Things to do in the summer holidays
Are you looking for ways to keep your children busy this summer without spending a fortune?
Here are some ideas for free and fun things to do over the holidays.
Go exploring
Looking for things to do with the family? The Love Exploring app puts the power of discovery in your hands by providing a range of quiz trails and guided tours in your area that are fun to do and free to use.
Download the ‘Love Exploring’ app to play for free. If you live in or near Cardiff you can explore the city’s history and nature trails or augmented reality Dinosaur Safari, Tree Fairies, Mini Beasts and more!
It is all free to use, but it does use Augmented Reality so may not work on all mobile phones. Search for the Love Exploring app where you usually download your apps and check out the compatibility guide.
Picnic in the park
When the sun is shining, what could be better than packing a picnic and taking a trip to your local park.
You could even venture further afield. Cardiff boasts several beautiful parks and gardens perfect for a family outing. There’s Bute Park behind the famous castle, Sophia Gardens in the heart of the city and Roath Park with its boating lake, swans, ducks and cafe. It’s perfect for a walk, a bike ride, or simply relaxing by the water.
In Merthyr Tydfil, Cyfarthfa Park is a sprawling green space perfect for a family day out. In Newcastle Emlyn the King George V Playing Fields is a great outdoor space for all the community. Lota Park in Fishguard has had loads of new play equipment in recent years making it a great place for younger children while older children will enjoy the skatepark at Kronberg Community Park in Aberystwyth.
In North Wales you can find great walks at places like Loggerheads Country Park near Mold, and Greenfield Valley and Wepre Park in Flintshire. Eirias Park in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, is set over 50 acres and features outdoor spaces along with indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities.
Try the summer reading challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge encourages children to keep reading during the summer holidays, so they are ready for a great start to the new term. The challenge allows children to set a reading goal and collect rewards for reading anything they enjoy. Children can sign up at their local library or online, and it’s FREE to take part.
This year’s Challenge started in July and is called Marvellous Makers and it’s all about creativity! From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone.
Hit the beach
There are more than 50 award-winning beaches in Wales, and hundreds more around the coastline. Did you know that Wales was the first country in the world to have a walking trail the whole way around its coast, the 870 miles long Wales Coast Path, which takes walkers past many beaches.
Some of the best beaches in the south are Porthcawl with its shops, cafes, and a funfair on the promenade; Southerndown Beach with its dramatic cliffs and rock pools or Ogmore Beach for also sand dunes to climb and plenty of space to run around.
In the West you could visit Mwnt with its dramatic cliffs and an old church overlooking the golden sand or Poppit Sands, a wide sandy beach backed by dunes.
In North Wales, Llandudno’s North Shore beach is one of many attractions at the seaside resort, including its pier and the Great Orme. Further along the coast, Llanddwyn Island is one of the highlights of a trip to the Newborough Forest and Beach area of Anglesey.
Get back to nature
In Wales we’re blessed with beautiful countryside, making it a great place to get outdoors and explore.
Some popular places to visit include:
Ynyslas National Nature Reserve near Aberystwyth. The beach is a great place to spot wildlife, such as birds, seals, and dolphins. There are also plenty of rock pools to explore at low tide.
Parc Slip Nature Reserve, Bridgend. This nature reserve is a great place for a family walk. There are trails through woodland and meadows, and a pond where you can spot wildlife.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Forest Visitor Centre, near Aberystwyth. Known for its red kite feeding, the visitor centre is a great place to learn about the history and wildlife of the forest. There are walking trails around the forest, and the visitor centre has a cafe and a playground.
The North Wales Wildlife Trust website has a list of Nature Reserves in North Wales, including many in Wrexham, Flintshire, Conwy and Denbighshire.
The Wildife Trust of South & West Wales lists lots of nature reserves, so you can find one near you.
Go for a bike ride
Biking is another fun way to explore the outdoors. If you don’t have bikes, you can usually rent them from a local bike shop. In Cardiff the charity Pedal Power has a range of bikes for hire including adapted and e-bikes from their base in Pontcanna and Cardiff Bay.
Rainy day play
When it’s too wet to go outside, bring the fun into your living room. Build a den or fort with the kids using blankets, pillows, chairs, or anything else you have around the house. Or let your kids write and perform their own play. They can use costumes, props, and whatever else they need to create their masterpiece.
Volunteer with the family
Keep Wales Tidy works with local communities to help protect the environment – and you could get involved with their work too. Volunteering opportunities include borrowing kit from one of their litter picking hubs to help clean up your local area or joining a community group near you.
