Rainy Day Activities
Apply for a Blue Peter badge
Children aged between five and 15 can apply for a Blue Peter badge. There are several types, including the iconic blue badge (awarded for a creative contribution such as a poem, artwork or recipe), the silver badge (for acts of kindness) and the green badge (for helping to protect the planet). Badge recipients also get free entry to hundreds of attractions nationwide, including theme parks, zoos and castles.
The Summer Reading Challenge
Head to your local library, sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge, and return home with a selection of books to keep kids entertained. Keep a record of the books you’ve read (you’ll be given a little booklet) and collect a sticker each time you finish one. You can also sign up online and unlock special digital badges when you reach your goal.
Create a Comic Book
The National Literacy Trust has partnered with The Beano to challenge children to create their own comic book. Download the activity pack for a complete guide, including how to use speech bubbles and draw characters.
BBC 500 Words
The UK’s biggest story-writing competition for 5–11-year-olds returns this autumn. It will be open for entries on Tuesday 23 September. All children need to do is write a story they would love to read in 500 words or fewer. Get started over the summer and you’ll be ready to go when the competition opens. Details here: 500 Words 2025.
Out & About
Free museums, galleries & festivals
Days out can be eye-wateringly expensive, but there are many free events throughout the summer. Martin Lewis’s Money Saving Expert website has listings of free museums and art galleries across the UK, as well as a guide to free festivals and carnivals. Pack a picnic to keep costs down.
Charity shop challenge
Give the kids some pocket money and head to your local charity shops to see what treasure you can find. To make things more interesting, you could set a challenge – for example, to find the best dog- or cat-related item.
Become a nature detective
The Woodland Trust has excellent resources for learning about trees and wildlife. You can print tree ID guides or download the free Tree ID app to identify British trees. There’s also a year-round guide to sustainable foraging.
- Lead picture credit: Janko Ferlič on Unsplash
