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Scotsman
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
31 fun-filled summer activities to entertain your children - for every day in August
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. The summer holidays are in full swing - and you might be running out of ideas to entertain your children. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A recent survey by charity Parentkind found that more than half of parents back shortening the summer holidays, with the average childcare bill more than £1,000 per child. Jason Elsom, chief executive of Parentkind, said: 'The long summer break is a challenge for some parents. Our large parent poll shows that most parents want to knock two weeks off the six-week summer break to give teachers and children a month off instead.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To help out, children's newspaper First News has pulled together a handy guide for families, with 31 things to do for every day in August. From activities in nature and things to do on a budget, to competitions to get involved with, this handy schedule will keep the boredom at bay throughout the month. 31 things to do in August 31 fun-filled summer activities for children - for every day in August | Adobe Stock 1. Edinburgh Festival Fringe A host of artists, dancers and performers will descend on the Scottish capital for three weeks of festival fun. Why not create your own song, dance, poem or comedy sketch at home? 2. Enjoy an English Heritage site There's lots going on this summer at English Heritage sites, from fun family activities like mini-golf and archery to Taskmaster challenges, live music and mythical trails. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Book ahead and you can save up to 15% on tickets. Members get in for free - sign up here. 3. Go for a picnic Get the family together and pick up snacks, before spending a day at a local park or beauty spot. 4. National Marine Week (Until August 10) Do you know your crabs from your sea slugs? This event aims to raise awareness about the importance of marine life and the threats it faces. Check out what activities you can get involved with or learn about our amazing seas at The Wildlife Trusts website. 5. Big Butterfly Count (Until August 10) Choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes, then record the species you see at the link below. By spotting butterflies and sharing your findings, you'll be helping to assess the health of our environment. Find out more at the Big Butterfly Count website. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 6. Playday Playday is the national day for play, celebrated each year across the UK on the first Wednesday in August. What better excuse than this to play the day away? Invite your friends round and enjoy some crafting, garden games or general fun together. 7. Kids Week Enjoy the magic of London's West End with free theatre tickets for children. Anyone aged 17 and under goes free to a host of top shows when accompanied by an adult paying full price. You can see the likes of 101 Dalmatians, Alice in Wonderland, Back to the Future and Wicked. Book your tickets here. 8. International Cat Day Celebrate our feline friends by giving them lots of love! If you don't have any pet cats to stroke, perhaps you could enjoy The Garfield Movie instead? 9. Summer Reading Challenge Pop down to your local library to take part in a summer reading challenge for the holidays. Discover tons of exciting new books, earn rewards and share your top picks with others. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 10. Museum or art gallery trip Explore a new museum, gallery or exhibition and learn loads of cool facts along the way. Lots of museums are free, too. Some of our favourites include the Young V&A in London, the Story Museum in Oxford and Manchester Museum. 11. How to draw/doodle Have a go at your own doodles. Where will your imagination take you? Subscribe to First News to take part in a 'how to draw' activity. 12. International Youth Day This United Nations Day is dedicated to empowering young people and giving you a voice. What issues do you think are important or would you like to change? Get in touch with First News to share your thoughts. 13 . Afternoon Tea Week (August 11-17) Time to get out the teacups, whip up some cake and enjoy a chit-chat with friends. Why not take this opportunity to do some baking? You could test out some Victoria sponge, cupcakes or scones. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 14. Movie time! There are tons of great movies to check out at home or in the cinema this summer. Top of our list are A Minecraft Movie, The Bad Guys 2, Smurfs and Jurassic World Rebirth. Book your tickets at Odeon cinemas. 