While the summer holidays are undoubtedly a magical time for the kids, it can sometimes be difficult, not to mention costly and tiring, to come up with fun activities for them to do each and every day.
Luckily, we have some great tips and ideas for how to keep the little ones occupied over the coming weeks, whether you wish to enjoy a spot of sport in the sunshine or some rainy day cookery lessons:
- Cooking truly helps kids learn responsibility and safe habits in the kitchen from a young age, and, most importantly, it’s fun and encourages healthy eating habits. Get together and try your hand at simple yet tasty recipes such as home-made burgers, moreish flapjacks or crunchy popcorn. Feeling a little bit more confident? Have a go at baking your own bread and be creative. Crusty loaves lend themselves well to all manner of fillings, from cheese and herbs to bananas with chocolate chips. Or create your own spaghetti from scratch and then smother it with a nutritious tomato sauce and some meatballs.
- Gardening is the perfect way for kids to learn exactly where their food comes from and how to grow fruit and vegetables from scratch that they will one day see on their plate. The easiest vegetables to grow include carrots, green beans and spinach. Once you’ve mastered them why not try moving on to something a little more challenging such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage? Gardening is also a great way to encourage wildlife into the garden. Attract beautiful butterflies and busy bees by scattering your borders with honeysuckle, marigold and foxglove seeds.
- Get the kids signed up to a youth sports club. The options are endless, from martial arts to tennis, cricket and hockey. You could even invite your child’s friends round for an impromptu garden ‘Olympics’ with games including running, football, piggy-in-the-middle and hula hooping contests. Incentivise mini athletes by giving out chocolate coins for medals and home-made, fruity ice lollies to cool them down afterwards.
- Dancing is a wonderful form of exercise and there are so many types to try! Why not get your kids to sample the delights of ballet or the rigours of street dance? There really is something for everyone and all of them help hone fitness levels, rhythm and co-ordination. Let your kids practice with friends at home by holding a dance off, giving them the perfect excuse to play their favourite songs, while showcasing their new-found skills.
- Try trading in a holiday abroad for a ‘staycation’. There nothing quite like hiking through British fields that are teaming with wildlife, going bird watching in beautiful marshlands and splashing around coastal rock pools before eating fish and chips on a seafront promenade to heighten your senses and get your cheeks glowing, as well as teaching your kids about nature and its role in their native country.
- Finally, get your son or daughter to keep a diary of all their favourite summer activities and recipes. This will help to improve their writing skills and become a wonderful source of memories for them in future years, undoubtedly the greatest gift of all.
Throughout the summer at Red Hot, we’re offering kids aged 16 and under the chance to dine for half price. That’s from as little as £3.99 for limitless pizza, pasta, curry, salads, desserts and ice cream (prices vary according to restaurant, day and time). This amazing offer is only redeemable via redhot-worldbuffet.com/summer