After being cooped up in the classroom for six or so weeks, half term is welcome respite for children – a break from staring out of rain-streaked windows with sleepy eyes. Family time awaits, and we’ve put together a quick guide for some half-term inspiration.
It’s a great opportunity to spend some time together. From nestling together on your corner sofa to embracing the great outdoors, we’ve got you covered with ideas for all ages and weather conditions.
Venture into the great outdoors
If the sun’s out, you should be too. Take advantage of clearer skies and get back in touch with nature. The kids can burn off any built-up energy and you can enjoy some fresh air while seeking out those first signs of spring.
Take a look on a local map to discover somewhere new nearby – embark on a family walk through enchanting woodland, or take in the babbling sounds of rivers.
Regardless of weather, the National Trust is a great starting point, with their properties hosting plenty of family-oriented events across the country. For something closer to home, create a scavenger hunt in your garden or in a nearby park, or partake in a family bike ride.
Build a fort
If the weather isn’t as sunny as you’d hoped, staying indoors gives the perfect opportunity to stop and unwind.
A great way to keep the little ones busy – and create some cherished memories – is to build a fort in your living room using your household furnishings. The perfect furniture for such a task is a corner sofa, such as the Pemberton. The handy L-shape of the sofa creates a larger space to make a good-sized den for all the family.
Take apart your sofa cushions to pad out the flooring, then drape the sofa with sheets and blankets to secure your hideaway space. Prop up the edges with some chairs to lift the fort and then complete with all their favourite snacks and cuddly companions. Take a look at our article about enjoying a family night away from the TV for more inspiration.
Feed their taste for adventure
Get the family’s adrenaline pumping by heading to an activity centre, like Go Ape. Arguably the best-known adventure company in the UK, there’s an array of activities to get the pulse racing, such as swinging from the treetops, balancing high above the ground and zip-lining between platforms.
There’s plenty of fun to be had indoors when the weather turns. Bounce away the rainy blues at a trampoline park, dive into an indoor waterpark, or find your inner-racing driver at an indoor go-karting centre. Fill your kids’ boots with adventure so they have something exciting to tell their friends about when they go back to school.
Get creative
Getting stuck into some arts and crafts is a sure-fire way of keeping children’s minds active. You don’t even have to buy new materials. Instead, go full-Blue Peter and challenge them to create a masterpiece using items bound for the recycling, such as empty toilet rolls, lolly sticks and egg boxes, or get them to create an artsy collage from old magazines.
Alternatively, a good set of pencils – and an aim to draw a family portrait – never fails. Place yourselves on a corner sofa, like the Ashford, to make sure everyone has a view of each other. If you want some more ideas, read our blog on how to keep the kids entertained on a rainy day.
Stay local
When the kids are off school, there’s always an abundance of family-friendly events and activities happening in your local area. Check out what’s happening throughout the week on local websites – Time Out is great for London events, Leeds Inspired is full of arts-based events, Manchester’s tourist site has stuff for all ages and interests, and Visit Scotland is a great starting point for Edinburgh and other Scottish cities.
Let us know what you end up doing by tagging us in your pictures over on Instagram.
