Category: Seasonal

Parents often ask “How do I keep my kids busy in the summer?” And that’s not as straightforward of an answer as you might initially think. Today, we’ll look at how to evaluate different activities and balance them against interests, available time and funds to arrive at the best ideas for keeping kids busy in the summer as it relates to your unique family.

How do I keep my kids busy in the summer?

It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. You can’t just grab some picnic hampers and a blanket, head to your nearest park, and have it tick all the boxes (well, not everyone can). What if your child has a deadly bee sting allergy or struggles to interact with other children in a free-play environment? The answer to keeping kids busy in the summer is a bit more nuanced than grab-and-go. Here are the things you should consider, based on a more formal family activity scale. Get a pen and pad. Scribble down an answer to these questions for any activity you’re thinking about this summer:

1. Is this activity something they will enjoy?
2. Does it fit into our budget?
3. Will it fit into our schedule?
4. Is it convenient enough to get to?
5. Is it novel or have they done this before?
6. Are we free from any other commitments at that time?
7. Will they meet new people or can they bring friends?
8. Is it enriching academically, spiritually, mentally, socially or physically?
9. Are there any dietary, medical or mental health issues to consider?
10. Is it a long-term commitment or a one-off adventure?
11. Will there be an opportunity for self-guided play or exploration?
12. Do they need prerequisite skills to participate?

The more positives you get and the fewer negatives, the more aligned this activity is for your family. You could even assign a scale of 1-5, using the numerical score at the end to choose from several equally good options, if that helps.

Ideas for keeping kids busy in the summer

The choices are endless from visiting a museum to unwrapping gift hampers for an afternoon snack. Using the questions above, you might want to think about activities that meet most of these conditions but also make use of the good weather. These will largely be outdoor activities like building a fort out of cardboard boxes, swimming, camping, riding bicycles, table tennis, skating, frisbee, tag, fishing, planting flowers, flying a kite, football, boating, visiting a zoo, going skateboarding, trying a rope swing and other more active or out-of-doors ideas like that. 

Remember to budget and plan for unexpected costs and needs like:

• Petrol to and from
• Snacks or lunch while out
• Time for toilet breaks
• Sun, wind and bug protection
• Parking fees
• Pillows and blankets for afternoon naps
• Diapers and/or a change of clothes in case there’s a mess
• Any medicines and basic first aid supplies like plasters
• Water
• Books and toys for the journey
• Pram or tikes bikes

With just a little thought and forward planning, you’ll find keeping kids busy in the summer isn’t that hard. Just apply these tips and you’ll have a big list of relevant, entertaining and enriching things they can do throughout the summer break.

If you’re thinking “What should I do over the summer?” We have a great list of top summer activities for 2024 that you can sink your teeth into. From hampers in the park to thrill-seeking, heart-pumping rides, you’ll definitely find something amazing to explore below:

Go to the beach

Grab your swim trunks and one-pieces, it’s time to get drippy. According to Conde Nast, there are dozens of beautiful beaches in the UK and with a bit of sun cream and one of our picnic hampers, you can have the time of your life. Just don’t forget a beach brolly if you tend to burn…

Explore nature

The UK is blessed with a wide range of outdoor environments from the breathtaking white cliffs of Dover to the impressive Aira Force waterfall. If food hampers in a field aren’t your speed, why not check out a zoo + theme park in Flamingo Land, Yorkshire? You’ll be outside, getting in touch with nature by interacting with a tonne of animal exhibits. Plus, you can break it up with exhilarating theme park rides.

Attend a festival

If you love music and being outdoors, check out some of the amazing musical festivals on offer for 2024. You’ll have heard of the insanely huge Glastonbury Festival but Leeds Festival, Black Deer and Wide Awake are pretty big too and also worth a look. You’re bound to find something to suit your tastes and budget.

Find a pool

Who doesn’t like doing a few laps in the afternoon? And with this cool tool from Swimming.org, you can find a local pool near you in just a few clicks. It has a lot of information about family activities, the types of pools on offer and the depth etc so you can choose the right one for you. 

Go camping

Camping and caravanning are some of the great British pastimes. According to Campsites, “Camping is a fantastic way to spend a holiday: it’s fun, easy, and cheap and kids love it. Camping gets you into the outdoors, active and appreciating nature. You see the stars before you go to sleep and you wake up to the sound of birds.” Doesn’t that sound lovely? Why not use their tool to plan your next adventure?

