WITH the school term winding down and the six-week holidays looming, panic is setting in for mums across the country.
How on earth are mums supposed to entertain the kids for 42 solid days without losing our minds, our patience or half our bank balance?
That’s exactly what one frazzled mum asked on , and boy, did other parents come through.
In a now-viral video, @_ohcaroline put out a heartfelt plea: “Mums, what do you do to survive the six-week school holiday? I want tried and tested, genius ideas.”;
And the TikTok tribe didn’t disappoint.
Mums from all over shared their best , tips and tricks, from free days out to clever routines that keep things ticking over and stop everyone climbing the walls.
We’ve pulled together the top ideas to help you actually enjoy the this year.
Free activities
Don’t assume you have to spend big to keep them happy.
Loads of mums raved about the sheer amount of available if you know where to look.
One genius suggestion was to apply for a Blue Peter badge.
Earning one is a fun project in itself, and once they’ve got it, kids get free entry to hundreds of UK attractions including zoos, and museums.
It’s also worth checking your local council or community centre, where there are often free schemes, drop-in sessions or local events for families.
And if you want a ready-made list of freebies, check out the Sun Club’s ultimate .
Wednesday’s off
One mum swears by getting dad, or any extra adult, to take a regular day off midweek.
She explained: “We got my partner to take every Wednesday off for a . It doesn’t have to be fancy, just a park trip, pond-dipping, or a .
“It broke the week up and made a huge difference.”;
It doesn’t have to be dad – grandparents, aunties, or another mum friend could do the trick.
And teaming up with another family means the kids get playmates and you get backup. Everyone wins!
Big spend day
Another mum’s golden rule was to only have one “big spend”; day a week. That means just one outing to a paid attraction like a zoo or soft play.
The rest of the time it’s walks, baking, movie days, maybe a cheeky shop trip or a playdate if you’re feeling social.
Sdhe added: “My kids are used to it and honestly they’re really chilled. We’ve always done it this way.”;
Simple, low-cost days keep expectations, and budgets, in check and make that one treat day even more exciting.
Movie marathon
If screen time’s a worry, turn it into a full-blown themed movie marathon.
One mum shared how they started at Snow White and worked their way through every Disney film in order of release, with themed dinners and snacks to match.
For Alice in Wonderland, they threw a tea party.
For Princess and the Frog, they made jambalaya.
And the best bit is the kids rated each film afterwards, turning it into a fun activity the whole family looked forward to.
She planned the meals, so it wasn’t pricey, just creative. She said: “We did about three films a week and it lasted months.”;
Themed days
A few mums use themed days to give the week some structure and help avoid the dreaded “what are we doing today?”; chaos.
Think Walking Wednesdays where you explore a new park or trail, Arty Fridays for crafts and painting, or Simple Sundays where you all crash out with a film or build a den in the living room.
It gives the week rhythm without becoming rigid, and gives kids something to look forward to.
Invite friends over
Sometimes, the best is old school.
“My four love just having friends over to play or even just playing outside on the road,”; said one mum.
She keeps it manageable by only having a couple of friends over at a time, but says it makes a huge difference.
And in summer, when there’s no homework or packed lunches to stress over, it’s the perfect time to let them socialise.
Rainy days
Every good survival guide needs a Plan B for rainy days. Mums recommend prepping a few go-to indoor activities.
Think baking, builds, movie afternoons, , museum trips or indoor play centres.
The key is to plan ahead. Having a few ideas ready means less panic when the heavens open and less temptation to fork out £30 for a soft play session out of desperation.
Ultimately, the mums of TikTok agree, the don’t need to be perfect or packed with entertainment.
With a little planning, some , and realistic expectations, you can survive the six weeks and maybe even enjoy them.
