The Sorted Dad

Simple wins for modern family life — money, mindset, home and more.

33 Low-Cost Ways to Keep Kids Entertained Over the Summer Holidays (UK Edition)

Running out of ideas already? Here are 33 research-backed, low-cost and screen-light ways to keep kids happy, active and entertained all summer in the UK.

The Sorted Dad
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Let’s face it: keeping kids entertained for six whole weeks can feel like a full-time job (minus the salary).

But you don’t need to splash cash on daily attractions or give in to non-stop screens. With a little planning, you can keep your kids active, curious and happy all summer — without losing your mind (or your wallet).

Here are 33 smart, low-cost and parent-approved activities for UK families. Most are backed by child development research and encourage creativity, movement, or connection.

🚴‍♂️ Outdoor Energy Burners

  1. Nature scavenger hunt in your local park or garden
  2. Bike or scooter trails — look up traffic-free paths near you (Sustrans UK is a great resource)
  3. Back garden obstacle course with cones, buckets, chalk and imagination
  4. Mini garden Olympics — egg-and-spoon, three-legged races, etc.
  5. Bug hotel building using sticks, bricks and pinecones (RSPB has a guide)
  6. Geocaching — a real-world treasure hunt using a free app
  7. Early morning nature walks (bonus: wildlife is more active then)

💼 Learning That Feels Like Play

  1. Kitchen science experiments — volcanoes, slime, floating eggs
  2. DIY weather station with a rain gauge, thermometer and wind sock
  3. Plant a sunflower race and measure progress each week
  4. Make a time capsule to bury or hide until next summer
  5. Simple stop-motion videos using toys and a phone camera
  6. Design a board game based on your family’s routines or jokes
  7. Create a nature journal with leaves, pressed flowers, drawings and facts

🏡 Easy Indoor Wins (for Rainy Days)

  1. Indoor camping with torches, tents or sheets
  2. Cardboard box city — supermarkets often have free boxes
  3. Paper aeroplane races — tweak designs for distance or tricks
  4. Make-your-own puppets and host a home theatre
  5. Treasure hunt with clues hidden around the house
  6. Story dice game — roll objects/characters and build a tale together
  7. Build a time tunnel with chairs and blankets; travel to ‘dinosaurs’ or ‘space’

🌧️ Water-Based Fun (Supervised)

  1. Water balloon dodgeball (use reusable balloons to cut waste)
  2. Sponge relay races — transfer water between buckets using sponges
  3. Make a DIY car wash for bikes, scooters, or ride-ons
  4. Paddling pool beach day at home with towels, snacks and shells
  5. Frozen toy excavation — freeze small toys in blocks of ice and ‘excavate’ with warm water

🌳 Connection and Calm

  1. Make a memory jar — kids write down one great moment each day
  2. Guided kids yoga via Cosmic Kids or books
  3. Gratitude drawing — draw 3 things they’re thankful for each week
  4. Picnic in a new park — even a 15-minute drive can feel like an adventure
  5. Phone-free hour challenge for the whole family
  6. Read-aloud club — pick a book series and read a chapter together daily
  7. ‘Yes Day’ (within reason) — kids get to choose what to do (with ground rules)

🔹 Bonus Tips for Sanity & Structure

  • Create a loose routine (mornings for movement, afternoons for chill)
  • Prep themed weeks — Space Week, Nature Week, Time Travel, etc.
  • Use a whiteboard or wall chart to plan out activities visually
  • Mix solo time with family time so everyone gets a break
  • Involve your kids in the planning to build anticipation

😊 You Don’t Need to Be a Cruise Director

Remember: kids don’t need 5-star entertainment every day. They need connection, movement, novelty and rest.

Even just one or two new things a day can make the holidays feel full.

Let go of perfection. Let them get bored now and then. That’s where imagination kicks in.

And if all else fails? Pack a bag of snacks, sunscreen, a football and go find your nearest field.

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