It’s mid-way through the summer holidays and I thought now would be the ideal time to share some ideas for games that parents and kids can play together, whatever the weather. It’s been a really changeable few days here, with scorching hot sunshine, then strong winds followed by heavy rain – so who knows that the weather is going to do next? No matter what the forecast throws at us, here are some fun activities you can enjoy with your little ones this summer…
IN WINDY WEATHER
- Collect fallen leaves, petals and grasses on a wildlife walk
- Spot shapes in the clouds as they move across the sky
- Blow a dandelion clock and watch the seeds get whisked away on the wind
There’s really only one activity option for windy days, isn’t there? FLYING A KITE! It’s still one of my most favourite things to do and it’s definitely something that adults and kids can enjoy together. In fact, little ones will probably need a helping hand to launch the kite in the first place, so it’s certainly a two-person activity. I love watching kites dancing across the sky and it encourages youngsters to get outside to enjoy the great outdoors, even when the weather isn’t at its best. Fresh air and and a bit running back-and-forth has got to be a good thing for kids during the school holidays, right??
If the blustery weather is keeping you indoors, there’s nothing better than a spot of crafting to keep both adults and teens entertained during the summer holidays. It’s possible to buy easy craft kits online from creative experts such as .Ar:ti|sans, which contain everything you need to sew a couple of leather projects of your own. Teenagers could sew their own desk tidy or pencil pot, ready for back-to-school in September and parents can make handy card wallets or plant hangers for the home. It’s great to sit down together and do something creative; and at least it’ll get them off their phones for a few hours while you’re sheltering from the howling winds!
ON SUNNY DAYS
- Build a big sandcastle together at the beach
- Stay in the shade while enjoying a picnic in the park
- Go for a rambling walk through the cool woods
- Play group games like rounders or football
There’s really no stopping you when the weather is nice during the summer holidays, but sometimes it can get a bit too hot, can’t it? As long as you stay out of the blazing hot midday sun, wear a hat, keep covered up and put on plenty of sunscreen you can enjoy some outdoor sports, like kicking a ball around the park during a picnic, or playing Frisbee on the beach. Any game that gets you and your children running around and having fun is a great way to spend your summer days together – just remember to stay hydrated!
ON RAINY DAYS
- Play classic card games
- Make a summer holiday scrapbook
- Build a den indoors
- Bake a treat together
It’s inevitable that some summer days will be rainy and there may not be as many indoor activities available this year to entertain your kids in wet weather. So why not get out a game that you can all play together as a family at home? Personally, I prefer wooden games to board games with plastic pieces, so perhaps this Balance the Baker game would be suitable for your family. Its suitable for ages 3+ and can even be played by just one person on their own, and it involved stacking wooden baked good onto a wobbly baker until it topples over – oops!
If you would usually go bowling on your summer break but have found out that your fave bowling alley has closed down (yes, this has happened to me – what will I do on rainy days when I go for our yearly seaside break this year?) you could try a table-top bowling game. It’s travel-sized so it can be popped in your suitcase to play during your UK break with the family and it can be enjoyed by children aged 3+, teens, parents and grandparents. It’ll certainly help to while away those hours on a rainy day.
Let me know what other activities you recommend for rainy days, windy weather and sunny summer holidays with the kids – I’d love to hear your ideas for games in the comments below.
PIN IT FOR LATER
Some items in this blog post have been gifted to me and the pink links indicate a gifted product, affiliate link or information source. All thoughts and opinions in this post are based on my own experience and I am not responsible for your experience 🙂
