AD | Collaborative post
It’s one of the busiest times for parents, but summer holiday activities can be both educational and enjoyable for children. Here are 5 activities to try out this summer with the advice from this independent college in Berkshire.
A visit to the beach
Beach trips are always fun and invigorating for children, especially when it’s sunny and filled with ice cream, but it’s also an exciting way of testing your child’s skills. Bring along a bucket and spade so that they can build sand castles, dig up sand and play in the water. Football or tennis are also great games to take along to the beach that’ll test their coordination and quick thinking skills.
An educational walk through the wetlands
Wetlands or other nature reserves are ways where children can see wildlife in the flesh and learn about their impact on the local environment. Local nature reserves show how important it is for children to be aware of issues that can develop in the future, such as climate change, loss of habitats for animals and what wildlife does to benefit humans.
Role play games
Games where children have to take on a different persona is an entirely new challenge where they have to navigate quick decisions and critical thinking. Murder mystery games are ideal for this, where a group of people take on different roles in order to work out who the “murderer” is in the game. Children have to work together to figure out which of their friends is the culprit by looking for clues, interviewing and investigating the scene of the “crime”.
Group activities through an organisation
Your child might be a member of the local Scouts, Brownies or Guides groups, or any of the other child groups used to strengthen their life skills. Normally they host a range of different activities that are designed to target a child’s personal development. Camping, cooking and group-led competitions are examples of events hosted by social groups each summer to get families involved in the fun.
Going on a mountain hike
So long as it’s not too intense for the little ones, a hike is a way of connecting with nature, having one-on-one time with your child and also learning how to prioritise time and energy. Ask your child to pack their bag the day before full of treats and drinks to keep them going throughout the day and let them lead by showing them the map and working together to reach a central point. Days like these can give your child a huge amount of independence as you work towards a goal together.