Family time is a great way to release stress and strengthen your bonds. Moreover, it fosters good communication skills while helping to build your kids’ academic prowess. And no time of the year presents opportunity for family time and family days out like the summer months.
So if you’re looking for some ideas for things to do with the family this summer, and to put another Covid lockdown behind you, here’s four things to consider.
1. Camping
Camping is a great choice if you wish to connect with nature. It’s an activity that often brings with it some outdoor activities and adventure, and is a great way to get the family active by enjoying the great outdoors.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to teach your kids basic survival skills and improve their cognitive function. Therefore, you can add camping to your to-do list if you haven’t done so. It’s prudent to prepare for the trip for the best experience adequately.
For instance, you’d want to consult your family before picking a campsite to ensure that you’re all on the same page. You’d want to book your site in advance and pack your necessary gear. By all means, include a first aid kit to treat wounds and a flashlight to navigate the dark. And please remember to always clean up afterwards and leave any campsite as you found it.
2. Family Day Trips
You can plan day trips if you wish to explore the country with your family. Moreover, it’s a great way to have fun without spending a fortune. What’s more, you’d save yourself the stress of packing luggage and not missing flights.
Fortunately, there are many exciting places to explore across Northern Ireland. We live in Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains and there’s so much to do in this area. From the Peace Maze at Castlewellan Forest Park to Murlough Beach or Tollymore Park in and around the Newcastle area. Or head further along the coast to the picturesque village or Rostrevor and enjoy the mountain bike trails at Kilbroney Park.
Or you could venture to the Ards Peninsula and visit the Exploris Aquarium in Portaferry. Or head along the north coast and visit the Giants Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Wherever you decide to go this summer, there are plenty of places to explore in our home country of Northern Ireland.
3. Travelling to Other Countries
Travelling with your family strengthens your bonds while navigating new experiences. What’s more, it exposes you to different cultures, languages and traditions, broadening your perception of the world. You’d also get to try new dishes, drinks and activities, adding to your summer thrills.
Therefore, make it a point to travel to a new country for an adventurous experience. If you are travelling abroad as a family to explore other countries, it may be worth checking on travelling and immigration laws, as well as the current Covid travel status for UK travellers.
For starters, you’d want to choose a destination country and speak to a credible immigration lawyer regarding the travel requirements to avoid legal issues. You’d also want to pick out activities that match your kids’ energy levels to prevent boredom.
A trip abroad will often be an extended holiday that can sometimes last weeks rather than days. This is why the summer break is often the best time for that once in a lifetime family holiday.
4. An Island Adventure
An island adventure is ideal for sea and pirate lovers. What’s more, spending time by the sea can benefit your health in many ways. For instance, beach sports improve cardiovascular health, while snorkelling enhances total body fitness.
Moreover, the fresh sea air is often free from pollutants, so it’s great to get out and make the most of the sea air – something we benefit from every day living right along the coast.
While Ireland is technically one big island, there are several stunning islands to explore in the country, both north and south. Some of our favourites include the islands of Fermanagh like Boa Island and Lusty Beg, the stunning Rathlin Island along the north coast, and Ireland’s largest island, Achill Island, which is off the coast of Mayo along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
And if you’re planning island hoping around Ireland, we recommend taking in the sights of Donegal in the north west, and the sounds of Cork and Kerry in the south west.
Got Something to Add?
Family holidays and activities is something most of us can look back on fondly. Share your favourite family activities for the summer months with us in the comments below.
Until next time, happy travelling.
Helen, Nial and Lewis.
Welcome to Pikalily, an award-winning food, travel and lifestyle blog. We are Nial and Helen, a happily married couple from Northern Ireland, who share a passion for food and travel among many things. We became parents to our beautiful boy Lewis in 2017. Follow our adventures through the blog.
