10 ideas for a fantastic family summer

Times

29-05-2025

Adventure golf, the world's largest ice cream shop and white knuckle water rides – plus one of the top ten theme parks in Europe (spoiler: it's in Yorkshire) Caption here pls... Happy kids and their parents eating donuts and having fun during family meal on a terrace
Summer: a time for fun in the sun, when new family memories are made. But for parents, also a headache of planning, spending and weather watching.
If you ' re looking for new ways to keep children and teens amused, this checklist features ten top ideas, providers and services to inspire how you spend the coming months with your loved ones.
Why not take on an Olympian rafting challenge, swing out on a mini golf course or follow a path into an 'enchanted forest' for woodland adventures? Or how about a trip to the world ' s largest ice cream shop?
Still contemplating a family-friendly getaway that has everything the kids could want, without compromising on luxury and service for the grown-ups? Read on for brilliant break ideas.
And, because everyday life is filled with all kinds of demands, there are also organisations offering carefully crafted meal plans, planet-friendly sun cream and, as the new school year approaches, a school with creative ways to keep learning well and truly pupil centred.
A small independent school in Llandudno, St David ' s College helps children reach their personal goals in a nurturing, non-selective educational environment.
With specialisms in dyslexia and SEN support, St David ' s College ' s motto is 'freedom to flourish'. It follows this through across the curriculum, enabling academic achievement with tailored learning plans, offering one to one support where needed, and working with families to create a true sense of community.
Sport is key, including a Level 2 BTEC in sport for Years 10 and 11, a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in the sixth form, and an excellent record of pupils progressing to higher education in sports science. Currently, two pupils are also shortlisted for Junior Sportswoman of the Year.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the school for boarding and day pupils is offering a new scholarship scheme, with 60 scholarships available over five years.
The 60th Anniversary Excellence Scholarships will be open to new boarding pupil candidates who demonstrate promise in academic, sporting, creative and leadership spheres.
Find out more at stdavidscollege.co.uk
For families who take their fun seriously, Lost Jungle London is Europe's largest adventure golf destination.
Located in Edgware in north London just off the M1, it features two 18-hole, jungle-themed courses, each offering unique challenges and immersive environments.
The Amazon course pits intrepid mini golfers against waterfalls, jungle animals and the awesome Aztec tomb, or players can take on the Congo course ' s wobbly bridges, sunken ship and giant gorilla…
Fancy a different challenge? The nine-hole footgolf course mixes golf and football.
With specially themed packages, a café and full facilities, it ' s a great place to host a kid ' s birthday event or a corporate party.
The course has free parking and is within walking distance from Stanmore Tube station, making it an easy way to spend time together.
A must for all tiny Tigers, mini McIlroys and little Lauras…
No booking required. Open seven days a week, with extended hours in summer. From £13 for adults (18 holes), family tickets available. Visit lostjunglelondon.co.uk
Based in Tattenhall, in the heart of Cheshire, and loved by generations, The Ice Cream Farm is a must-visit destination this summer.
Recently crowned Cheshire ' s visitor attraction of the year, this is the world ' s largest ice cream shop, serving more than 50 delicious flavours, from the classics to fun favourites like bubblegum and Eton mess.
New for summer 2025 is the Ice Cream Fields Adventure Playground. This exciting outdoor space is packed with slides, climbing frames and imaginative sensory play zones.
Here, little ones can splash and explore in one of Europe ' s largest indoor sand and water play areas, challenge the family to a round of Strawberry Falls adventure golf, or bounce to their heart ' s content on the giant Marshmallow Mound.
Friendly, fun and full of sweet treats, The Ice Cream Farm delivers magical moments for all ages, and its mix of indoor and outdoor attractions make it the perfect all-weather day out for excitement-hungry families.
Open seven days a week, booking is recommended for weekends and holidays. Book at theicecreamfarm.co.uk
When family life is hectic and often unpredictable, that can quickly result in compromises to our personal health and eating regimes. But with the right tools, it is possible to establish a better routine.
Nutrigenic focuses on making meal prep more convenient without forgoing a real food diet for a performance-driven lifestyle.
By offering chef-created, 100 per cent wholefood meals drawing on science-backed, nutritional expertise, Nutrigenic delivers gourmet dinners specifically crafted to fuel energy, recovery and strength.
Created to offer flavour and easy use, Nutrigenic plans serve up great dinnertime solutions for busy families.
In a market saturated with convenience foods and gimmicky diet fads, Nutrigenic ' s precision-based meals, made without additives or chemicals, can also support a weight management routine, helping burn fat and build lean muscle.
Optimised for athletes, to support endurance, strength and recovery, it ' s no wonder Nutrigenic ' s meal packages are endorsed by professionals across many sporting disciplines — including Ultimate Fighting Championship, International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation, boxing and Team GB athletics.
Find out more at nutrigenic.co.uk. Use code SUMMER25 for 25 per cent off the Commit plan
Holiday memories last a lifetime, and with the small group adventures created by Explore, families can enjoy precious down time together, in all kinds of incredible ways.
From martial arts lessons in Vietnam to a safari in Botswana, the experiences Explore provides offer amazing, activity-packed adventures that can be safely enjoyed by adults and children.
