A busy parent’s guide to surviving the school holidays
Unplug, engage and embrace the great outdoors!
Dreading the school holidays… again?! Long days of juggling childcare, work calls and the inevitable chorus of…. ‘I’m bored!’. Finding a balance that keeps kids entertained, enriched and happy can feel like an uphill battle… but a little bit of time outdoors can make all the difference.
Why harness the power of outdoor adventure?
Escape from digital distractions. Phones, TVs and computers can be a busy parent's lifeline, but the negative effects of excessive screen time are well documented. Escaping outdoors provides kids with a break and gets them immersed in the real world instead.
Transform shy caterpillars into social butterflies. The great outdoors is nature’s classroom for children to hone their social skills. Whether playing in the park, engaging in team sports or exploring nature; time spent chatting and socialising boosts communications skills that your child will need in adulthood.
Power up physical health. Walking, jumping, running, swimming or even climbing trees – they’re all fantastic for physical health. Meeting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise becomes fun when wrapped in outdoor adventure!
Boost mental wellbeing. Nature… is nature’s stressbuster! Adventuring through forests or exploring parks helps kids switch off and focus on what’s right in front of them. When anxious or stressed, connecting to nature has a remarkable effect on wellbeing.
Our favourite outdoor activities to try with your kids
1. Den building. Venture to your local woods and put your skills to the test! See who can build the mightiest den or work together to create a woodland palace!
2. Beast hunt. Turn over logs and look up high to discover the wildlife hiding all around you. How many insects, birds and squirrels can you identify? Take a notepad to scribble your findings.
3. Nature collage. Take a walk and pick up natural materials such as leaves, twigs and seeds, (but leave the flowers for our pollinators!), take them home, and get messy with glue and paint to create a unique piece of art!
4. Wild Hide n’ Seek. Great for older kids - set a playing zone in a park, forest or field and… you know the rest!
Or…. The ultimate school holiday saviour!
PGL Kids’ Adventure Camps
PGL are the experts in outdoor adventure! With over 40 exciting activities, 12 unique centres and endless fun and excitement every school holiday! From an action-packed day camp, up to an all-out 7-night sleepover – you can leave the school holidays to the experts!
8–16-year-olds tackle awesome activities in the great outdoors - such as zipline, canoeing, archery and the famous giant swing. In between activities, the entertainment continues with games, competitions and social events to keep the fun going all the way to bedtime. Accommodation, meals and activities… it’s all included! For those looking for something even more extraordinary, PGL’s range of specialist TRAILBLAZE! Adventures including Pony Camps, Streetdance, Cooking, Netball (and more) will have them raring to go!
PGL’s small, age-specific groups makes it easy to make friends, build social skills and develop confidence, self-esteem and independence. Parents can relax knowing their children are in PGL’s safe hands and are thriving in a nurturing environment (they’ve been perfecting the PGL formula for over 65-years and are OFSTED, ABTA + BAPA accredited). And guess what? All centres in England accept childcare vouchers and tax-free childcare!
PGL Family Adventures
We know what you’re thinking… why should kids have all the fun?! Escape the daily grind with a PGL Family Adventure. Prioritise some quality family time, thrilling activities and memorable experiences. PGL’s two supercentres in Devon and Lincolnshire offer full-board family breaks with all accommodation, food, activities and entertainment included! Suitable for families with children aged 5-16 years.
