Childcare in Summer Hols

What a lovely welcome to the forum, thank you everyone some good ideas, some are reminders to me of things that can work well in the garden and some brilliant new ones too. And a sense of really enjoying time with GChildren and making lovely memories, that’s important to focus on in the rush and hurry of life. 🩷

My son looked amazed when I said DGD (aged 2) had gone out all afternoon on a bus trip. "But your car is outside!"
She'd sit on my lap and we'd talk about the trees and the buildings and the colours of the cars... Sometimes I'd intended going somewhere, but we were having such a nice time, we'd take our journey a bit further. Ice cream or milk shake at McD's, then home.
And thanks to my bus pass, it cost nothing, and it was stress-free. Happy memories.

I agree with splashing around in the garden on hot days.
On not so fine days then yes, there should be free activities at local libraries and parks as well.

Why not take them visiting other friends and relatives too- just for an hour or so- my GD loves going to other people's homes and exploring their gardens! It is also more stimulating for the kids and the adults to have visitors.

Our local little library has something happening every day of the holidays for children. Most of it is crafting but there are some visits by animals and anothrr by a marvellous man who brings history to life. They are all free.

I presume other councils are similar but ours puts on lots of activities in the holidays often for free. Same for museums, art galleries, parks etc
I’m sure there are lots of ideas online for craft ideas (hopefully not too messy) also baking, making or decorating a pizza for lunchtime.
Have fun.

Small washing up bowl in the garden with water in and the plastic tea set to pour with the tea pot. Plant watering with tea pot. Bathing dollies and anything else cars etc in the water.

Clothes horse in the garden with a sheet over to make a den.

Obstacle course to go round the garden : under chairs over chairs, hopping from A to B. Using balled socks like a bean bag to throw into a bucket.

Old clean paint brushes (not art ones) and buckets of water to paint the house walls or paving stones.

Good luck.

are you close to a park or beach, these are always good for picnics and shell collecting on the beach. If you have a bus pass, and have a good bus service, a ride out is good as many children now a days are only used to travelling by car, and travel for under 5's is free. Many libraries hold summer activities as do many garden centres. whatever you do with them , enjoy and be prepared to be shattered but happy

Pray for sun. A tent in the garden, paddling pool etc. My GDs loved playing gymkhanas. They were the horses and we constructed, jumps and ways around. Went on for hours.