15. Words Matter Competition First News is hosting a summer poetry competition, and it's not too late to get involved. All you have to do is write your own poem about the power of words. How do different words make you feel? Perhaps certain words said by adults help you feel confident and happy? Perhaps others make you feel hurt, down or isolated. The winning entries can scoop Amazon vouchers and book tokens. Find out more at 16 Pick your own Pick your own fresh fruit at a local farm. Strawberries, cherries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants are all popular at this time of year. You could even have a go at whipping up a tasty dessert or smoothie with your harvest. 17. Do a Joe Wicks workout Join PE guru Joe Wicks for his new animated fitness series, Activate. Each five-minute episode aims to get you moving and grooving with upbeat tunes from UK artists. Ask an adult to check it out on Joe Wicks' YouTube channel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 18. Host your own festival If you can't make it to a festival, why not host your own at home? You could make a playlist, decorate your front room or garden, make some tasty food and homemade lemonade, and just enjoy the vibes with friends. 19. World Photography Day Snap photos of friends and family, or what's around you, and create lasting memories! 20. YOTO competition Subscribe to First News and look out for a cool competition with YOTO in the August 8 edition. You could win a YOTO Mini for yourself and everyone in your class. 21. GCSE results come out Celebrate and support all those who are getting their GCSE results on August 21. More than 5 million pupils across England will be able to go and collect their results from their school that morning, either opening them then and there, or taking them home to share the experience with their loved ones. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 22. Big Feastival This huge festival brings together top music artists with Michelin-starred chefs, award-winning street food and an exciting range of family activities. Book tickets here. 23. Hollywood Bowl competition Have you taken part in Hollywood Bowl's Design a Pin competition? Hollywood Bowl centres across the whole of the UK are inviting you to 'bowl them over' this summer by designing a very special, music-themed bowling pin. The winning artist will see their design transformed into a real bowling pin, to take home. Submit your creation to Hollywood Bowl via email or visit your local Hollywood Bowl centre and hand it in at the front desk. 24. Notting Hill Carnival: Families and Children's Day One of the world's biggest street parties is taking place in London this weekend. Expect singing, dancing and colourful costumes galore. Find out more on the Notting Hill Carnival website. 25. Bank Holiday (except in Scotland) Gather your friends and family for a fun-filled day together. Who doesn't love a bit of rounders? Or you could enjoy a long walk and activities in the woods. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 26. Sort your room out Make like Stacey Solomon and give your bedroom a good sort out. See if there's anything you could get rid of or donate to charity. Perhaps you have old clothes you no longer wear, or you've got toys that you don't play with? Your room (and parents) will thank you later. 27. Games night Organise a games night! Pick your favourite board game and enjoy some laughs with all the family. Who will come out victorious? Our favourite games are Monopoly, Think Words and Linkee. 28. Go to the lido or the beach Enjoy the last few days of summer (and hopefully some sunny weather) by heading to your local lido or beach spot. 29. Scavenger hunt No matter how old you are, a good old scavenger hunt never gets boring! Put together a list of things for people to find (be it around the house, in the garden or at the park) and see who can tick them all off quickest. You could even reward the winner with a prize. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 30. Cook-off Whip up a homemade meal for your family. Perhaps you could try making pizzas or explore some different pasta dishes? 31. Scrapbook/crafting Make sure you remember your summer by creating your very own scrapbook. Fill it with photos, tickets, drawings and diary entries to look back on in years to come. This article has been published in collaboration with First News, an award-winning weekly newspaper for children. Their age-appropriate news stories and activities spark curiosity, build media and information literacy skills and empower children with the tools to navigate the world. Find out more on the First News website.
