Because the best memories are made in the quiet moments…

AS the long stretch of summer approaches, I’ve been thinking a lot about the pressure parents can feel to keep their children constantly busy. Clubs, trips, activities, entertainment—filling every gap in the day so there’s no room for boredom.

But here’s the thing: boredom isn’t a problem. In fact, it might be exactly what children need.

Some of the best childhood memories aren’t made during carefully planned activities. They’re made in the quiet, unstructured moments—when children are left to figure things out for themselves. When they have time to climb trees, dig in the mud, invent games, argue over the rules, and then carry on playing. It’s in those gaps that creativity takes hold.

We’ve got so used to filling every spare minute that we’ve forgotten the value of simply being. And for children, especially, those empty pockets of time are where imagination kicks in. They learn to take the lead, to entertain themselves, to play freely without needing an agenda.

So this summer, I’d encourage you to leave some space. Not every day needs a plan. Not every moment needs to be productive. It’s okay for them to get bored. It’s part of growing up—and it’s how they learn to build fun from the ground up.

And if you’re looking for a place that gives children that freedom—to roam, to explore, to get muddy and come home happily tired—our Summer Holiday Camps might be just the thing. We’ve still got a few spaces available.

The kids spend their time outside in the woods, making dens, climbing trees, running wild, and returning with muddy knees and big smiles.

Sometimes the best days don’t come with a plan.

Here are some simple, slow ideas to try with your little one over the summer...

Creative Activity

Collect sticks, leaves, feathers, and bits of grass on a walk, then turn them into your own nature paintbrushes by tying them onto twigs. Use mud or natural pigments—like crushed berries or charcoal—as paint. Children can create artwork on rocks, logs, or bits of scrap cardboard. It’s messy, creative, and led entirely by their imagination.

Mindful Moment

Go on a slow walk and pause often. Encourage your child to close their eyes and just listen. What can they hear? Birds, rustling leaves, buzzing insects, distant voices? There’s no rush—just being still and tuning into the sounds and sensations around them. It’s a simple way to calm the mind and connect with the natural world.

Nature Spotting

Head into the garden, local woods, or even a patch of grass, and go on a mini safari. Look under stones, along hedgerows, and up in the trees. How many different creatures can you spot? Bring a notebook to sketch or list what you find—or just talk about it. The joy is in the noticing, not ticking off a checklist