Added by: Shropshire Mums on Thu Jul 25 18:50 2024
The big School Summer Holidays have arrived once again and keeping the kids entertained dosn't need to be a huge task and equally dosn't need to break the bank either....
If you are looking for events and activities in and around Shropshire you can head over to our Schools Out For Summer Event Guide 2024
1. Go Geocaching
This is a brilliant way to explore new parts of your local area with the kids. Geocaching is essentially a modern-day treasure hunt: simply download the free app and follow the directions to the nearby location, to then find and log the hidden geocache. We have so much beautiful Countryside here in Shropshire and this is a great way to explore.
2. Become ‘Mad Scientists’ in the kitchen
It is really easy to make fun science experiments with ingredients found in the kitchen. Mix cornflour and water to make slime, or drop food colouring onto baking soda, and use a straw to drip white vinegar to create a bubbly volcanic eruption. If you plan in attempting the mentos in the bottle of coke, we recommend moving outside for that.
3. Visit free local museums
It takes just a quick look online to find many nearby museums with free entry which cater to families. Explore history, science, and culture during the bad weather, and take part in the free interactive events which many museums put on for kids. Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery are just one of the fantastic free to visit Museums we have right here in the heart of Shropshire and always have additional activities throughout the summer holidays.
4. Potato stamp art
A great way to use up any old potatoes, stamp art is a fun entertainment for the kids at home, completely for free. Just cut the potato in half (or anything else in the cupboard needing to be used up), cover with paint, and let the kids create their artwork. For older ones, let them carve out a shape in the potato for a patterned veggie stamp. Why not pin a huge paper muriel on the garden fence for the kids to decorate.
5. Free local events
Check the local council website for kid-friendly entertainment, such as crafting, library and sports days. Especially during the summer holidays, engaging with the local community in these events is a great way to do something different for free.
6. Obstacle course
Be inventive with things around the house! Use buckets, mops, tin cans and chairs to set out an obstacle course for the kids to let off some energy. A low prep, but highly entertaining activity inside or out with endless opportunities. Why not meet up at the local park with other parents and child and make a giant course.
7. Home cinema
Amplify those cosy film nights on the TV with fort making: use pillows and blankets to create a free evening-in with the kids. Grab popcorn and sweets from the cupboard for a no cost cinema experience at home. And remember theres nothing like introducing the kids to some old classics either.
8. Treasure hunt
An alternative to Geocaching, use pens and paper to create a free treasure hunt for the kids. A good way to get outside, hide a small reward and draw out a simple map of the surrounding area with a ‘X’ to mark the treasure. To involve the kids even more, get them to colour in the trees, rivers, and other landmarks, on the map, and wipe the map over with a used tea bag for an old-fashioned pirate treasure map feel.
9. Tie-dye old clothes
A great way to revamp unworn clothes, tie-dying is a free activity to entertain older kids. Tie elastic bands in small sections to the clothes, and submerge into a bucket with half water, half bleach. Let the clothes sit in the mixture for 10 minutes, remove the elastic bands and rinse thoroughly. Wash the clothes, and then the kids can show off their new colourful items, without having spent a penny.
10. Colours scavenger hunt
Simply shade colours onto some paper and get kids to find flowers, stones, and other outside materials, which match the colours. A fun and easy way for younger ones to learn their colours whilst spending time outside at absolutely no cost.
For those of you wanting to treat the kids during the holidays, take a look at a few suggestions we have been looking at...
On-the-go photo printing with enhanced portability and a pop of colour for added creativity. 
In today's digital age, the charm of holding a physical photograph remains timeless. Canal Toys brings this nostalgic joy to the modern era with their Photo Creator Instant Pocket Printer. This compact, user-friendly device, along with the new Photo Creator Instant Camera Colour Refill, empowers children to express their creativity, personalise their photos, and print memories on the go.
The Photo Creator Instant Pocket Printer is a gateway to endless creativity for children. Designed for portability, the Instant Pocket Printer fits comfortably into a pocket or small bag. Its Bluetooth connectivity allows it to sync effortlessly with smartphones and tablets, enabling quick and easy printing directly from devices. The rechargeable battery ensures the printer is always ready to capture and print precious moments, wherever you are. With no messy ink cartridges to deal with, this pocket-sized printer utilises thermal technology to produce crisp, vibrant prints of photos, labels, and lists with ease.
The Photo Creator Instant Pocket Printer includes a companion app, enabling users to enjoy AI-generated prints with ease. Users can seamlessly print photos from their phones and apply special effects from a variety of filters, stickers, frames, and text to add a personal touch prior to printing. Additionally, they can add personal touches post-printing with stickers and marker pens, elevating the printing experience and encourage them to explore their artistic side and develop their own style.
Whether capturing memories, organising tasks, or studying notes, this printer is your ultimate companion. Its versatility extends beyond photos—you can create custom stickers, mood boards, or print web pages for offline use. Furthermore, it doubles as a convenient labelling device for books and folders. With its myriad of functionalities, it empowers you to unleash your creativity in vibrant detail, anywhere, anytime.
Complementing the Instant Pocket Printer is this the Photo Creator Instant Camera Colour Refill. Just launched by Canal Toys its latest innovation for young photographers, designed to enhance the photo printing experience, making every printed memory vibrant and memorable and adds another layer of excitement to the photo printing process. Whether it's a birthday party, a day out with friends, or a family gathering, these refills will make every print stand out with vivid detail.
Designed with simplicity in mind, the Photo Creator Instant Camera Colour Refill is easy to load, minimising any hassle and allowing kids to focus on capturing 
and sharing their favourite moments. Each pack includes a generous supply of sheets, providing plenty of opportunities for children to print and enjoy their photos without frequent replacements.
The Photo Creator Instant Camera Colour Refills are the perfect companion to Canal Toys' Photo Creator Instant Pocket Printer. Together, they offer a seamless and enjoyable photo printing experience that encourages creativity and personalisation. Kids can use the printer and refills to create personalised photo albums, gifts, and keepsakes, fostering a love for photography and creative expression.
The Photo Creator Instant Pocket Printer
Contents: 1 sticky roll, 3 paper rolls, USB charger cable, stickers and 3 pens to customise your prints.
RRP: £29.99 - £39.99
Target Audience: 9 – 16 years old
Retailers: Available in various retailer including Smyths, Very & Amazon
The Photo Creator Instant Camera Colour Refill
Contents: 8 rolls of paper (2 blue, 1 yellow, 1 pink, 1 blue and 3 white) as well as 2 sheets of exclusive stickers. 
RRP: £9.99
Target Audience: 8+ years old
Retailers: Amazon
The Photo Creator instant pocket printer and Photo Creator Instant Camera Colour Refills are both part of Canal Toys Photo Creator Range. The Photo Creator Range offers a diverse range of products designed to inspire creativity and imagination and has established itself as the go-to choice for those seeking top-quality instant printing solutions.
As one of the leading manufacturers in creative play with products across Arts & Crafts and Youth Electronic categories, Canal Toys inspires children to unleash their creativity and imagination through innovative activity toys designed to make something truly unique.
Discover more about Canal Toys and explore their exciting range of products by visiting their website https://canaltoys.co.uk/
Rio Roller Rose Quad Roller Skates - Rose Black
Rio Roller Rose Skate Bag - Rose Gold
