Make the Most of the Last Two Weeks of the Summer Holidays

The summer holidays always seem to disappear quickly. With just a couple of weeks left before the children head back to school, here are some ideas for getting out of the house and making a few more memories around Hounslow and the surrounding area.

1. Boston Manor Park | Free / Cheap There is plenty happening during the final weeks of August. Families can try a Bat Walk on 24 August, or join free nature walks exploring butterflies, aquatic life and foraging from 24 to 26 August.
2. Bedfont Lakes Country Park | Free Pack a picnic, take the bikes or scooters and spend a few hours exploring the lakes, woodland and wildlife. There is also a Junior Explorers Camp for children aged 8+ from 25 to 27 August.
3. Osterley Park | Free to explore the parkland A brilliant local spot for a family walk, bike ride or picnic. There is loads of space for children to run around, plus woodland, lakes and the National Trust house and gardens if you want to make a bigger day of it.
4. Hounslow Urban Farm | Paid Meet pigs, goats, alpacas, reptiles, ponies and plenty more. The farm is open throughout the summer from 10am to 5pm. A family ticket is currently £30.
5. Gunnersbury Park Museum | Free Combine a run around the park with a visit to the museum. Both the park and museum are free to enter, and there are several free exhibitions running during the holidays.
6. Try one of Hounslow's library activities | Free / Low cost Hounslow libraries still have plenty happening before school returns, including crafts at Heston, Osterley, Hounslow, Isleworth and Meadowbank libraries. Look out for carnival crafts on 29 August and more activities continuing into early September.
7. Go swimming | Cheap family day out Try one of the local leisure centres, or head a little further to Hampton Pool for an outdoor swim while the weather is still warm.
8. Hobbledown Heath | Treat day If you want one bigger day out, Hobbledown Heath in Hounslow has indoor and outdoor adventure activities and is a good option when you want something that can occupy the children for several hours.
9. Cranford Country Park or Hounslow Heath | Free Turn an ordinary walk into an adventure. Take bikes, a football or make a nature scavenger hunt and see who can spot the most birds, insects, flowers or unusual trees.
10. Walk along the Thames | Free Start around Old Isleworth and walk along the river towards Richmond. Stop for a picnic, feed yourselves rather than the ducks, and let the children choose somewhere for an ice cream on the way.
11. Have a £10 Family Challenge Give the children a £10 budget and let them plan an afternoon themselves. They have to choose where to go, what to take, how to get there and what food or treats they can buy without going over budget.
12. Let the children choose the day Finally, ask them. Give each child one day during the last two weeks where they get to choose the activity. Sometimes the days they remember most are the simplest ones.

You do not have to travel far or spend a fortune to make the last part of the holidays count. A picnic, a bike ride, a swim or discovering somewhere new together can be enough to finish the summer on a high.