19 New Experiences to Try This School Holiday

If you’re looking for new things to try with kids this school holiday, then you’ve come to the right place. Move over another boring holiday and make way for building memories and confidence with an injection of fun. Time to come out of hibernation, put down the gadgets, and discover some new experiences. Check out our list of 19 new ideas for this school holiday. Which will you try?

1. Score a birdie at footgolf

Golf is out but the new kid on the block is footgolf. Footgolf courses have been springing up around the country in the last few years so you’re sure to have one not far away. Search for your nearest course here. You don’t need anything special, just a pair of trainers (no studs!) and a desire for some fun. A great way to burn off some energy.

2. Let them go wild with bush craft

Summer is the ideal time to get out and discover the British woodland. Many managed woodlands offer child-orientated bush craft days where the kids will do all sorts from den-building to cooking their own damper bread.

3. Put them behind the wheel with a driving experience

If your kids are bit older, over-10, and are moaning about holiday boredom, then put them ahead of their mates by signing up for a young driver experience. A chance to get behind the wheel of a real car will be sure to banish the boredom. Admiral is just one of the many providers to choose from.

4. Head to the slopes with skiing

It doesn't have to be snowing to enjoy winter sports so head to your nearest dry ski slope.  If your kids aren’t up for the challenge of two planks stuck on their feet then many ski slopes offer tubing or sledging experiences.

5. Get creative with origami

For a way to focus their minds away from screen time, grab some paper and let them create origami models. There are heaps of brilliant origami ideas here.

6. Go hunting for tadpoles

A classic experience of childhood which we seem to have forgotten is to go hunting for tadpoles. Make this a new thing to try with your kids and head down to your nearest pond to get hunting. This is the perfect time of year to start looking – try shallow, shady ponds for the greatest chance of success.

7. Challenge them with orienteering

If your kids love a challenge, and you need to get them out in the fresh air burning off some energy, then have a go at orienteering. Check out British Orienteering for places you can have a go this school holiday.

8. Make your own movie with Lego®

When you’re struggling to get them away from the screens you may need to be creative. Fool them into using their screens more productively by challenging them to make a stop-motion Lego® movie.

9. Hunt for hidden treasure with geocaching

It’s free, it’s fun, and it will get you discovering areas on your front doorstep which you didn’t know existed. Geocaching involves searching for treasure troves of various different types. Take along spare party bag fillers as a rule is if you take something you leave something, but the real fun is in the hunt.

10. Go old school with a bus journey

We’re used to packing them in the car but in doing so we’ve forgotten the joy of the journey. Make the journey itself the new experience with a ride on a bus. The kids will love it!

11. Take to new heights by trying diving

Let them channel their inner Tom Daley and have a go at diving at your nearest pool with boards. Suddenly even the most fearless will find that it is a challenge. It’ll boost their confidence and be a new experience to boot.

12. Let’s go fly a kite

Summer holidays are the perfect time for kite flying. The weather can be a little blustery yet it’s not so cold. Nonetheless, head somewhere exposed, and blow away the cobwebs with this exhilarating activity.

13. Get tracking in your local area

Besides geocaching, another way to experience your local area with a different twist is to get out as a family and have a go at a Treasure Trails trail. You’re sure to find one near you, and they are a great way of getting the whole family having fun together.

14. Skim a stone and wow your friends

Another retro childhood feat that will be a new experience for your kids this school holiday is skimming stones. Teach them the right technique and they’ll be the envy of the playground. Another one to teach is grass trumpets. Show them how to have fun without ready-made toys!

15. Raise a butterfly

Take learning out of the classroom and let your children experience something totally new by raising their own butterfly. You can buy ready-made butterfly homes and the kids will love checking in daily before releasing their winged friend into the wild.

16. Get messy and creative with papier-mâché

Term time rarely allows the chance to take on longer-term crafty projects. The Easter holidays are a great time to take several days adding layers to your papier-mâché creation. A great way to re-use the plastic inserts from Easter egg packaging too!

17. Visit a board game café and say goodbye to boredom

Playing board games at home is great but if you really want to get their interest back then head to a board game café where you’ll find plenty of new games to try with kids. You’ll be able to take your pick from a huge library and be served some much-needed coffee as well.

18. Have a go at a new extra-curricular activity

The school holidays see lots of regular extra-curricular providers offering taster sessions for their activity. This is a great chance for you to have a break while letting your kids see if they like something, without the huge expense of a whole term’s fees. Gymnastics, drama, dance, judo and tennis are just some of the common contenders offering these holiday sessions.

19. Make elephant toothpaste and make them giggle

Home science can leave lasting impressions of fun while you also shoe-horn in a bit of learning. Learn how to make elephant toothpaste here  and maybe do it in the garden!

So give one or more of these ideas a go and your kids will go back to school raving about the time they had and not simply how much chocolate they consumed.

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