It can be tough knuckling down to school after the long summer holidays, but October half-term is nearly here and it'll be time for a break. Want to spend some time with your teen while they’re off? We’ve got some ideas to inspire you.
Go to the cinema
If the weather's bad, it can be lovely to cosy up at the cinema and watch something on the big screen. New releases planned for October include The Wild Robot, Venom - the last dance, Joker Folie a Deux and Back to the Future 2 (35th anniversary edition). We'll have to wait until 8 November for Paddington in Peru.
Pumpkin Picking
What better way to celebrate Halloween than by finding a local farm to go pumpkin picking? It’s a great way for your teen to find out that pumpkins don’t just appear washed and cut on supermarket shelves! Search google and you’re bound to find a local farm offering Pick Your Own Pumpkins. There might be a small fee, but it won’t break the bank and you can all enjoy fresh pumpkin food afterwards – such as pumpkin soup, pumpkin rice, pumpkin pie or pumpkin curry. Don’t forget to make Jack o’Laterns with the pumpkin shells afterwards.
Adrenaline junkie?
If you can bear the thrill of the ride, why not make a family outing to a local theme park? It's a chance for your teen to let loose and release any pent up energy. Many parks offer family-themed events if you want to include younger siblings too. Check out Alton Towers, Botanical Garden Wales, Chessington World of Adventures, Diggerland Durham, Flamingoland, Guilliver's world, Lightwater Valley Family Adventure Park Shrek's Adventure, Thorpe Park or the UK oldest theme park, Blackgang Chine - to name but a few.
Go zip lining
If your teen’s a bit of a daredevil, they’ll love soaring tree to tree and taking in the views below. Go Ape has locations all over the UK, and there are other aerial adventure parks too. As well as the adrenaline rush, they’ll enjoy terrific views of the turning trees at this time of year
Go out for a coffee
Creating special times doesn’t have to be expensive or dramatic. An hour or so, sitting together without interruptions can be a real joy. Speciality teas and coffees are also a treat, especially if you don’t have a coffee maker at home. And why not indulge in a luxurious slice of cake while you’re there?
Dive into a book
Reading for pleasure is a wonderful way to escape without moving anywhere at all. Any type of reading helps improve vocabulary and communication, so maybe your teen could dive into a book this holiday. For those that don't like to read, listening to an audiobook or podcast could offer an alternative with similar benefits.
Many books (free eBooks)
Visiting a book shop can be a trove of unexpected pleasures. Some of most loved book shops in the UK include Barter Books (Alnwick), Blue Bear (Surrey), The Bookshop by the sea (Aberystwyth), The Bookshop Wigtown (with a mile of shelves), Gosh Comics (Soho), Leakeys (Inverness), Nantwich (Cheshire) and Topping & Company (Edinburgh),
Shop together
If shopping’s your bag, a day out at the shopping centre could prove a good bonding experience with your teen. Whether it’s window shopping, getting ahead with Christmas gifts or treating them to some new autumn outfits, it’s a day out they’re bound to love. With eateries and entertainment on site, there are other distractions too - and maybe even some early Christmas decorations to admire!
Interests and hobbies
If you’re wondering what other things your teen can do throughout the year that build their character, develop skills, help them stand out from others and improve their chances of success at interviews, all while doing things they enjoy, we’ve compiled plenty of ideas, whether your teen’s the adventurous sort or prefers quieter activities. Do take a look at: The Parents’ Guide to helping your teen stand out
We always love to hear from you, so do let us know if there are any subjects you’d like us to chat to you about. Stay safe and keep happy, Vanessa and Darius - info@theparentsguideto.co.uk
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