Last updated: 9 April 2024
5 ways to keep your kids busy this summer
Sun, fun and fundraising.
Looking for ways to keep your kids busy this summer? World Vision's Claire Bardell has some fresh ideas for you...
School holidays are always a daunting time, and it can be tricky to know how to keep your little ones occupied for weeks on end, especially if you’re looking to keep costs down and keep things contained to the house. Keeping your child entertained is a tough task, so getting creative is always a great way to keep excitement high and tantrums at bay.
Activities for your kids this summer
So, with that in mind, this article is sharing some ideas to keep your children entertained and busy during the strangest summer hols.
PLUS, options to turn your activities up a gear, give your kids a real sense of accomplishment and raise funds for more vulnerable children.
1. Learn a new game
Mancala is a strategy game, popular with children all around the world. All you need are small stones, beads or seeds. You can make the board by drawing it or digging small holes in the ground.
Learning a new skill like how to play a new game isn't just fun, it will also bring your child a sense of accomplishment and is a great activity to keep kids busy for hours on end. There are hundreds of board games and card games that are suitable for kids of different ages, including older children. Games like Dobble, Bananagrams, Monopoly Juniors and P for Pizza are all great activity ideas for kids and can be played anywhere and everywhere.
Another popular game is Mancala. A strategy game, popular with children all around the world. All you need are small stones, beads or seeds. You can make the board by drawing it or digging small holes in the ground.
Learn how to play Mancala here.
For younger children, download these games and puzzles for an afternoon of fun!
Fundraising idea: Why not organise a family game tournament? Encourage friends and family to do the same, with everyone making a small charity donation to take part.
2. 6 days, 6K, £6
World Vision’s Global 6K for Water, brings people together across nations to run or walk 6km and fundraise for water projects in more vulnerable communities.
Whether you choose to walk, run, jog, or even skate your way to 6K, you and many others will help make a difference in communities who do not have access to clean water, which is essential to vulnerable children and families. There are many ways you can take part, you can undertake 6k in one go, or split it up and enjoy sections with friends, family, or the children.
- Run, walk, scoot, push or cycle.
- Aim for 1K a day or do it all at once.
- Go around a local park, streets or at home.
Fundraising idea: Donate £6 to take part and choose if you want to fundraise too.
3. Cheer for chores!
Set daily household chores to keep the children busy, take a little off your plate and give the kids a sense of accomplishment. Offer to help out neighbours by washing cars, weeding gardens or other outdoor tasks.
Kids love feeling grown up, so getting them involved in chores that also help you out is a bonus, get them involved with the washing up and fill the sink up with warm water and dish soap, and make chores fun. Chores can be as simple as unloading the dishwasher or putting household items away but can really boost morale.
Fundraising idea: Use the children's challenge tracker to motivate the children – and build up donations from friends and family. Or ask neighbours for a small donation for jobs done.
4. Let’s get physical
Challenge your kids to do 100 star jumps, 5 laps of the garden, a 10-minute bike ride or a 2-minute plank every day. Kids love a challenge and adding a prize or a reward at the end will make it even more enticing.
Go further: Increase the number/time every couple of days.
Fundraising idea: Ask friends and family to sponsor the children, making a charity donation for every challenge they complete.
5. Ready, steady, bake
It’s time to fire-up the whisk and open that super-size bag of flour. Baking together with your children is fun, messy and yummy – plus it’s a great way to introduce them to the kitchen and cooking skills that will last a lifetime. Give your sweet treats a twist, by making rainbow cupcakes or cookies. Give your kids the job of rolling out the pastry with a rolling pin, lining the muffin tin or mixing the batter.
Share them with your neighbours, friends and wider family.
Fundraising idea: Hold a bake sale for friends and neighbours with all profits going to your favourite children’s charity (that’s World Vision UK by the way).
Discover more ways to fundraise
Whether you have children or not, fundraising for charity is a wonderful way to give back to those who need it the most. There are a selection of ways you can help World Vision, whether that is by sponsoring a child or donating to World Vision to help vulnerable children.