Scotsman
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
31 fun-filled summer activities to entertain your children - for every day in August
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. The summer holidays are in full swing - and you might be running out of ideas to entertain your children. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A recent survey by charity Parentkind found that more than half of parents back shortening the summer holidays, with the average childcare bill more than £1,000 per child. Jason Elsom, chief executive of Parentkind, said: 'The long summer break is a challenge for some parents. Our large parent poll shows that most parents want to knock two weeks off the six-week summer break to give teachers and children a month off instead.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To help out, children's newspaper First News has pulled together a handy guide for families, with 31 things to do for every day in August. From activities in nature and things to do on a budget, to competitions to get involved with, this handy schedule will keep the boredom at bay throughout the month. 31 things to do in August 31 fun-filled summer activities for children - for every day in August | Adobe Stock 1. Edinburgh Festival Fringe A host of artists, dancers and performers will descend on the Scottish capital for three weeks of festival fun. Why not create your own song, dance, poem or comedy sketch at home? 2. Enjoy an English Heritage site There's lots going on this summer at English Heritage sites, from fun family activities like mini-golf and archery to Taskmaster challenges, live music and mythical trails. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Book ahead and you can save up to 15% on tickets. Members get in for free - sign up here. 3. Go for a picnic Get the family together and pick up snacks, before spending a day at a local park or beauty spot. 4. National Marine Week (Until August 10) Do you know your crabs from your sea slugs? This event aims to raise awareness about the importance of marine life and the threats it faces. Check out what activities you can get involved with or learn about our amazing seas at The Wildlife Trusts website. 5. Big Butterfly Count (Until August 10) Choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes, then record the species you see at the link below. By spotting butterflies and sharing your findings, you'll be helping to assess the health of our environment. Find out more at the Big Butterfly Count website. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 6. Playday Playday is the national day for play, celebrated each year across the UK on the first Wednesday in August. What better excuse than this to play the day away? Invite your friends round and enjoy some crafting, garden games or general fun together. 7. Kids Week Enjoy the magic of London's West End with free theatre tickets for children. Anyone aged 17 and under goes free to a host of top shows when accompanied by an adult paying full price. You can see the likes of 101 Dalmatians, Alice in Wonderland, Back to the Future and Wicked. Book your tickets here. 8. International Cat Day Celebrate our feline friends by giving them lots of love! If you don't have any pet cats to stroke, perhaps you could enjoy The Garfield Movie instead? 9. Summer Reading Challenge Pop down to your local library to take part in a summer reading challenge for the holidays. Discover tons of exciting new books, earn rewards and share your top picks with others. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 10. Museum or art gallery trip Explore a new museum, gallery or exhibition and learn loads of cool facts along the way. Lots of museums are free, too. Some of our favourites include the Young V&A in London, the Story Museum in Oxford and Manchester Museum. 11. How to draw/doodle Have a go at your own doodles. Where will your imagination take you? Subscribe to First News to take part in a 'how to draw' activity. 12. International Youth Day This United Nations Day is dedicated to empowering young people and giving you a voice. What issues do you think are important or would you like to change? Get in touch with First News to share your thoughts. 13 . Afternoon Tea Week (August 11-17) Time to get out the teacups, whip up some cake and enjoy a chit-chat with friends. Why not take this opportunity to do some baking? You could test out some Victoria sponge, cupcakes or scones. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 14. Movie time! There are tons of great movies to check out at home or in the cinema this summer. Top of our list are A Minecraft Movie, The Bad Guys 2, Smurfs and Jurassic World Rebirth. Book your tickets at Odeon cinemas. 15. Words Matter Competition First News is hosting a summer poetry competition, and it's not too late to get involved. All you have to do is write your own poem about the power of words. How do different words make you feel? Perhaps certain words said by adults help you feel confident and happy? Perhaps others make you feel hurt, down or isolated. The winning entries can scoop Amazon vouchers and book tokens. Find out more at 16 Pick your own Pick your own fresh fruit at a local farm. Strawberries, cherries, gooseberries, blackcurrants and redcurrants are all popular at this time of year. You could even have a go at whipping up a tasty dessert or smoothie with your harvest. 17. Do a Joe Wicks workout Join PE guru Joe Wicks for his new animated fitness series, Activate. Each five-minute episode aims to get you moving and grooving with upbeat tunes from UK artists. Ask an adult to check it out on Joe Wicks' YouTube channel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 18. Host your own festival If you can't make it to a festival, why not host your own at home? You could make a playlist, decorate your front room or garden, make some tasty food and homemade lemonade, and just enjoy the vibes with friends. 