Summer vacations: 10 creative and fun ways to keep your child off screens, stay active

It’s that time of year again when your children are likely to be home for over a month. While it brings joy, it also comes with its fair share of challenges, like keeping their energy positively channelled and their hands off gadgets and mobile phones. If the usual board games and cartoons have lost their appeal, it’s time to think outside the (game) box.

Here are 10 genius summer activities to keep your children entertained, screen-free, while supporting their physical health, imagination, confidence, social skills, and emotional wellbeing:

• Yoga time: Children have energy to burn, but not everything needs to be fast-paced. Yoga is a calm yet powerful way to build flexibility, strength, and focus. It also introduces mindfulness and breath control, tools that help with emotional regulation and concentration.

• Skating fun: Skating is a brilliant mix of fun and fitness. It improves balance and coordination, builds confidence, and gets children outdoors and moving without them even realising they’re exercising.

• Splash play: Swimming is the perfect summer activity, it cools them down, improves stamina and lung capacity, and teaches vital water safety skills. It’s also a great way to make new friends and burn off energy in a healthy way.

• Nature walk: A simple walk in the park or woods can spark curiosity and a love for the environment. It also encourages observation skills, boosts mental wellbeing, and offers a much-needed break from screens.

• Retro games: Bring back the classics. Games like hopscotch are more than just nostalgic fun. They support motor skills, number recognition, and balance, while getting kids laughing and jumping outdoors.

• Picnic planning: Get your child involved in planning and packing a picnic. It teaches responsibility, teamwork, and basic organisation skills. Plus, it’s a lovely way to enjoy family time with food, sunshine, and fresh air.

• Kitchen skills: Invite your child into the kitchen for age-appropriate tasks. Cooking boosts maths, reading, and fine motor skills, plus encourages independence, creativity, and respect for what ends up on their plate.

• Paint session: Give them paints, paper, and freedom. Painting promotes self-expression and helps children explore emotions, colours, and storytelling, all while developing fine motor control in a relaxed setting.

• Story time: Writing stories, journalling, or researching a topic they love, these activities ignite imagination and boost vocabulary. Writing helps children express themselves clearly and builds confidence in their own voice.

• Paper folding: Origami is a quiet, satisfying hobby that improves hand-eye coordination, patience, and focus. It also introduces children to basic geometry and spatial awareness.