Summer holidays mean weeks of keeping the kids entertained with fun, meaningful activities while also managing work, staying on budget, and, if you’re lucky, finding a moment to breathe. But what do you do when the inevitable cries of “I’m bored!” start to echo through the house?
Don’t worry – we’ve gathered some tried-and-tested tips from teachers, psychotherapists and mumfluencers to help you bust boredom and make the most of the August…
“Not every day needs to be an Instagram-worthy adventure. Children love simple, low-cost fun – from water fights with plastic cups to face painting, bubble-blowing, or DIY movie afternoons. Write down a list of go-to activities and slowly work through them.” Joseph Conway, BACP registered psychotherapist and mental health trainer at Vita Health Group
Let children plan their day
“Encouraging children to plan their own day is a simple way to reduce summer boredom. When kids decide how to spend their time, they feel more engaged and responsible. You can help them mix different activities like reading, drawing, playing outside, and even some light chores. This variety keeps their interest and helps them learn to manage time and make choices.” Sarah Jeffries, founder of Paediatric First Aid
“When children move from one structured activity to another – playdates, holiday lessons – they’re constantly meeting external expectations. This heightened state of alertness leaves little room for relaxation or free play, which are essential for healthy development. Leave pockets of space in the day where there’s nothing scheduled, nowhere to be, and nothing to do. This unstructured time is crucial for fostering imagination.” Julia Hodgetts, teacher at School Beyond Limitations
Create a boredom box
“Encourage independent play by creating a ‘boredom box’ stocked with safe household items like cardboard tubes, fabric scraps, crayons, and magazines to give children materials to build, draw, or invent games without needing step-by-step instructions. When children have the freedom to experiment in this way, they build problem-solving skills and resilience. This kind of play fosters self-confidence and teaches kids to entertain themselves without constant adult input.” Chris Sharman, founder of Kidztivity
Get outside and enjoy nature (Photo: Gus Scott)
“Getting outside is important, but don’t get bogged down in trying to come up with something original or convoluted. Outdoor activities do not have to be complicated. Organising a simple backyard bug hunt or nature scavenger hunt teaches observation and patience. Even cloud-watching can spark curiosity about the natural world. These activities promote physical movement, sensory exploration, and a connection to nature that benefits emotional wellbeing.” Chris Sharman
Create a snack station
“Place a basket within easy reach filled with ‘yes’ snacks – pre-approved options like fruit, healthy snack bars, and rice cakes. Kids can help themselves, and once the basket is empty, they know it’s time to wait until dinner. This approach encourages independence around hunger and helps prevent constant requests for snacks every 30 minutes.” Casey Major-Bunce, aka Major Mum Hacks, and author of ‘The Big Book of Major Mum Hacks’
“Start with pudding – why not? It’s an instant dopamine hit. And yes, they still eat their dinner afterwards. We’ve dined using toy spoons, salad tongs, and once, memorably, a ladle. The kids loved it, and we had a fun family meal together. Try serving dinner in a muffin tray and call it a tasting platter. It’s the same food, just rearranged. If it gets them to the table and smiling, that’s a win.” Casey Major-Bunce
Turn cleaning into a game
“I set a 10-minute timer, shout ‘Go!’, and watch them spring into action. They’re on a mission. Whoever tidies the most gets to choose a prize from the box – it’s just little bits from B&M or Poundland, wrapped in tissue paper. Stickers, stretchy toys, mini torches… it costs me £1 and saves endless nagging. I’m hoping it builds a good habit, too.” Casey Major-Bunce
“Pack full outfits in bags – pants, socks, tops, the whole lot. Kids just grab a bag and get dressed. Less arguing, fewer ‘Where are my shorts?’ moments. The best part? When laundry day comes, the whole outfit goes back in the bag, ready for next time.” Casey Major-Bunce
Grow a plant
“Children naturally want to shape the world around them, and growing something – no matter how small – is a simple, powerful way to connect with nature and learn how to care for it.
“Whether it’s a cress head in an eggshell or herbs in a recycled yoghurt pot, encourage your child to observe what they plant and talk with them about what they discover as it grows.
