Popular places fill up fast in the summer. If you’ve got a theme park, zoo or even a local farm on your list, it’s worth checking dates now. Some offer better prices if you book early, and it also gives you a rough idea of what your weeks will look like. Think about what actually works for your family. A full day out might sound fun until you’re pushing a buggy across a field while your five-year-old decides she’s too tired to walk. Staying close to home can work just as well. Woodland trails, splash parks, local events, even a good National Trust place with a café and decent toilets can be a win. Once you’ve got a few things sorted, it gives you something to plan around. Leaving everything open sounds nice in theory, but when the days stretch ahead with no plan, it can feel exhausting.

You don’t need a full timetable, but a bit of a pattern helps. School might be finished, but most children still like to know what’s happening next. And if you’ve got a baby, you’re probably already working around naps and feeds so your days naturally fall into some kind of order. It can help to have a few regular habits that break up the day. A walk in the morning, some TV while you sort things out or feed the baby, something creative or outdoors in the afternoon. 

This bit catches most people out. When kids are at home all day, they eat more and ask for snacks constantly. Add in a few days out and suddenly you’re spending way more than you’d planned on food. It’s worth stocking up on packed lunch bits and things you can grab easily. If you’re heading out, make sandwiches the night before, throw in a few snacks and fill some water bottles. Having your own bits sorted means you’re not stuck with overpriced food when everyone’s hungry. At home, try giving each day a rough food theme. Nothing complicated. Just things like wraps, pasta, finger food or picnic lunch. It gives you some direction when your brain’s a bit fried and gives your eldest a chance to help. And think ahead for dinners too. If you can batch cook even two or three meals before the holidays start, it makes a difference. Something like pasta sauce, a curry or chilli you can just heat up on busy days saves a lot of effort when everyone’s tired and the kitchen’s already a mess.

The holidays can get expensive without you even realising. Between petrol, entry tickets, extra snacks and last minute toys, the costs add up fast. Give yourself a rough weekly budget and split it up. Something like a set amount for a day out, a bit for extras like ice creams or crafts, and maybe a small top-up for home activities or garden bits. It helps you keep track so you’re not constantly wondering where all the money’s gone. Also look out for free or low-cost activities. Libraries, leisure centres and community groups often run events, and there’s usually more happening than you expect. Local Facebook pages or your library noticeboard are good places to start. Often it’s the simpler things that end up being the most fun.

If you’ve got a baby, you know how fast the days go. Use whatever bit of headspace you’ve got now to get some things lined up. Start a note on your phone with ideas. Make a folder for bookings or invites. Get a bag ready for days out so you’re not repacking every morning. Now’s the time to check summer clothes, swim bits and suncream too. That last heatwave might feel recent but your five-year-old has probably outgrown most of last year’s things. And baby sunhats and sandals have a habit of disappearing. Make a list and top up now so you’re not scrambling when the weather changes.Also worth thinking about what to do when it rains. Because you know it will. Have a few indoor options ready. A new sticker book, some baking bits, an easy craft saved on your phone. Even just a film, popcorn and a cosy blanket can turn a wet day into something enjoyable.