Five ways to make the most of the summer holidays with kids

With the six-week summer holidays underway, parents in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland face the challenge of finding exciting yet affordable activities for children. While Scotland's break has already begun, the focus for many is on making the most of the coming weeks.

Mags Rivett, director at the Family Holiday Charity, suggests that holidays don't always need to be abroad. She highlights the benefits of UK-based trips, emphasizing that the social aspect can significantly aid children's communication skill development. Rivett points to destinations like Skegness as examples of accessible and beneficial family getaways.

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Lots of kids have never really had the opportunity to meet people outside of their own community. But if you go somewhere that's got social facilities, it's a really important opportunity.

Samantha Thomas, creator of Budget Mum UK, advises prioritizing the quality time spent with children over the amount of money spent on outings. She recommends establishing a budget first to manage expectations and reduce stress. Thomas believes that cherished memories often stem from simple activities like baking together, having a picnic in the park, or building a den at home.

Tasneem Abdur-Rashid, an author and mother of two, shares Thomas's sentiment, aiming to alleviate the self-imposed pressure on parents to constantly provide elaborate activities. Both experts suggest that focusing on budget-friendly, simple moments can lead to the most treasured family memories during the summer break.

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Children don't need a six-week programme of expensive activities. Some of the memories that they'll treasure most will come from simple things, like baking together or a picnic in the park, or building a den in the living room.