The average UK family spends over £600 keeping children entertained during the summer holidays. Six weeks is a long time to keep children engaged, happy, and (relatively) sane — especially when the budget is tight. But here's the thing: some of the best summer holiday activities cost very little, and a little planning goes a very long way.
Here's our guide to a brilliant summer without breaking the bank.
Key Takeaways
- The best summer activities are free or near-free — parks, libraries, and kitchen science cost almost nothing
- A Summer Activity Binder set up at the start of the holidays can save you weeks of "I'm bored"
- Just 10–15 minutes of daily learning prevents the summer slide without it feeling like school
- Printable resources are the most cost-effective way to keep children busy and learning all summer
- On rainy days, our screen-free rainy day guide has you covered
1. Create a Summer Activity Binder
Why it works: having a ready-made selection of activities removes the daily "what shall we do?" decision and gives children ownership over their own entertainment.
One of the best investments you can make at the start of the holidays is a simple activity binder. Print off a mix of colouring pages, puzzles, word searches, and creative writing prompts, pop them in a folder, and let your child pick something whenever boredom strikes. It keeps little hands busy and costs pennies to put together — far less than a single trip to a soft play centre.
Our Kids Educational Activity Sheets are a brilliant starting point — 14 pages of mixed activities ready to print instantly, covering a range of ages and abilities.
2. Explore Free Days Out
Why it works: new environments spark curiosity and give children experiences that no screen or toy can replicate — and the UK has some of the best free family attractions in the world.
You don't need to spend a fortune on days out. Some of the best family attractions in the UK are completely free:
- The Natural History Museum, London — free entry, endlessly fascinating for children of all ages
- Local country parks and nature reserves — most are free and brilliant for den building, bug hunting, and picnics
- National Trust green spaces — many outdoor spaces are free to visit even without membership
- Local beaches and canals — rock pooling, paddling, and exploring cost nothing
The Visit England free attractions guide has a comprehensive list to help you plan further afield.
3. Set Up a Colouring Station
Why it works: colouring supports focus, fine motor skills, and emotional regulation — and it's one of the few activities children will return to independently, again and again.
A dedicated colouring corner — even just a small table with pencils and printed pages — gives children a calm, creative activity they can return to throughout the day. The key is keeping it fresh: swap in new pages regularly so it never feels stale.
Download our Free Animal Colouring Book to get started at no cost at all — then browse our full range of themed packs when you're ready for more.
4. Run a Summer Reading Challenge
Why it works: children who read regularly over summer return to school significantly ahead of those who don't — and the library's built-in reward system does the motivating for you.
Most local libraries run a free Summer Reading Challenge throughout July and August, with rewards and incentives built in. Sign your child up on day one of the holidays and let the library do the heavy lifting. Pair it with a simple printable reading tracker at home to keep things fun and give children a visual record of their progress.
5. Organise a Garden or Kitchen Science Day
Why it works: hands-on experiments build scientific curiosity and observation skills — and children remember things they've done far better than things they've been told.
You don't need expensive kits. Here are three experiments you can do right now with things from your kitchen:
- Baking soda volcano — add vinegar to a mound of bicarbonate of soda in a tray. Add food colouring for extra drama. Takes 5 minutes to set up and never gets old.
- Walking water — fill glasses with coloured water and connect them with folded kitchen roll. Watch the colours travel and mix over 30 minutes.
- Cress heads — fill an eggshell with damp cotton wool and cress seeds, draw a face on the shell, and watch "hair" grow over a week.
Print off a simple observation worksheet to record findings and you've got a proper little scientist on your hands.
6. Host a Neighbourhood Sports Day
Why it works: physical activity, friendly competition, and social play are all brilliant for children's wellbeing — and it costs absolutely nothing.
Rope in a few neighbours or friends and organise a mini sports day in the garden or local park. Egg and spoon, sack races, a simple obstacle course, and a long jump marked out with chalk — none of it costs a thing. Make it feel special with a simple printed programme and hand-drawn certificates for every participant. Children love the recognition, and it gives the day a real sense of occasion.
7. Keep Learning Ticking Over (Without It Feeling Like School)
Why it works: research shows children can lose up to two months of learning over summer — but just 10–15 minutes a day is enough to prevent it, without the pressure of formal schoolwork.
The trick is keeping it short, fun, and low-pressure. A quick maths game over breakfast, a creative writing prompt after lunch, or a science worksheet on a quiet afternoon — none of it needs to feel like school. Printable worksheets are far cheaper than summer tutoring and can be done anywhere.
Our Kids Learning Bundle covers Pre-School to Year 4 across Maths, English, and Science — everything you need for the whole summer in one download.
8. Create a Summer Bucket List Together
Why it works: giving children ownership of the plan builds excitement, reduces the daily "what are we doing today?" and creates a shared sense of adventure.
Sit down together at the start of the holidays and write a summer bucket list. Include a mix of free activities and small treats. Here's a starter list to get you going:
- Have a picnic in the park
- Build a den indoors and sleep in it
- Do a science experiment
- Visit somewhere you've never been before
- Bake something from scratch
- Write and perform a play
- Complete the library Summer Reading Challenge
- Have a sports day with friends
- Fill a whole colouring book
- Watch the sunrise or sunset together
Tick things off as you go — it builds excitement and gives the summer a real sense of purpose and adventure.
Your Summer Printable Toolkit
The easiest way to have a brilliant, budget-friendly summer is to be prepared. Stock up on printable resources now and you'll always have something fresh and engaging ready to go:
- 📚 Kids Educational Activity Sheets — 14 pages of mixed activities to keep little ones busy all summer
- 🧠 Kids Learning Bundle | Pre-School to Year 4 — gentle summer learning across Maths, English, and Science
- 🎨 4-in-1 Kids Colouring Book Collection — hours of creative entertainment across four themed books
- 🐾 Free Animal Colouring Book — grab this freebie and get started today at no cost
All instant download PDFs — print at home and you're ready to go in minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep kids entertained in the summer holidays without spending lots of money?
The key is variety and a little preparation. A mix of outdoor activities (parks, nature walks, sports), creative activities (colouring, crafts, baking), and light learning (printable worksheets and activity sheets) keeps children engaged without a big spend. Setting up a Summer Activity Binder at the start of the holidays — and a bucket list to work through together — makes a huge difference.
What are the best free activities for kids in the summer?
Free activities children love include visiting local parks and nature reserves, joining the library's Summer Reading Challenge, hosting a garden sports day, doing kitchen science experiments, and working through printable activity sheets and colouring pages at home. The Natural History Museum and many National Trust outdoor spaces are also free to visit.
How can I stop my child's learning from slipping over summer?
Short daily sessions of 10–15 minutes using printable worksheets are the most effective and affordable approach. Keep it relaxed and pressure-free, focus on the subjects your child finds trickiest, and reward effort rather than results. Our Kids Learning Bundle is designed specifically for this kind of gentle summer revision.
How do I download and print printables from Reggie & Co?
Once you complete your purchase, you'll receive an email with a download link straight away — no waiting, no shipping. Save the PDF to your device and print at home on standard A4 paper, or take it to a local print shop. If you have any trouble, just get in touch and we'll help straight away.
Can I print the same printable more than once?
Yes — that's one of the biggest advantages of digital printables. Print as many times as you like, perfect if you have more than one child or your child wants to redo an activity. You can also laminate frequently used sheets and use dry-wipe markers for zero-waste, reusable practice.
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