19. World Photography Day Snap photos of friends and family, or what's around you, and create lasting memories! 20. YOTO competition Subscribe to First News and look out for a cool competition with YOTO in the August 8 edition. You could win a YOTO Mini for yourself and everyone in your class. 21. GCSE results come out Celebrate and support all those who are getting their GCSE results on August 21. More than 5 million pupils across England will be able to go and collect their results from their school that morning, either opening them then and there, or taking them home to share the experience with their loved ones. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 22. Big Feastival This huge festival brings together top music artists with Michelin-starred chefs, award-winning street food and an exciting range of family activities. Book tickets here. 23. Hollywood Bowl competition Have you taken part in Hollywood Bowl's Design a Pin competition? Hollywood Bowl centres across the whole of the UK are inviting you to 'bowl them over' this summer by designing a very special, music-themed bowling pin. The winning artist will see their design transformed into a real bowling pin, to take home. Submit your creation to Hollywood Bowl via email or visit your local Hollywood Bowl centre and hand it in at the front desk. 24. Notting Hill Carnival: Families and Children's Day One of the world's biggest street parties is taking place in London this weekend. Expect singing, dancing and colourful costumes galore. Find out more on the Notting Hill Carnival website. 25. Bank Holiday (except in Scotland) Gather your friends and family for a fun-filled day together. Who doesn't love a bit of rounders? Or you could enjoy a long walk and activities in the woods. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 26. Sort your room out Make like Stacey Solomon and give your bedroom a good sort out. See if there's anything you could get rid of or donate to charity. Perhaps you have old clothes you no longer wear, or you've got toys that you don't play with? Your room (and parents) will thank you later. 27. Games night Organise a games night! Pick your favourite board game and enjoy some laughs with all the family. Who will come out victorious? Our favourite games are Monopoly, Think Words and Linkee. 28. Go to the lido or the beach Enjoy the last few days of summer (and hopefully some sunny weather) by heading to your local lido or beach spot. 29. Scavenger hunt No matter how old you are, a good old scavenger hunt never gets boring! Put together a list of things for people to find (be it around the house, in the garden or at the park) and see who can tick them all off quickest. You could even reward the winner with a prize. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 30. Cook-off Whip up a homemade meal for your family. Perhaps you could try making pizzas or explore some different pasta dishes? 31. Scrapbook/crafting Make sure you remember your summer by creating your very own scrapbook. Fill it with photos, tickets, drawings and diary entries to look back on in years to come.
The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Parents call for summer holidays to be slashed to FOUR WEEKS to help ease costly pressure of keeping kids off school
FED-UP parents are begging for summer holiday to be slashed to four weeks to lighten the load of childcare over summer. More than half of parents would back a shorter break, a poll by charity Parentkind has revealed. 3 Parents are demanding a shorter summer holiday for kids Credit: Getty 3 The price and pressure of finding childcare for six weeks has led to families to complain about the long break Credit: Getty 3 A poll found over 50 per cent of parents want a shorter summer holiday Credit: Getty The call to cut the holiday comes just as state schools in England prepare to break up, leaving parents bracing for six weeks with the kids at home. Chief executive of the charity Jason Elsom said: 'The long summer break is a challenge for some parents. "Most want to knock two weeks off to give teachers and children a month off instead.' Parents say the long summer causes serious headaches and that they struggle with trying to finding cover at work and attempting to keep children entertained. Read more News Elsom added: 'A shorter summer holiday would help with costs and childcare, which would be particularly welcome at a time when some families are struggling to keep their heads above water.' Parentkind's survey found 53 per cent of parents support cutting the break to four weeks, while just 33 per cent are against it. Among parents of kids on free school meals, the support jumps to 47 per cent, showing a strong link between holiday length and financial pressure in the household. Parentkind says some low-income families have told them they've even skipped meals during term time to cover school costs. Most read in The Sun Many families said they'd prefer longer Christmas breaks or two-week half-terms instead of the long summer slog. Teachers are also on board, with 62 per cent saying they'd accept a shorter summer. Nearly a quarter of teachers back a straight four-week summer, while 38 per cent favour trimming it to five. There's going to be uproar at my kids' school thanks to new mobile phone rule - they'll no longer be safe, I'm outraged Only a third still want to keep the traditional six-week break. Private schools already have a longer break, with pupils getting from eight to nine weeks form early July to early September. Some even stretch to up to 10 weeks, depending on the school. In Ireland, students also get long summer holidays the length of summer holidays varies slightly between primary and secondary schools. Irish primary schools typically have nine weeks of summer holidays whereas secondary schools enjoy a whopping 12 weeks. Across the