Whilst the kids (and teachers) might be delighted at the thought of six weeks of unbridled bliss stretching ahead of them, it might be a different story for you as a parent 

Siblings fighting, thinking of things to do to occupy little minds when it’s raining and dealing with boredom are bound to take their toll.

Here’s 10 ways to help you survive the summer… 

1. Have a plan - but don’t stress if you don’t stick to it. Check the weather forecast each week and plan outdoor vs indoor activities around that. Listen out for day trips and kid’s clubs that you may be able to join in on. 
2. Ask the kids if there’s things they’d like to do – making them feel involved will help to keep them interested. You’ll probably get a few crazy ideas like a day trip to the moon, but young minds can be incredibly creative and they could provide you with a valuable resource of ideas. 
3. Buddy up with other families – you can join them on days out, share the childcare (giving the each other well-earned days off) and steal their fun ideas to use on your own family. Having another adult to speak to can often prove very useful!
4. Get creative – especially if the weather is looking dreary and the kids are already bored of their new computer game. Make different craft packs that contain different activities that can be done inside and outside. Then do a lucky dip! You could include colouring in or painting materials, or a magnifying glass and jam jar to catch and study bugs before letting them go again.
5. Limit screen time – talking of computers and tablets, we all know how addictive they can be, especially for kids. To avoid arguments and meltdowns, set a limit on how much time can be spent in front of a screen from the beginning of the holidays. Two hours a day for example – it manages expectations and still leaves time for activities together as a family. 
6. Make meal times, fun times – getting the younger members of the family involved with meal prep, cooking and baking can be surprisingly fun. Whether creating unusual pizza toppings or baking cupcakes, all being in the kitchen together can help while away some time with tasty treats at the end of it. 
7. Try something you’ve never done before – Geocaching, where you use an app to find buried ‘treasure’ is a fun way to spend a day. There’s plenty of local geocaching websites to choose from. Or learn how to forage or to recognise different trees or the call of different birds. 
8. Go old school – learn how to knit together or how to fish for sticklebacks in a local river. Learning new things (or reviving old skills) will help to keep everyone engaged and happy.
9. Tire them out – a day of simple fun in fresh air at the local park, or playground is enough to send anyone into an early slumber!
10. Don’t forget yourself – if childcare arrangements allow, make sure you do some things that give you pleasure too.