because it will help your child learn about different aspects of nature.
Baking
While baking may not seem like an educational activity, it’s actually a chance for children to develop a range of key skills. Pouring and mixing is great for their fine motor skills and reading/following instructions will help them with spelling and vocabulary. Finally, measuring and weighing ingredients is fantastic for their numeracy skills as it helps them become more familiar with numbers and units.
Beaches
If you’re blessed with beautiful weather, why not consider heading to one of the UK’s beautiful beaches? Not only is it great fun for children but it’s also a chance for them to become better swimmers and learn about things like fossils and rock pools.
Obviously, these five ideas merely scratch the surface when it comes to educational activities you could explore with your child this summer, but they should at least inspire you and point you in the direction of a fun-filled break.
*This is a collaborative post
Love libraries ! So different than years ago – so mich more than books