Chanel, France has an average school summer holiday of eight weeks, siimilar to the UK. However Italy veers closer to Ireland, giving students 11 to 12 weeks off school from early June–mid September. In Germany it varies state by state, but on average pupils have a six week break. However childcare costs in the UK in summer are almost three times higher than after-school clubs, now averaging £179 per child per week, according to charity Coram. Experts have also raised concerns that children regress academically over long holidays, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Elsom warned that for struggling households, a six-week break can feel 'more like survival than a holiday'. The government is under pressure to rethink the school calendar, with Parentkind calling for a full national debate on how holidays are spread through the year. The idea of two-week half-terms is gaining traction among both schools and parents. Some UK schools have already trialled shorter summers and longer mid-term breaks, with mixed responses. In Wales, a plan to shorten the summer holiday by a week and expand the October half-term was put forward in 2022. It was shelved after consultation responses were sharply split among teachers, parents and unions. However childcare prices rising and many parents at breaking point, pressure is mounting for England to rethink the six-week summer. The Sun has reached out to the Department of Education for a comment.
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Parents call for summer holidays to be slashed to FOUR WEEKS to help ease costly pressure of keeping kids off school
Some 62 percent of teachers are on board with trimming the holiday GIVE ME A BREAK Parents call for summer holidays to be slashed to FOUR WEEKS to help ease costly pressure of keeping kids off school Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FED-UP parents are begging for summer holiday to be slashed to four weeks to lighten the load of childcare over summer. More than half of parents would back a shorter break, a poll by charity Parentkind has revealed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Parents are demanding a shorter summer holiday for kids Credit: Getty 3 The price and pressure of finding childcare for six weeks has led to families to complain about the long break Credit: Getty 3 A poll found over 50 per cent of parents want a shorter summer holiday Credit: Getty The call to cut the holiday comes just as state schools in England prepare to break up, leaving parents bracing for six weeks with the kids at home. Chief executive of the charity Jason Elsom said: 'The long summer break is a challenge for some parents. "Most want to knock two weeks off to give teachers and children a month off instead.' Parents say the long summer causes serious headaches and that they struggle with trying to finding cover at work and attempting to keep children entertained. Elsom added: 'A shorter summer holiday would help with costs and childcare, which would be particularly welcome at a time when some families are struggling to keep their heads above water.' Parentkind's survey found 53 per cent of parents support cutting the break to four weeks, while just 33 per cent are against it. Among parents of kids on free school meals, the support jumps to 47 per cent, showing a strong link between holiday length and financial pressure in the household. Parentkind says some low-income families have told them they've even skipped meals during term time to cover school costs. Many families said they'd prefer longer Christmas breaks or two-week half-terms instead of the long summer slog. Teachers are also on board, with 62 per cent saying they'd accept a shorter summer. Nearly a quarter of teachers back a straight four-week summer, while 38 per cent favour trimming it to five. There's going to be uproar at my kids' school thanks to new mobile phone rule - they'll no longer be safe, I'm outraged Only a third still want to keep the traditional six-week break. Private schools already have a longer break, with pupils getting from eight to nine weeks form early July to early September. Some even stretch to up to 10 weeks, depending on the school. In Ireland, students also get long summer holidays the length of summer holidays varies slightly between primary and secondary schools. Irish primary schools typically have nine weeks of summer holidays whereas secondary schools enjoy a whopping 12 weeks. Across the Chanel, France has an average school summer holiday of eight weeks, siimilar to the UK. However Italy veers closer to Ireland, giving students 11 to 12 weeks off school from early June–mid September. In Germany it varies state by state, but on average pupils have a six week break. However childcare costs in the UK in summer are almost three times higher than after-school clubs, now averaging £179 per child per week, according to charity Coram. Experts have also raised concerns that children regress academically over long holidays, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Elsom warned that for struggling households, a six-week break can feel 'more like survival than a holiday'. The government is under pressure to rethink the school calendar, with Parentkind calling for a full national debate on how holidays are spread through the year. The idea of two-week half-terms is gaining traction among both schools and parents. Some UK schools have already trialled shorter summers and longer mid-term breaks, with mixed responses. In Wales, a plan to shorten the summer holiday by a week and expand the October half-term was put forward in 2022. It was shelved after consultation responses were sharply split among teachers, parents and unions. However childcare prices rising and many parents at breaking point, pressure is mounting for England to rethink the six-week summer. The Sun has reached out to the Department of Education for a comment.
