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The summer holidays are almost here and if you are already wondering how you are going to fill six weeks without either going broke or losing your mind – you are in good company.

The truth is that some of the best summer days happen at home. No queuing, no overpriced car parks, no meltdowns in the gift shop. Just a bit of prep, a willingness to let things get messy, and a plan. Here are 15 genuinely free ideas that work across the 0-10 age range – including the one tool that has transformed our summer mornings.

Start With This: Make a Summer Boredom Jar

Before the holidays begin, sit down with your kids and write activity ideas on lolly sticks. Pop them in a jar somewhere visible. Every time someone says “I’m bored,” they pull out a stick and do whatever it says.

The reason this works is simple: children follow through on activities they chose themselves. It also completely removes the mental load from you. Make it in the first week and you will thank yourself for weeks afterwards.

For Babies and Young Toddlers

1. Sensory water play

Fill a washing-up bowl with an inch or two of water and add a few cups, spoons, and kitchen objects. Babies and toddlers will sit at this for a surprisingly long time. Pop it outside on a warm day and embrace the splashing. If you want something more structured, a dedicated water table is brilliant for this age and keeps them busy outdoors all summer.

2. Texture walk in the garden

Barefoot on grass, then patio, then soil. Simple, free, and brilliant for sensory development in babies and young toddlers.

3. Tupperware band

Empty containers, wooden spoons, and a lid or two. Noisy, yes. But genuinely entertaining for under-twos.

For Toddlers and Preschoolers

4. Outdoor painting on lining wallpaper

Tape a length of lining wallpaper to a fence or lay it on the patio and hand them the poster paints. The cleanup is a hose-down. The fun is enormous.

5. Pavement chalk art

A bag of outdoor chalk goes a long way. Draw roads for toy cars, hopscotch grids, life-size body outlines, or just let them go freehand. Washes away with the next rain.

6. Cardboard box city

Start collecting boxes now – cereal boxes, Amazon deliveries, anything. Give children tape, scissors, and felt tips and let them build. A box city, a rocket, a castle. It will take up a full morning.

7. Nature scavenger hunt

Write or draw a list of things to find in the garden or on a walk: something yellow, a smooth stone, a feather, a bug, a flower with five petals. Print a fresh version each time so it stays interesting.

8. Teddy bear picnic

Pack a blanket and lunch as though you are heading somewhere exciting, then lay it all out in the garden or living room. The ritual is everything. This works surprisingly well even on a grey day if you commit to it.

For Children Aged 5-10

9. Kitchen science

Bicarbonate of soda and vinegar is the classic, but there is plenty more: grow cress on a wet cotton wool pad, make butter by shaking double cream in a sealed jar, build a paper bridge and test how many coins it holds. These take five minutes to set up and spark genuine curiosity.

10. Shadow drawing

Go outside in the morning, trace each other’s shadows with chalk, then come back in the afternoon to see how far they have moved. Sneaks in a bit of science too.

11. Garden camping

Pitch a tent on the lawn and eat lunch inside it. Under-5s find this absolutely magical, and older kids will want to spend the whole afternoon in there. If you need a garden tent, this pop-up option is great for small gardens and goes up in seconds.

12. Paddling pool afternoon

Swimsuits on and let them loose. A paddling pool is one of those purchases that earns its keep every sunny day of the summer. Free to use once you have it, and children of all ages love it.

13. Make a summer bucket list together

In week one, sit down with everyone and let them suggest things they want to do this summer. Write it on a big piece of paper and stick it on the fridge. Tick things off as you go. Children love the sense of progress and it gives the whole summer a bit of shape.

14. Junk modelling challenge

Give older children a specific brief – build a car, build a house, build something that can hold water – and set a timer. Mess is half the point.

15. Start a summer journal

Give each child a cheap notebook and encourage them to draw or write about each day. Stick in photos, ticket stubs, pressed flowers. By September it becomes a keepsake they are genuinely proud of.

A Word on Routine

Six weeks without structure is tough for most children, even the ones who beg for no rules. A loose shape to the day – morning activity, lunch, quiet time, afternoon activity – makes everything calmer. Try to get outside at least once every day, even if the weather is not perfect.

For more ways to keep the summer manageable, see our free days out guide and rainy day activity ideas. And if the sunshine brings a heatwave, our guide to the best toys for toddlers in a heatwave is worth a read too. Watching every penny this summer? My roundup of the best baby freebies UK parents can claim is packed with free samples, packs and discounts worth grabbing.

FAQ

What can I do with a baby at home during the summer holidays?

Babies do not need structured activities – they need sensory experience and your presence. Water play, texture exploration, outdoor time on a blanket, and watching older children are all brilliant. Keep outings in the cooler parts of the day and protect skin carefully – our guide to the best mineral suncreams for babies covers everything you need to know.

How do I keep a toddler entertained without spending money?

Water, cardboard, chalk, and paint cover most mornings. Toddlers do not need expensive toys or outings – they need novelty and your involvement. Even just moving a familiar activity outside makes it feel new.

What age does the Summer Boredom Jar work for?

Best from around age 3 upwards, when children can read or recognise picture prompts. For younger toddlers, pull the stick and read it to them.

Is lining wallpaper safe for children to paint on?

Yes – standard lining wallpaper is unpasted and perfectly safe for children to use with washable poster paints. It is far cheaper than buying large art paper.

How do I stop screen time creeping up over summer?

Having a morning activity ready before they wake up is the single most effective strategy. If there is something to do when they come downstairs, the default to the TV never gets established in the first place.