For most of us with school aged children, today is the start of the Autumn half term. A day that should automatically signify fun, activities and precious time with the little ones, but in actual fact those fews days off actually involve a lot of forward planning.

The key for keeping my boys boredom at bay and avoiding them turning on each other is getting them out and about. Giving them something to look forward to each day, even if it is just a simple play date with friends.

Child Care

I feel incredibly grateful that my husband and I no longer need to worry about who’s looking after the children during the school holidays now I am lucky enough to work from home. For one it just means I can concentrate on all the fun stuff we’ll get to do together rather than asking myself “who’s looking after them today?” This wasn’t always the case though. I remember as soon as the term dates were issued for the school year we would have to plan in advance how we were going to juggle our work schedules, book days off and then rope in family members to help out on the days we couldn’t cover.

Again we felt SO lucky we could even call on our parents to help out as I know for some people this just isn’t an option due to proximity or even heaven forbid that our parents actually have a life and are genuinely busy themselves.

My Sister used to enrol my Nephew in a holiday club which he used to absolutely love going to. It was all the best parts of school. No learning just hanging out with friends. This can obviously be quite a pricey option but it certainly was a reliable choice and she could pick and choose how many days she would put him in for according to her budget and requirements.

Country Parks

We’re so lucky that we’ve got so many beautiful country parks on our doorstep and many are members of a fabulous country park car parking scheme that for a small annual fee you can display a permit in your car and park for free. Each country park is completely different and has lots of different activities to offer. The boys absolute favourite is the tree top adventure course with cargo nets & zip wires and Anabelle adores the play area there too, so for us it’s an absolute win, win.

I dare say when we venture to the country park we’ll also be getting a bit physical and dirty exploring too, so we’ll be popping on our wellies and going on a bear hunt! Not literally, but we do often recite this wonderful story whilst we’re on our adventures. ‘Squelch squirtch, squelch, squirtch’. I have probably totally ruin the boys street cred now and will be disowned, or a least until they are hungry again! I’m certain they only do it just to humour me now and because they absolutely adore their little Sister.

Football

There is nothing my boys love more than kicking a football about, be it at the local field or at the leisure centre and they have attended many a coaching day/week at our local Goals centre which are located all over the U.K. It’s the perfect place to have fun with some friends, doing what they love and learning new skills as well as a great childcare option. Obviously football isn’t the only sporting activity available (although don’t tell my boys that as football is their world) but it’s certainly worth looking into seeing if your child’s favourite activity has a similar scheme running during the half term.

Soft Play

There are hundreds of soft play areas up and down the country and we’re fortunate to have a newly furbished one near us that includes a lovely sensory room for babies, a separate toddler area with ball pits, Wendy houses and small slides and then a larger climbing area for the older children with astro slide, basket ball court, go karts, climbing wall and so much more. All three children can have hours of fun in there playing together, in fact when we go I love it too and become a kid again.

London

During the summer holidays we were brave enough to all venture to London to see the sights. I literally had palpitations during the whole train journey & tube commute until we reached Green Park when I began to calm down and think we’ve made it safe & sound, we’re all ok and that it was manageable. I think it was the worry of carrying Anabelle up and down the escalators and folding the stroller as well as being separated from the boys that fuelled my nerves but after such a wonderful day sight seeing we are all desperate to go back to visit the Natural History and Science Museum so if Daddy has remembered to book a day off work we will definitely be braving the big smoke again.

Mini Break

My Brother & Sister-in-law have recently got back from taking my Niece’s to Disneyland Paris for the week. Their term dates are slightly different to ours even though they are only 25 minutes up the road and I must confess I am a little green with envy and wished we’d been a bit more forward thinking & booked a mini break.

At Home

I know that the week won’t go by without us having a lazy day at home in our pj’s, watching films and dare I say it the boys playing on their computers. But I’m hoping I can entice them away from their screens long enough to recreate some of Lottie’s fabulous Easy Halloween Crafts For Kids. I certainly know Anabelle & I will adore getting our craft on.

And talking of Halloween I was actually recommended this adorable Pumpkin Hunt around these stunning gardens. You should definitely check out your local news for spooky events.

Basics

Because I’ve got three children all of varying age groups we do have to consider what type of activites will appeal to them all, and most of the time we’ll just stick to the basics of a visit to the park, bike rides or swimming (although I’ve never attempted this without Daddy there too, are you sensing I’m a bit of a worry wart Mummy!) which lets face it are always a big hit and doesn’t have to cost the earth. But I would LOVE to mix things up a bit and surprise them all with a new activity and this is where I’m hoping you lovely lot (which I’m now going to refer to as my fabulous Oracles) come into it as I know you’ll all have some fabulous suggestions up your sleeves and are a wealth of knowledge and wisdom 😉 What do your kiddies love doing? Are you up to anything fabulous? How do you cope with childcare during the holidays?

Images by Anna Clarke Photography.