Top ideas for kids’ summer activities & engineering fun #TheHolidayMakers

With summer holidays, parents thoughts turn not only to how to keep the children busy but also how we can keep their brains ticking over.

Finding activities that keep kids busy and their minds active over the summer isn’t always easy, so at our #TheHolidayMakers Twitter chat, sponsored by The Holiday Makers site, we discussed activities that will keep the kids entertained and stimulated, as well as opening their eyes to all the things that being an engineer means. On the Holiday Makers site, families can find summer activities and challenges with prizes to will get children making, doing and thinking. 

The chat was sponsored by The Year of Engineering, a government initiative created to inspire more young people to consider engineering careers by discovering the amazing engineering all around them, and highlighting the skills and interests that make children natural engineers.

 

What summer activities do your kids enjoy while still engaging their minds?

One activity my three will definitely be taking part in this summer is junk modelling – they could do it for hours! Here’s a robot they made last year #TheHolidayMakers pic.twitter.com/PC4V9fWo6m

— SamanthaRickelton (@NEFamilyFun) July 19, 2018

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For my son everything is train based at the moment. He’s been doing a model of Blackfriars station recently in his bedroom. Lots of engineering to model the platforms on a bridge @PennyBlogs

My girl is a great junk crafter but recently she has added in making zip lines for her little toys! @MSEDollyP

My daughter had THE BEST time at Scouts recently bridge building. Loved all the team work and science behind it #theholidaymakers pic.twitter.com/Ocfg9PMoM6

— Liz Burton (@missielizzieb) July 19, 2018

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We try to stockpile activities for rainy days during the months before the long hols. Freeform Lego building is a winner here — a different challenge to the ready made kits! @MSEDollyP

Now this looks like lots of fun! My son is in cubs and at a recent trip they made their own rafts and used them to get across water. My son is keen to try it at home (me not so much LOL!). It sounded like he had lots of fun @Tantrums2Smiles

Mine loved a raft-building experience – I am proud to say it floated although their steering left a lot to be desired @Chelseamamma

#TheHolidayMakers We’re prepared! I’ve bought these to start with. A great way to combine Lucas’ passion for Lego with some science/engineering 😍 pic.twitter.com/pMbErXvJAB

— Angela Paull (@angep1969) July 19, 2018

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I love making really complex sandcastles – little cities in their own right @Kateonthinice

#TheHolidayMakers This is what happens to our sandcastles (very quickly). I’m sure there’s a science lesson there somewhere though 😂😜😉 pic.twitter.com/7jHfWtn52N

— Angela Paull (@angep1969) July 19, 2018

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#TheHolidayMakers I’m going to involve the grandparents. My Dad is an enthusiastic scientist. Whilst he specializes in Chemistry he can turn his hand to Physics too. This was a early lesson in Momentum 😜 pic.twitter.com/8JWzq9iioN

— Angela Paull (@angep1969) July 19, 2018

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We’re about to go into production with bath bomb making – the chemist is wondering what I’m up to! @MissieLizzieB

We are lucky to have an allotment where we grow our own. The kids love to grow — most stuff never makes it to the kitchen! Especially tomatoes, peas, and fruit . Keeps them busy @Claireabella95

SLIME! We have been mastering and experimenting with our own slime recently too. Mixing it with different craft bits, adding foam and even different colours and scents! #TheHolidayMakers pic.twitter.com/481MJNy3WG

— Tantrums To Smiles (@Tantrums2Smiles) July 19, 2018

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Trying out The Holiday Makers Challenges

OOh I love these challenges on the #TheHolidayMakers site. I want to learn how to skewer a balloon without breaking it! @JHowze

Think my eldest would love the super science separator @Rootsandwings1

I think kids of any age will love these activities; how about a crisp catapult? @Britmums

The beauty of cardboard castles as you can use and repurpose things that you tend to throw away @carsandtractors

Want to get your kids excited about engineering? My son loved the chain reaction challenge from @YoEgovuk and #TheHolidayMakers, actually I had to tear him away from it?! There’s tons more activities and events for kids this summer, find out more–> https://t.co/HU55XoCCn7 #ad pic.twitter.com/nKbNmZ0fLz

— Kate Williams (@craftsonsea) July 19, 2018

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What are your favourite museums to visit?

Libraries and museums are great to visit over summer to keep their little minds working. Which do your kids like: immersing themselves in stories or exploring the dinosaur hall?

Mine are looking forward to the Mischief Makers Summer Reading Challenge this year @Chelseamamma

Our favourite has to be the We The Curious Museum in Bristol! So many opportunities for children to get hands on with science and engineering in a way that really appeals to them! The planetarium is pretty awesome too! #TheHolidayMakers pic.twitter.com/gsTFDn2CLj

— Tantrums To Smiles (@Tantrums2Smiles) July 19, 2018

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#TheHolidayMakers We love our local Science Centre in Winchester. So many awesome, hands on, things to do! Definitely on the list for holidays! pic.twitter.com/kHUcgqInE9

— Angela Paull (@angep1969) July 19, 2018

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In the North East we have Great Exhibition of the North running too and its been great learning about inventions that originated from the North @NEFamilyFun

We are off to see dinosaurs in the wild this weekend – kids can’t wait @Chelseamamma

Keep your children learning & growing this summer

Keep your children stimulated and engaged this summer with The Holiday Makers. The website has enough activities & challenges to keep them having fun and learning all summer long and if you take part in the Chain Reaction Challenge, you could win a sleepover at the Science Museum! More details here: yearofengineering.gov.uk/challenge/chain-reaction-challenge.