If there was an official children’s song for the summer holidays I think the lyrics might go like this: “I’m thoroughly bored, I’ve got nothing to do, there’s no-one around. Can we go to zoo? I’m too hot, the sun’s too bright, Spiderman’s at the cinema, can we go tonight?”

Any tune will do because let’s face it if you are a parent who has experienced the dead days of the summer holidays these are probably familiar words. By dead days I mean those that seem to drag on forever because there are no more family visitors, kids camps (loved or loathed) are finished, and the annual vacation is long forgotten. Children are bored with each other and doing nothing and now as a last resort they turn to you for entertainment. You feel sorry for them. Your childhood summers were sooo much fun, you were never bored and you never bugged your parents. I have that nice memory too!  In reality though, I did my fair share of pestering. My parents usually suggested gardening which cleared the room instantly. I have some activities (many sourced from the sites below) as a back-up plan so when I am eventually approached, gardening is definitely not on the agenda.

Creative Breakfasts
Whether your child awakes with the dawn chorus or rises around midday with blinking, bleary eyes, march them to the kitchen, place your order for some breakfast/brunch (finger foods for the barbeque later), and let them loose. How about perfect Belgian waffles or Mexican quiche washed down with cranberry and apple tea? They are all here.
www.mrbreakfast.com

Annabel Karmel is a kid’s cook legend in the UK. Her recipes are quick crowd-pleasers and there are additional suggestions from mums on the website message boards too.
www.annabelkarmel.com

Great, savoury brunch suggestions, as well as topical information about children’s nutrition are at EKR. I liked the short article highlighting research that found children who served themselves at meals tended to serve single portions rather than bigger portions that adults tend to heap on their plates) which can reduce the chance of overeating and gobbling.
www.easy-kids-recipes.com

Whilst you are waiting for the delicious banana muffins to cook you could carry on with the food theme and play this interactive game which delivers nutrition information in an easy-going way.
www.nutritionexplorations.org/kids

Splash
After all that food some exercise is probably in order. If neither you nor the kids relish a car ride to the lake or local pool, a kiddies blow-up version in the garden is always a great fallback. Along with paddling and water pistols try some water games, design a poolside T-shirt (perhaps from UV-protective materials), a dream catcher, or take some photos in silly homemade frames.
www.coolest-kid-birthday-parties.com
http://jas.familyfun.go.com
http://www.ehow.com
http://jas.familyfun.go.com

You could also construct something bigger from scratch that may turn into a project that keeps everyone occupied for days.

This kite site is a bit rough and ready but their enthusiasm just flies off the pages.
www.cit.gu.edu.au/~anthony/kites/

This go-kart site is very instructional but involves a little too much welding and bolting for my taste. Luckily the second website is more simplistic (if a little lurid in colour) and the diagrams remind me of the go-karts I have several childhood scars from.
www.diygokarts.com
www.things2make.com

I am obliged to say ‘safety first’ and have the helmets at the ready. But, between us, half the fun of a homemade Kart is balancing five, wildly-screaming children on a rickety, rainbow-painted plank, with old buggy wheels down a grassy slope ….isn’t it?

Following on with safety don’t let anyone slack off on sun duty. Whether it is slip, slap, slop or cool in the shade (popular with celtic skin types like myself) you may want to top up your family’s sun- protection mantra with one or two of these practical tips from doctors. Maybe try this sunwise interactive game with the children which although simply done is colourful and informative.
www.skincancer.org
www.playsafeinthesun.org

Cool Down
To cool off everyone can go indoors and spend a couple of hours exhausting the batteries in every electrical toy available whilst you recharge yours before you get the barbeque on the go.


And believe me, you will expend a lot of energy just browsing this barbeque site which claims to contain ‘more information than you ever though existed on the art of barbequing’. They don’t exaggerate, it is hilarious in detail and passion. I can say no more.
www.barbecuen.com

Whilst things are cooking give the ‘chief baster’ plenty of space and some cold liquids to get on with the task and everyone else can help pitch the tent for an overnight camp-out. Don’t forget the torches for making silly faces when the sun finally goes down on everyone.
www.abc-of-hiking.com

Kids Corner
And finally if you are planning to suggest gardening for tomorrow’s activity, planting a butterfly garden may stop them from fleeing for the hills.
http://familyfun.go.com

I seem to remember from someone (can’t imagine who though) that pesticides are harmful to butterflies so if you can, grow your nectar-rich flowers from seeds.