With temperatures soaring past 30°C across the UK, keeping children entertained during the summer school holidays takes on a whole new challenge. When it is baking hot outside, traditional summer outings like sun-drenched playground visits can quickly lead to overheated, overwhelmed, and tired kids.
Whether you are caring for energetic primary school children or teenagers who prefer to stay indoors, here are some fun, refreshing, and budget-friendly activities to help your foster family thrive during the heatwave.
Garden Water Play (Without the Hosepipe!)
With hosepipe bans across much of the UK, sprinklers and paddling pools are off the table. But you can still turn the garden into a splash zone without using gallons of water or annoying your water company.
- DIY Sponge Water Bombs: Cut cheap car-washing sponges into strips and tie them tightly together in the middle with a hair band to make soft, reusable “water bombs”. Fill a single bucket with cold water and let them go to town. They hold tons of water, leave no plastic balloon rubbish behind, and even teenagers will join in.
- The Ice Bucket Relay: Set up a bucket of cold water at one end of the lawn and an empty bottle at the other. Give the kids a plastic cup with a tiny hole poked in the bottom (or make them balance the cup on their head). They have to race to fill the bottle. It gets everyone soaked, burns off energy, and uses less than a single watering can.
- Tarp and Bucket Slide: If you have an old tarpaulin or thick plastic sheet, lay it on the grass, tip a bucket of water with a squirt of washing-up liquid over it, and you have an instant slip-and-slide that uses a fraction of the water a hosepipe sprinkler would
Head Somewhere with Air Conditioning
When the midday sun gets a bit much, getting out of the house into a cool building is a great way to break up the day.
- Your Local Library: Libraries across the UK run the Summer Reading Challenge every year. They are free, nicely air-conditioned, and give kids a quiet space to pick out books at their own pace.
- Cheap Cinema Trips: Most cinema chains run discounted family tickets on summer mornings and early afternoons. Sitting in a dark, cool cinema with an ice-cold drink is a lovely way to escape the afternoon heat.
- Local Museums: Many local museums are free to enter and have plenty of interactive areas for children. They are quiet, cool, and give everyone a welcome break from the sun.
Cool Indoor Crafts and Easy Treats
If it is just too hot to step outside in the afternoon, keep hands and minds busy with a few cool activities in the living room.
- Ice Painting: Fill an ice tray with water, add a drop of food colouring to each slot, and pop a lolly stick in before freezing. Once frozen, kids can use the melting ice pops to paint colourful pictures on paper.
- Homemade Fruit Lollies: Get the kids involved in making their own frozen treats. Blend up some berries, bananas, and yoghurt, pour the mix into lolly moulds, and put them in the freezer. It is a quick, healthy snack they will love making themselves.
Find Some Shade in the Woods
If the kids need to run around, skip the open park and head to a local forest or woodland trail instead. Trees provide plenty of shade, keeping the path much cooler than open grass or pavements.
- Woodland Scavenger Hunt: Make a quick list of things to spot, like pinecones, interesting leaves, or bug hotels.
- Stick to the Cooler Hours: If you are planning an outdoor walk, try going early in the morning before 10:00 AM or later in the afternoon when the sun starts to drop.
Simple Heatwave Tips for Carers
- Keep Cold Drinks Ready: Put a big jug of water in the fridge with fresh slices of strawberry, cucumber, or mint to encourage everyone to drink throughout the day.
- Chilled Sunscreen: Pop your sun cream tubes in the fridge. Putting on cool lotion feels lovely on a hot day and makes getting ready to go out much easier.
- Take It Easy: Extreme heat makes everyone a bit cranky, especially children who are still getting used to a new routine or a break from school. Do not worry about doing too much, keep things relaxed, and enjoy the quiet moments together.
How are you keeping cool this summer? Share your favourite heatwave tips with our fostering community on social media!