Get working out

The summer is a great time to try a new fitness routine. Pilates, yoga, boot camps, boxing; however you choose to keep fit and healthy, it’s all valid. You could take a class at your local village hall or try out some outdoor gym equipment in a nearby park. Need more inspiration? We love these fun ideas from the British Heart Foundation.

Try watersports

Canal boats, kayaks, paddleboards, pedal boats; however you get out on the water, boating and watersports are a popular pastime. If you want something more active, try venues like WakeUp Docklands. Or, for a more relaxed adventure, a canal boat holiday might suit.

What should I do over the summer?

If you’ve made it this far and you’re still asking “What should I do over the summer?” we encourage you to make a list of all the things you enjoy. It might be the outdoors, food, drink, art, music, games or something else. Then search for those activities as keywords in Google or on UK-specific activity lists like this one. That will pull up even more relevant ideas that you can evaluate against your schedule, location and budget.

This year, we’ve got a wealth of holidays in just a few weeks with Easter running into the Early May Bank Holiday just a couple weeks later on May 6th, 2024 and then followed by Spring Bank Holiday on May 27th. That’s a lot of time to entertain yourself and your kids in such a short space. So, we’ve compiled a list of indoor and outdoor activity ideas for the bank holidays that aren’t too dear and will put a smile on everyone’s face. So, from budget-friendly walks to slightly more spendy theme parks, here are some great family activities for the May bank holidays.

Trail holiday weekend

Bundle up the whole family and make a road trip of it. Take them to a scenic country house somewhere and take one of the country’s most picturesque walks. Whether you like high hills & moorland, beachfront strolls or rolling countryside; the UK has tonnes to offer. And tour companies provide complete end-to-end planning so all you need to do is show up. Take this Helmsley Short Break, it’s perfect for a bank holiday weekend. It’s ideal for older children and includes a visit to the National Centre for Birds of Prey, rambling walks in the woodland ravine of Riccal Dal, a 900-year-old castle, tea in the Walled Gardens and much more.

Diggerland

There’s probably a location near you with parks in Kent, Devon, Durham and Yorkshire. With 20 different rides and loads of activities, try your hand at real JCBs and Komatsu excavators, enjoy the views on the Skyshuttle or bump around on Go-Karts. It’s fun for everyone over 4 years old and also has all the park amenities you’d expect like food, drink and souvenirs. There are even experience days available for adults! If you like the idea of playing with construction tools, diggerland is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Royal site visit

From Windsor Castle to Buckingham Palace, there are interesting Royal Family properties to explore and enjoy throughout the year. Windsor Castle is probably the most iconic holding that’s open during bank holidays this Spring, but if you are in Edinburgh, the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the end of the Royal Mile is worth a look. You may find the food and drink inside these locations a bit overpriced, so why not pack a picnic and take it to a nearby site like Snow Hill in Windsor? Bring one of our big red wine hampers and make the most of the crisp spring air while still having treats everyone in the family can enjoy.

Make something together

Nothing brings families together like a bit of crafting. Get the paper, paints and scissors out and try some of these fun crafts. We love the pipe cleaner flowers and think they add a little homemade charm to any room. Crafting is one of those great family activities for the May bank holidays that can cost as little or as much as you like. Try foraging in nature to get the base supplies and then choose the most appropriate craft around what you find. That’s good for the mind and the body!

For tasty summer food they’ll love to get as a gift, look no further than this curated list. Our gift hampers are convenient and easy choices that suit all tastes and ship right to their door. Now, getting the perfect gift, even at the tail end of summer is super easy. Order before noon to get next-day shipping too. So, before it’s well and truly fall, let’s dig into our list of affordable summer gift hampers for 2023.

White Wine | Chenin Blanc in Pine Gift Box

Crisp, cool and refreshing! This white wine gift box is an amazing and budget-friendly choice at just 25 quid. It’s beautifully presented in a pine gift box. They can use it to keep the wine cool during transport for a summer picnic or repurpose it to store their favourite vintage. And what doesn’t say summer but a zesty, fresh white wine? This South African vintage from Cullinan View is just perfect for any summer occasion and makes a great present for family and colleagues alike.

