School’s out! And while having the little ones at home can be a lot of fun, filling six whole weeks with activities that keep them occupied come rain or shine (and without excessive screentime or the need to re-mortgage the house) is no mean feat. After so many scuppered family holidays, event cancellations and closures over the past two years, there’s a collective buzz across the country making 2022 feel like the best summer ever – and it’s only just getting started.

If you’re on a mission to make this school holiday your kids’ most memorable yet, discover our checklist below of things to do including limited-time-only events, old favourites, and some very-welcome free options, too. Parents –1, Screentime – 0.

Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew

Want to get your kids out in nature but bored of the local park? Kew Gardens is the perfect outdoor escape and feast for the senses. Breathe in the fresh air while you discover the 50,000 living plants, wilderness, and woodlands the UNESCO heritage site has to offer. There’s an interactive children’s garden where the little ones can run, jump, climb and discover all the elements a plant needs to grow. Want extra ‘best parent ever’ points? Prep a ‘Garden Bingo’ game for the kids to tick off as they roam around with a prize for the quickest explorer.
 
 

Tennis for Free, Countrywide

If you have active littles who benefit from running some of their energy out, Tennis for Free could be your best friend this summer. The charity runs inclusive free tennis lessons for kids of all ages by fully trained professional coaches in over 120 public parks all over the country. The two-hour weekly sessions are for mixed ability groups with the aim to make summer sports accessible for all. Wimbledon, here they come!
 
 

Aqua Parks, Countrywide

If recent temperatures are anything to go by, its set to be a long, sizzling summer which means there is only one place to be – in the water! Many parks in the UK are opening their splash areas for free or small fees, meaning the kids can run, jump, slip and slide through the fountains and jets until their hearts are content. Just make sure you are re-applying the SPF regularly (good luck tearing them away from the fun for 5 minutes!).
 
 

ODEON Kids’ Screenings, Countrywide

A trip to the cinema is everyone’s favourite rainy-day activity but once you add that must-have bucket of popcorn, snacks and supersize drink your cheap day out can get a little pricey. ODEON Kids screenings run every day in the summer holidays, so your little movie lovers can discover their new favourite film. The best part? Grown-ups pay kids prices for these showings, so the whole family can enjoy the film for less.
 

Strawberry picking, Countrywide

Make eating their 5 a day a tad more fun with a trip to your local strawberry fields. Strawberries are in season from May-September meaning the summer holidays is the perfect time to go foraging for the fresh, juicy fruit. Independent little ones will love being set free in the fields to fill their baskets with fruit they’ve picked themselves and if you’re really feeling energised afterwards, you could even turn your harvest into a delicious jam, cake or fruit salad when you get home.
 

 

Something Magical with Disney on Stage, London

You’d be hard pushed to find a spot in London that feels as magical as Covent Garden on any day of the year, but when you add Disney into the mix you’re on to a firm favourite. This summer, the iconic hotspot is celebrating some favourite Disney productions including Frozen, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Mary Poppins via interactive pop-ups, magical showcases and an enchanting trail through the grounds.
 
 

Go Ape, Countrywide

Challenge your adrenaline junkie to a thrill in the treetops with the action-packed outdoor adventure, Go Ape. The littlest ones can tackle tree-to-tree crossings, zip wires and have fun on the forest floor or trampolines whilst older children with a need for speed can take on the taller trees and Tarzan swings. An epic day out for the entire family, this is one to add to the core memories.
 
 

Natural History Museum, London

The iconic Natural History Museum in London’s Kensington is a summer holiday staple that is awe-inspiring for all ages. Your mini Attenborough will love the wildlife collections and ocean exploration, and if you have a big dino fans on your hands, visiting Dippy the Dinosaur is a huge tick off the bucket list.
 
 

Warner Bros. Studio Tour – The Making of Harry Potter, Watford

A way to make this summer holiday the most magical one yet? Actual magic. This immersive studio tour is a spell bounding visit for the entire family and Harry Potter fans of all ages. New for summer

2022 is Professor Sprouts greenhouse, where you can step into the home of exotic, weird and wonderful plants and see how the Mandrakes and Magical creatures are bought to life. Prepare to be seriously blown away.

 
 

Lee Valley Regional Park, London to Hertfordshire

The River Lea stretches all the way from the Thames at East India Dock Basin to Ware in Hertfordshire, taking in Queen Elizabeth Park on its route, which makes it the perfect place to walk, walk and keep on walking. White water rafting, boat hire and horse riding are available at various spots along the way and the landscape is brimming with wildlife throughout. Feed the ducks, take a long stroll through the rose gardens and admire everything this nature hub has to offer. They’ll sleep well after this one!
 
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