Five ways to make the most of summer holidays with children

Neely Dahlia, a content creator and mother of three, said she published a six-week calendar with different activities for her children during the holidays.

They plan to check out all the parks in the area as part of their “summer bucket list,” and she prioritizes lower costs during the summer.

“I feel like there’s this huge pressure now to have Instagram-worthy holidays,” she says.

“What’s wrong with just staying in the UK, staying up until the sun goes down, riding your bike, just going to the river, like I did? I want the kids to feel nostalgic for summer.”

Dahlia explains that there are many things during the holidays that don’t break the bank, like free kids’ meals at the bar and discounts on local travel.

And there are often deals at bowling alleys and movie theaters, she says, where her family enjoys a movie night at home every Friday.

“They each have a bowl of popcorn and treats and we move the couches into two rows so it’s like a movie theater.”

James Gray, Communications and Advocacy Manager at Library Connection, said the summer holidays also make libraries “come alive”.

He said libraries across the UK hold summer reading challenges, encouraging children to read more in a fun format, and many host events such as arts and crafts, exhibitions and creative workshops, all for free.