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Golden Choc Hamper

Next up, bright and glittering like the sun, this is one of our most lovely affordable summer gift hampers. The hand-tied wicker basket is finished with gold. It is the perfect present for leaving drinks or celebrating a life milestone. The Duc d’O Belgian Chocolate Flaked Truffles, Dark Chocolate Coated Brazils, Baronie Belgian Chocolate Orange Sticks, Buchanan’s Milk Chocolate Caramels and Borders Chocolate Ginger Biscuits are all summer favourites that your recipient will not be able to put down.

Continental Beer Basket

On a warm summer’s day, who doesn’t reach for an ice-cold beer? And at under £35, this gift basket is a steal. It’s one of our most affordable summer gift hampers with a drinks pairing and it’s full of exquisite treats. The Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italian Lager and Pilsner Urquell Czech Lager are stars of the show, for sure. But the Brown Bag Crisps, Captain Tiptoes Dry Roasted Peanuts, Fruit Cake, I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds, Butter Shortbread, Joe & Seph’s Popcorn and Buchanan’s Chocolate Dipped Fudge don’t disappoint either. It’s all wrapped up tight and placed in a woven basket for easy transport to the park, backyard barbeque or other summer occasions.

Muffins, Cookies & Flapjack Selection

Lastly, the perennial favourite, our Muffins, Cookies & Flapjack Selection is a bestseller for its tasty display of baked goods and low, low prices. They’ll be spoiled for choice with Borders Dark Chocolate Ginger Biscuits, Grandma Wilds Butterscotch Cookies, 3 Double Chocolate Muffins, 2 Blueberry Muffins, 2 Cherry Muffins, Original Syrup & Oats Flapjack, Cranberry Burst Flapjack and a Honey Baked Flapjack wrapped up in a woven tray basket. When they’ve finished, the basket is a lovely way to store fruit or other baked goods at home or in the office. 

Not quite what you’re looking for? We have many other affordable summer gift hampers under £40 including non-food options like a pamper hamper and all-white baby gift set when you click here. Plus our helpful team is always standing by with recommendations and guidance should you need us.

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A selection of light bites that anyone will love; here are our favourite summer food hampers so you can celebrate the last bit of warmth in style. While this summer hasn’t been the hottest, that’s no reason not to ring in the fall officially. For our full list of tasty food hampers, click here, but without further ado, let’s showcase our winning summer flavours!

Luxury Vegan Food Hamper

First, let’s kick off with one for the veggies and vegans. You won’t feel left out with this wicker basket that’s packed full of flavour. Nothing is too rich, but everything is totally moreish. You’ll love digging into the Olives Et Al Red Pepper Stuffed Olives, Willie’s Cacao Peruvian Hazelnut Raisin Chocolate and Peters Yard Smoked Chilli Sourdough Flatbreads with Cottage Delight Strawberry Extra Jam. Or maybe share the Brown Bag Crisps Lightly Salted Gourmet Crisps, I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds or Captain Tiptoes Dry Roasted Peanuts on a countryside walk with your mates. When you’re done, the basket is completely reusable for less waste!

Premium Beer Box

Next, it’s the undeniable allure of an ice-cold beer on a warm summer’s day. With the Premium Beer Box, you’re elevating your food hampers with a drink pairing. The Peroni Nastro Azzurro Italian Lager, Pilsner Urquell Czech Lager and San Miguel Spanish Lager are all lovely options that work well with the treats inside. Try them with The Wooden Spoon Wholegrain Mustard & Spitfire Ale spread, Luxury Fruit Cake, Olives Et Al Kiln Roasted Harissa Nuts tumbled with spices, Sicilian Lemon Butter Cookies, Baronie Milk Chocolate with Crispy Pieces or Hand Made Olive & Sesame Savoury Mini Breadsticks. Every marriage of beer and snack will keep you rooted in summer vibes until the very last bite.

Pimms & Sicilian Lemonade Basket

However, no summer food hampers list could ever be complete without Pimms. This picnic favourite meets our food hampers expertise in the most delightful way. Pack a pitcher full of ice and fruits, spread out the blanket and enjoy a range of treats. It’s got Luscombe Organic Sicilian Lemonade, Elizabeth Shaw Raisin & Hazelnut Biscuits, Brown Bag Crisps Lightly Salted, Olive & Sesame Savoury Mini Breadsticks, I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds and Buchanan’s Chocolate Eclairs for you to munch on peacefully as you catch the last few rays of the summer sun. And, when you’re done, everything packs back up into the magnetic closure box for easy removal from the green space.

