Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
10 ways to create a love of learning
Primary Times takes a look at how you can inspire your little ones and enjoy educational fun as a family
After the summer break, you’re hopefully entering the new academic year well-rested and with lots of fresh enthusiasm and energy for school and your child’s studies. Keep it simple and focus on exciting activities and family days out that also involve an educational theme. Encourage your child to enjoy learning new things as they discover more about the world around them through a variety of engaging experiences.
How to make learning fun? 10 ideas to inspire the whole family…
Local museums
Museums often feature interactive exhibits and hands-on activities so that the whole family can learn together. With various art museums, science or historical museums to choose from, it’s fun for all ages with direct links to children’s school subjects!
Sensory arts and crafts
A fantastic outlet for creativity that also helps children to express themselves artistically and to hone their fine motor skills. Play together at home or try out some family sessions in your local area. Get messy with playdough, slime, painting and drawing and let your imagination run wild!
Start a book club
Read stories aloud and act out your favourite scenes together. Create a casual family book club at home to gently encourage your child to read more and to enjoy sharing their own thoughts and opinions. Libraries might also run storytelling sessions or children’s workshops too.
Theatre trips
See a family show or take part in a performing arts workshop. Make your own costumes/props and have a go at writing your own musical together to perform for family and friends. Live theatre brings stories to life in exciting ways and can help children to find enjoyment in dance, drama and other performance-based subjects.
DIY science experiments
From trying to make your own slime to the classic baking soda volcano, water bottle chimes, and the mouldy bread experiment - make use of everyday items around your home to introduce and expand on scientific topics in appealing, visual ways for children.
Games cafés
Look out for the board game cafés or gaming hubs in your local area! A fantastically fun way to keep all ages entertained (especially on a rainy day), certain games can help to develop social skills and promote problem-solving, strategy, logic and critical thinking skills too.
Explore the great outdoors
Go camping and immerse yourselves in nature! Visit garden centres, woodland trails and nature parks to learn more about gardening. Plant some flowers or have a go at growing your own vegetables as a family! Fresh air and learning outdoors are thought to be great for engaging young minds.
Cooking
Cook with your children to get them thinking about mathematical skills and concepts. Bake some brownies or cookies together and watch as they practise their counting, measuring and weighing out different ingredients, and telling the time as the food cooks. Reward yourselves with your tasty treat!
Get active
Have fun and keep fit at your local sports centre or leisure park with family gym sessions. Try something new together. Sports and team games help to build children’s adaptability, communication, resilience and determination - key skills for education and life beyond school.
Visit an animal sanctuary or zoo
Hands-on animal experiences can help with understanding more about different habitats, environmental awareness, conservation and sustainability. It’s a great way to create family memories and nurture a child’s connection with the natural world as they learn and grow.