Summer’s (finally) here! And what better way to celebrate than a staycation in the sun? UK staycations have really stepped up their game over the past few years – think Cornwall, the Peak District, or the Scottish Highlands. So, if you’re not going abroad this year, follow our family staycation tips for some summer fun with the kids!
1. Take a family trip to a museum
The UK is home to some of the best museums in the world. The best part? A lot of them are free (yay!) and come paired with some fantastic children’s activities. If you’re not sure which museum to go to, check out Whichmuseum.co.uk or list.co.uk to discover the best museum suggestions for every interest.
If you’re nearby London, you’ve got lots of choice. Junior dinosaur fans will love exploring prehistoric life in the Natural History Museum, and budding scientists will love to find out what ‘Our Future Planet’ might look like thanks to the Science Museum’s summer exhibition!
2. Go on a picnic
You can’t beat a family picnic in a scenic location – when the weather’s nice, of course. So next time the sun’s out, grab a picnic basket, fill it with home-baked goodies and freshly made sarnies (or pop into a supermarket and buy what you need), pack the car with blankets, chairs and the obligatory frisbee, and hit that picnic spot. If you need some location inspiration, the National Trust has compiled a list of perfect picnic spots here. Oh, and don’t forget the sun cream.
3. Discover the joys of going local
You don’t have to travel far for family fun these days. And there’s always some kind of special feeling when you support local business. Why not take the week off and treat the kids to local dinners at restaurants you’ve never been before? Or, find some nearby activity or attraction for the whole family to enjoy. Hoop and Days Out With The Kids are our favourite websites dedicated to family fun.
4. Download some helpful activity apps
Alternatively, there are tonnes of free apps out there to help solve your summer boredom. On TripAdvisor and Google Maps, you can just enter your location and type the word ‘kids’ into the search bar – and voila!
You can also use the AroundMe app to search for things like nearby theatres and events, or OpenTable for summer eats. If you’re travelling somewhere new, book your perfect stay with Airbnb, and pair it with Citymapper to find the best route in a new city. Going abroad this summer? Find out what travel apps are essential for fun in the sun.
5. Play games with the family
It’s summer! But it’s Britain, so it’s going to rain at some point. Sorry, but it’s true. That’s why it’s good to be prepared with some fun family games you can play indoors. Get out those traditional board games you enjoyed when you were a child. Or, if you’re looking for something slightly more modern, take a look at some of the best board games of 2022.
If you’re one of those families where board games end up in an argument, you might be better of sticking with tablets and smartphones. Nowadays, there are plenty of apps and games to entertain kids of all ages.
6. Bring the cinema home
Forget about the TV – that’s been done before – why not project movies onto your wall for a big screen experience? You’ll find a great selection here, including the Philips NeoPix Mini Projector which is the perfect size for travelling. Or, if you’re looking for something a little fancier, why not try out the Optoma Full HD Home Cinema projector? It works in natural light and dark rooms, and gives you a huge screen size of up to 301-inches. Close the curtains, turn the lights off, pass the popcorn, and prepare to be blown away.
7. Get the tent out
We’re going to end with another old-school suggestion that you might have enjoyed when you were a kid. Camping. You don’t have to lug the tent too far to enjoy a night under the stars. The back garden is a fine spot to pitch a tent if your youngsters are new to camping, and it gives you lots of advantages – like nearby toilets and the joys of a fully stocked fridge!
If you want to venture further afield and go for a proper camping trip with the kids, you’ll find lots of good advice on camping with kids from ‘Camping in the Forest’.
Not holidaying with children? Or maybe you’d rather go solo for your staycation? Never fear, we’ve got some great ideas for you, too.
We hope you find these family staycation tips useful. If you’ve got any suggestions of your own, we’d love to hear them. Post a reply below and share it with the rest of the Community