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Delight

Lastly, our favourite summer food hampers just aren’t finished without something a little chocolatey. The Chocolate Orange Chunks, Buchanan’s Chocolate Eclairs, Elizabeth Shaw Raisin & Hazelnut Biscuits, Walkers Milk Turkish Delights and Chocolate Coated Brazils will tantalise any chocoholic. And that’s not all that’s in this box of surprises! When you’re done, the pretty purple-striped woven basket is ideal for storing fruit or hand towels beautifully for a more eco-friendly option for summer snacking.

Want something specific? Talk to our helpful team. We can help you find the best summer food hamper for any outing.

Looking for great hampers to get mum and dad this season? While the weather might not be hot right now, our deals on amazing gift hampers for parents of all tastes are. We hand-finish our baskets and ship our gift hampers UK-wide. This includes next-day delivery when ordered before 11 am and tracked for your peace of mind. That way you know your mum or dad will get their gift hampers on time. (And they’ll be packaged with care.) So, if you’re shopping for gift hampers for parents this summer, look no further than these best-selling hampers, UK!

Gourmet Treats | Luxury Wine & Food Hamper

Want a little bit of everything? The Gourmet Treats Luxury Wine & Food Hamper is a decadent experience they’re sure to enjoy. The Luis Felipe Edwards Lot 18 Merlot from the Rapel Valley in Chile and the Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc of South Africa are paired with a selection of treats. They’ll snack on Cottage Delight Dipping Crackers with Hot Pepper, Duc d’O Belgian Chocolate Flaked Truffles, Captain Tiptoes Dry Roasted Nuts, Peters Yard Smoked Chilli Sourdough Flatbread, Buchanan’s Chocolate Raspberry Caramels, Olives Et Al Red Pepper Stuffed Olives, Pineapple & Papaya in Syrup, Cottage Delight Duck & Red Pepper Pate, a Lindt Excellence Chilli Intense chocolate bar and so much more. Plus, when they are all done, the whitewashed wicker basket can be repurposed as household storage.

Cookies & Cake Tower

The cookies and cake tower is one of our most affordable bestsellers. It comes with a range of treats for mum and dad. The great price and large selection with fast delivery make them great last-minute gift hampers, UK! Inside are a boatload of goodies! First, they’ll explore Grandma Wilds Butterscotch Cookies and then maybe the Sicilian Lemon Butter Cookies. Next, it’s on to the Honey and Sesame Biscuit and an Original Syrup & Oats Flapjack. Finally, they can finish off with the Baronie Belgian Milk Chocolate Caramel Pralines. (And that’s not all that’s inside!) Plus, the uniquely-shaped boxes make amazing reusable wrapping for the future too.

Great British Tower

If your parents are patriotic, these are incredible gift hampers, UK! Loaded to the brim with tasty treats like Peters Yard Fig & Spelt Sourdough Crackers, Cottage Delight The Cheese Maker’s Pickle and The Wooden Spoon Grapefruit & Lime Marmalade There’s also Spicy Tomato Chutney, Buttermilk Caramel & Seasalt Fudge, Buchanan’s Chocolate Caramels, I Love Snacks Smoked Almonds and more. It’s a festive presentation that’s hand-tied with red, silver and blue ribbon. The Great British Tower is perfect for a bank holiday weekend treat. Or it makes a great birthday gift for the more-traditional parent in your life.

Champagne & Gourmet Food Basket with Lanson

This decadent handmade wicker basket with a carry handle is filled to the brim with extravagances your parents will love. One of our flagship champagne hampers, UK – this feast includes Lanson Black Label Champagne. We pair it with Duc d’O Belgian Chocolate Flaked Truffles, Italian Crostini Dipping Crackers with Rosemary and Cottage Delight Duck, Pepper & Olive Pâté. Next comes Olives Et Al Kiln Roasted Cajun Spiced Nuts, Odysea Alexandria Olives in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Dark Chocolate Mint Sticks with Pure Peppermint Filling and much more. Overall, they’ll love exploring each taste sensation for an unforgettable snacking experience. https://cedet.unm.edu.ar/

Not found the ideal summer gift hampers for parents? Shop the complete range here.

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