It’s been a scorcher. England and Wales just had their driest July on record, heat-health alerts went out in early August, and a good chunk of the country is now under a hosepipe ban. Translated into ‘entertaining the kids for six weeks’: the paddling pool’s off, and a full afternoon out in direct sun isn’t much fun for anyone.
The good news? Some of the best days out this summer don’t need a hosepipe, a fortune, or a flight abroad. Here’s where to point the kids next.
Cool off in a free museum.
The UK is home to some of the best museums in the world, a lot of them free, and every one of them air-conditioned – handy on a heat-alert day. If you’re not sure which museum to go to, check out Whichmuseum.co.uk to discover the best suggestions for every interest.
If you’re near 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!
Take on the National Trust’s 50 things challenge.
The National Trust’s 50 things to do before you’re 11¾ is a free checklist of outdoor activities – den building, rock pooling, tree climbing, stargazing – at National Trust sites across the country. None of it needs a hosepipe, and most sites have plenty of shade if you time your visit around the hottest part of the day.
Signal can be patchy at some countryside and coastal sites, so it’s worth downloading the checklist over WiFi before you set off.
Sign up for the library Summer Reading Challenge.
This year’s Summer Reading Challenge is ‘Read to the Beat’, running free at public libraries (and online) right now. Kids sign up, set their own reading goal, and pick up rewards along the way. It’s also a genuinely nice way to spend a stretch of a hot afternoon somewhere cool, free, and out of the sun.
Save the games for the evening.
Once the heat's died down in the evening, get out those traditional board games you enjoyed as a kid, or take a look at some of the best board games of 2026 if you fancy something new.
If you’re one of those families where board games end up in an argument, tablets and smartphones work just as well. Nowadays, there are plenty of apps and games to entertain kids of all ages, and none of them need you to leave the sofa.
Bring the cinema home.
Forget the TV – that’s been done before – why not project movies onto your wall once the sun’s gone down? You’ll find a great selection here, including the Philips NeoPix 130 Mini Projector, which is the perfect size for travelling. Or, if you’re looking for something a little fancier, why not try out the Wanbo Ultra Smart Full HD projector? It works in natural light and dark rooms, and gives you a huge screen size of up to 140-inches. Close the curtains, turn the lights off, pass the popcorn, and prepare to be blown away.
Pitch a tent for a cool, low-cost sleepover.
You don’t have to lug the tent far to enjoy a night under the stars – and with warm evenings forecast for a while yet, the back garden is a fine spot if your youngsters are new to camping. It comes with a few perks too, like nearby toilets and a fully stocked fridge. With the ground this dry nationally, it’s worth double-checking any local advice on campfires or disposable BBQs before lighting one.
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’.
Got a budget-friendly days out tip of your own, or a favourite spot that’s beating the heat this summer? Post a reply below and share it with the rest of the Community.