Share in their sense of wonder as they see things through fresh eyes, helping to nurture a love for the natural world and make spending time in nature a shared experience.” Emma Tolley, early years programme director for the Nature Connections Programme at The Eden Project
“Pitch a tent in the garden, roast marshmallows over a portable stove and stay up looking at the stars. It feels exciting for kids and costs next to nothing. Plus, never underestimate how much fun children find den building with sofas and a few sheets if it’s raining!” Lara Jarvis, family content creator
Screens are not the devil
“TV is not your enemy. On rainy days, you can watch a film together and make it fun by pretending you’re at the cinema with popcorn, tickets and trailers. Sometimes you might also simply need a break, and turning on Bluey for a bit will give you peace and quiet. Don’t feel guilty. You’re doing your best.” Casey Major-Bunce
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“Getting kids involved in simple cooking or baking projects is a great way to beat summer boredom. It’s hands-on, fun and teaches practical skills like measuring and following instructions.
“Plus, children get a sense of achievement when they see or taste what they’ve made. You don’t need fancy ingredients or complicated recipes. Making fruit salad, decorating biscuits or preparing a simple sandwich can keep them busy and interested.
“Cooking together also offers a chance to talk and bond, turning a boring afternoon into quality time. It’s an easy, low-cost way to keep kids entertained and learning during the summer.” Janea Kannett, founder of Mother and Kub
Go on a scavenger hunt
“Create a list of items commonly found in the garden or at a local park (for example, identifying specific leaves, rocks, or insects), and then ask your children to find them. Children can explore their environment, observe details, and research and document their findings through sketches or photographs. This keeps their minds active and encourages independent research and creativity.” Julia Hodgetts
“Let the kids help with the shopping list by walking to the shops together or setting a small treat budget. It turns a normal day into an activity they feel part of, even looking up a recipe they can cook for dinner, then getting them to buy the ingredients is a fun and practical way of keeping them entertained.” Lara Jarvis
Become a minipreneur
“Set up your own mini business and sell items to raise money for a local charity. Perhaps you could get crafty and design and make your own products, or, depending on the age of the child, you could set up a neighbourly gardening business – offer to mow lawns or wash cars to raise money. Creating a business plan and looking at what you want to achieve can help develop focus and useful skills for the future.” Julia Hodgetts
Music is both fun and educational (Photo: Gus Scott)
“Music offers children a powerful way to express themselves. Through songs, they can explore and process emotions, which is an important part of developing emotional intelligence and self-regulation. Sensory play can also help, as it stimulates the senses and has a calming effect, especially helpful when a child is feeling bored, anxious, or overwhelmed.
“A fun way to combine music and sensory play is by making homemade instruments together. Try turning pots and spoons into drums, filling paper cups with dried beans to create maracas, or using an empty tissue box and rubber bands to craft a simple guitar. You can even make sound tubes by filling a paper towel roll with rice or beads and sealing the ends with fabric or tape.
“Children will love both the creative process and the excitement of exploring the sounds they’ve made.” Clare Shaw, founder and music teacher at Mini Mozart
Explore other cultures
“Choose a different country each week and encourage your child to explore its culture through cooking, music and crafts. For example, if you choose Italy, you could ask your child to find out five things about Italian culture and include some drawings and notes, perhaps you could make a famous structure out of recycled items, or you could make pizza at home for tea, learn Italian phrases or listen to some Italian music. This encourages children to learn about the world and develops their curiosity.” Julia Hodgetts
“There are plenty of free yoga and meditation apps and videos online that you can try to help start the day peacefully with your children. Mindful colouring, exploring new walking routes with the dog, listening to calming music or creating a cosy ‘reading nook’ in a quiet corner can also be great ways to encourage relaxation. Use beanbags, cushions and blankets to make the space inviting, perfect for reading or writing a summer holiday journal.” Julia Hodgetts
Embrace the boredom
“One of the great aspects of boredom for young people is that it gives them the opportunity to sit with their feelings, work out what they are feeling and change what they are feeling. We tend to experience boredom when we’re doing something that is repetitive or monotonous and it’s really important to allow children to piece together what they can do to change how they feel.
“When there is too much scheduling for children, they may lose some element of creativity, whereas boredom can allow children the time and space to develop imaginative and creative play and resourcefulness.” Fiona Yassin, family psychotherapist, and founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic
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