Family-Friendly Summer Holiday Activities
local things to do
and home activities
The Summer holidays are here, and if you have kids at home, then you’ll understand the struggle of trying to keep them happy during the exhaustingly long break. Cue ‘I’m hungry!’ and ‘I’m bored!’ every ten minutes. It can be exhausting trying to find things to do while you’re keeping up with everything else, so we thought we’d try to ease the pressure a bit.
To help you stay busy without the stress, we’ve put together a list of things that you can do locally in Bexley, Kent, as well as some fun activities to complete at home.
Local Places to Visit
Hall Place & Gardens, Bourne Road, DA5 1PQ
They offer a range of activities, such as Jambs Owls, a farmers' market, and more. You can take a walk around the gardens and stop for a drink or something to eat at the Riverside Café.
Red House, Bexleyheath, DA6 8JF
Once home to William Morris, the Red House has a beautiful garden with an orchard, garden snug, and courtyard. Inside you’ll discover etched graffiti, wall murals and unexpected treasures. A great day out for those who appreciate art and history.
Lesnes Abbey Woods, London SE2 0AX
There’s plenty to see and do, including a viewing platform of the London skyline, Monks’ garden, a play area, plus beautiful sculptures and woodlands. They also have different activities on.
Crossness Nature Reserve, Erith, DA18 4AP
Enjoy a walk along the reedbed-fringed boardwalk, hunt for mini beasts, see the wildlife pond, and try a spot of bird watching. Perfect for a calm and mindful day.
Danson Park, Bexleyheath, DA6 8HL
A place where you can walk around for hours and not be bored. It has a playground, splash park, lake, tennis courts, and Danson Stables - a popular pub and restaurant. There’s acres of land waiting to be explored.
If you’re looking to burn off a bit of energy while competing, try a game of bowling. It’s a fun way to play against friends and family in a lively environment. You can also enjoy the arcade machines, pool table, air hockey, and food and drink options.
Keep the kids active with a swimming or soft play session. A great way to keep fit while having fun!
And not forgetting us, of course. The Exchange is open Thursday to Saturday, and you can check our What’s On page to see what activities we’ll be running, or pop in for a coffee and a wander around. A short walk away, you can also visit Erith Pier and Riverside Gardens.
Reminder for parents…
It’s okay for kids to get bored. That’s when their imagination can really come to life. Not every day has to have a plan, so don’t feel guilty about having a slow day every now and then. You deserve a break too!
Things to Do at Home
If you’re looking to limit screen time, or simply can’t stand the noise of modern cartoons anymore (you and me both!), here are a few things to keep kids busy.
Dig out the board games and rediscover a childhood favourite
See what board games you have at home, or visit a local charity shop to see if you can pick some up. Snakes & Ladders, Guess Who, and Connect 4 are always popular, and it can be a nice bonding moment when you teach children how to play.
Learn a new skill together
Watch tutorials and teach yourself how to draw, play an instrument, or give baking a go. There is plenty of free content out there that can teach you how to do things, and if it’s a new skill for both you and your child, then what better way to learn than by doing it together?
Write and illustrate a short story
This can be really fun! Ask your child to draw some pictures of their favourite things, and life as they see it, and then write a short story together to accompany the images. A great keepsake to hold onto for years to come.
Create your own worksheets or download free ones
Ensure the skills your child has learned at school stay fresh. Make your own worksheets or download some free ones for some light learning in the comfort of their own home. Homework, but fun AND optional!
We hope you enjoy the Summer break! If you have any tips you’d like to share with us or other families, please leave a comment below.