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Written by Girl About Southsea
It feels as though we have only just sent the kids back to school in their new oversized uniforms, yet somehow it’s almost half term already. It really shouldn’t be a surprise to us parents as the school holidays are approximately every six weeks. But after just settling into the new term time routine after the six weeks summer holidays, we’re back to the drawing board planning activities and days out to keep the kids busy.
The October half term is always a tricky one, being the first of the academic year after the summer holidays and having spent what may feel like a small fortune on clubs, camps and days out, and the break just before Christmas. Plus with unpredictable autumn weather it can sometimes be difficult to plan activities. So the October half term tends to be a little more low cost, but always maximum fun.
When the autumnal weather is a little unpredictable, some of our favourite indoor activities are crafts and playdough. Like most kids, mine love to be creative and make a mess with artistic creations, leaving me to pick up the Playdough and paper cuttings from the floor. We also love experimental baking and with half term being so close to Halloween, it’s the perfect time to make spooky cookies.
When the weather is a little more predictable we love to head to the beach, racing across the esplanade on scooters before a treasure hunt, looking for precious stones and pretty shells to bring back and place in the garden, or on the window sill.
Canoe Lake is one of our go-to’s. It’s such a diverse and family centric location that can keep the kids entertained for hours. The big playpark is great for kids of all ages, from a sand pit, to a zip wire, there is something for them all. Not forgetting the lake for crabbing and pedalo swans.
Southsea Castle is a fantastic piece of history for the kids to explore and enjoy. The cannons, architecture, historic displays inside and the views outside make it a really enjoyable trip out for all. Portsmouth Museum and the Natural History Museum are also great places my kids enjoy visiting. The kids are so inquisitive and love to learn and find out new things, the museums are the perfect place.
We are so lucky to live in a place where there are so many things to do, with family activities on our doorstep all year round. Many are free or low cost, and of course, always maximum fun.
Photos: www.facebook.com/TonyPalmerPhotography
Posted in: Articles, Family, Local & Community