The Sun
17-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Parents call for summer holidays to be slashed to FOUR WEEKS to help ease costly pressure of keeping kids off school
FED-UP parents are begging for summer holiday to be slashed to four weeks to lighten the load of childcare over summer. More than half of parents would back a shorter break, a poll by charity Parentkind has revealed. 3 3 The call to cut the holiday comes just as state schools in England prepare to break up, leaving parents bracing for six weeks with the kids at home. Chief executive of the charity Jason Elsom said: 'The long summer break is a challenge for some parents. "Most want to knock two weeks off to give teachers and children a month off instead.' Parents say the long summer causes serious headaches and that they struggle with trying to finding cover at work and attempting to keep children entertained. Elsom added: 'A shorter summer holiday would help with costs and childcare, which would be particularly welcome at a time when some families are struggling to keep their heads above water.' Parentkind's survey found 53 per cent of parents support cutting the break to four weeks, while just 33 per cent are against it. Among parents of kids on free school meals, the support jumps to 47 per cent, showing a strong link between holiday length and financial pressure in the household. Parentkind says some low-income families have told them they've even skipped meals during term time to cover school costs. Many families said they'd prefer longer Christmas breaks or two-week half-terms instead of the long summer slog. Teachers are also on board, with 62 per cent saying they'd accept a shorter summer. Nearly a quarter of teachers back a straight four-week summer, while 38 per cent favour trimming it to five. There's going to be uproar at my kids' school thanks to new mobile phone rule - they'll no longer be safe, I'm outraged Only a third still want to keep the traditional six-week break. Private schools already have a longer break, with pupils getting from eight to nine weeks form early July to early September. Some even stretch to up to 10 weeks, depending on the school. In Ireland, students also get long summer holidays the length of summer holidays varies slightly between primary and secondary schools. Irish primary schools typically have nine weeks of summer holidays whereas secondary schools enjoy a whopping 12 weeks. Across the Chanel, France has an average school summer holiday of eight weeks, siimilar to the UK. However Italy veers closer to Ireland, giving students 11 to 12 weeks off school from early June–mid September. In Germany it varies state by state, but on average pupils have a six week break. However childcare costs in the UK in summer are almost three times higher than after-school clubs, now averaging £179 per child per week, according to charity Coram. Experts have also raised concerns that children regress academically over long holidays, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Elsom warned that for struggling households, a six-week break can feel 'more like survival than a holiday'. The government is under pressure to rethink the school calendar, with Parentkind calling for a full national debate on how holidays are spread through the year. The idea of two-week half-terms is gaining traction among both schools and parents. Some UK schools have already trialled shorter summers and longer mid-term breaks, with mixed responses. In Wales, a plan to shorten the summer holiday by a week and expand the October half-term was put forward in 2022. It was shelved after consultation responses were sharply split among teachers, parents and unions. However childcare prices rising and many parents at breaking point, pressure is mounting for England to rethink the six-week summer. The Sun has reached out to the Department of Education for a comment.