Expert tour leaders are chosen with families in mind, taking groups on fully planned itineraries, so that parents can simply relax and enjoy the journey. With maximum group sizes of 16, this also gives people the chance to spend time with other families from all walks of life.
It's the perfect excuse to swap the usual hotel pool for camel rides in Morocco, seeing the raw beauty of Costa Rica up close or taking a rickshaw ride through the bazaars of Old Delhi.
Platinum awarded on Feefo, Explore is Atol-protected and is a B Corp certified company – so parents can share the world ' s wonders with their children and know they have travelled responsibly.
Book at explore.co.uk – Times readers get 10 per cent off with code FAMILY10 until July 31, 2025. T&Cs apply
Keeping on top of housework is not an easy task when life keeps you busy, but SuperClean is on a mission to rewrite the rules.
The bestseller in Dew ' s range of home, baby and pet-safe household products, SuperClean multipurpose cleaner has been specially formulated to keep things fresh in a way that protects the family and your world.
Powered by electrolysed water technology, SuperClean is strong enough to cut through grease and grime, yet gentle enough for food preparation areas, highchairs and pet bowls.
It is also allergy UK-certified, vegan and hypoallergenic, so suitable for allergy-prone households.
Made from just salt, water and a spark of electricity, and free of harmful chemicals, SuperClean offers planet-kind performance that works on every surface in the home.
Why not try SuperClean today? Times readers get 25 per cent off their first online order with code TIMES25.
Find out more about the Dew range and shop now at dewproducts.com
Getting out and about under bright skies has its drawbacks, not least, wanting to keep little ones sun-safe.
Developed by Dr Andrew Birnie, a consultant dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon, Altruist Family Sunspray SPF50 is a formulated trigger spray that can be easily applied, without the usual stickiness and mess.
Created with advanced, photostable UV filters, it provides protection with broad-spectrum SPF50 and a five-star ultra-UVA rating (PPD 48).
This gentle, fragrance and paraben-free formula is quickly absorbed without leaving a residue, and feels more like a moisturiser on the skin. It is also hypoallergenic, making it suitable for everyone in the family, even babies from six months old.
Also water-resistant, Altruist lets kids enjoy their carefree adventures while parents can relax, knowing that this high-performance sunspray is vegan, reef friendly and microplastic free.
What's more, with every bottle sold, 10p is donated to charities supporting children with albinism in Africa. One bottle offers full protection, and with real purpose.
Discover Altruist Family Sunspray SPF50 at altruistsun.com
With a choice of boutique hotels and resorts located across Majorca and Menorca, Zafiro helps you get the best from the beautiful Balearics.
For its stunning beaches and straightforward airport transfers, Majorca is a great choice. Here, Zafiro has everything for a dream family break, including three stunning resorts – Zafiro Palace Andratx, Zafiro Palace Alcudia and Zafiro Palace Palmanova.
Family rooms are spacious, modern, elegant and comfortable, with luxurious options including swim-up and private pools.
Each location also features large outdoor areas, with gardens, children ' s playgrounds and a kids ' club, and spa and gym facilities for grown-ups. A choice of pools also includes fabulously designed spaces for kids to have a splashing time.
Mealtimes are flexible and family-friendly, too, with each location offering a variety of options through the day, plus poolside snacks and lunch restaurants.
And when it comes to the bill, booking options include all-inclusive deals, so you can focus on the fun without thinking about added costs.
Book now at zafirohotels.com/en
Whatever the weather, this Yorkshire adventure park offers wonder and fun for all ages.
Named in the top ten theme parks in Europe for 2025 by Tripadvisor, and open all year round, Stockeld Park has oodles of indoor and outdoor space for active and imaginative play.
Venture into the Enchanted Forest for themed adventure playgrounds, magical interactive challenges and the bumper-boats lake. Then tackle the Giant Yew Tree maze with surprises around every corner.
The award-winning indoor Playhive has room for one and all to frolic along the high-level walkways and spiralling tunnel slides that connect its different 'worlds' – space, air, jungle and ocean. And throughout the summer there are go-karts, giant inflatables and a tractor run for smaller guests, while older children can take on the woodland laser arena.
Throughout school holidays there is also live music plus games, dancing and a bubble extravaganza.
With cafés and refreshment kiosks throughout the attraction, it ' s almost as if Stockfeld Park ' s team knows exactly what every parent is looking for.
Book now at stockeldpark.co.uk
The park's inflatables guarantee ensures that if, for any reason, the inflatables are closed for two hours or more when you visit (due to power cut, rain, high winds, for example), you can get a free pass to the park valid until September 14, 2025
Specially created ahead of the London 2012 Games, Lee Valley White Water Centre is a fun day out, with rafting experiences suitable for all ages and abilities.
It ' s not often that Mum, Dad and the kids all get the chance to take on the same incredible circuit world-class competitors have been through, but this attraction offers family friendly thrills with just enough added adrenaline.
Whether you ' re looking for a real challenge or you ' ve got a first time paddler in tow, there is something for everyone. Take on the Olympic standard competition course for a white knuckle water ride, or enjoy the easier flowing Legacy Loop, with well trained staff on hand when you need them.
Easy to reach on the outskirts of northeast London, Lee Valley White Water Centre also offers kayaking, paddleboarding and an amazing Water Wipeout course, plus plenty of green space to take a trail or just chat about your water adventures over lunch.
Book now at better.digitickets.co.uk. Lee Valley White Water Centre is also offering up to 20 per cent off for groups until July 31, 2025 – perfect for parties. Terms and conditions can be found at better.org.uk/offer-terms
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