✍️ Keep Older Kids Busy This Summer: 5 Screen-Free Activities That Actually Work

The six-week summer holidays can feel never-ending especially when you’ve got older kids or tweens at home who are too old for soft play, but not quite ready to fully entertain themselves.

If your days are starting to sound like “I’m bored” on repeat or you’re just keen to cut down on screen time - this is for you!

We’ve rounded up five screen-free activities for older kids that are fun, creative, and perfect for pet lovers. They’ll keep your child busy, give you a break, and even create some lovely shared moments along the way.

🧶 1. Make Your Own Dog Lead Kit 🐾

Let’s start with a crowd favourite (and our personal favourite too): our DIY Dog Lead Kit.

Designed for kids aged 10+ (with a little adult guidance if needed), this mindful crafting kit is the perfect summer holiday activity. It uses a Japanese braiding technique called kumihimo, which is repetitive, relaxing, and super satisfying.

Children love seeing their lead come to life, and they’ll finish with something they can actually use - whether it’s for their own pup or a gift for a dog-loving friend.

It ticks every box:

• Encourages focus and patience

• Builds confidence and creativity

• Eco-friendly and made in the UK

• A brilliant screen-free activity for older kids

🛍️ Shop the DIY Dog Lead Kit here

🐶 2. Start a Pet-Themed Journal or Comic Strip

If your child loves drawing or storytelling, a pet-themed journal or comic strip is a great way to inspire creativity.

They could:

• Write stories from their dog’s point of view

• Design a comic strip of their daily walk

• Record funny things their pet does each day

• Make a scrapbook with photos, stickers, and sketches

It’s a simple way to encourage writing, drawing, and imaginative thinking without it feeling like schoolwork.

🥾 3. Plan a Dog Walk Scavenger Hunt

Turn an ordinary walk into an adventure! Create a scavenger hunt with things to spot or collect - feathers, paw prints, different leaf shapes, or even other dog breeds.

You can even build in tasks like:

• Teach your dog a new trick

• Count how many dogs you see

• Sketch something from nature when you get home

Perfect for burning off energy and sparking curiosity.

🍪 4. Bake Your Own Dog Treats

Kids love baking, and dogs love snacks - win-win!

Try a simple recipe like:

• Peanut butter and banana biscuits

• Sweet potato and oat chews

• Frozen yogurt and blueberry bites (great for hot days!)

You could even get your child to design the packaging, make a label, and gift them to neighbours or dog friends. It’s fun, practical and gives them a sense of ownership.

👗 5. Host a Pet Fashion Show

Get creative and silly by turning the living room into a runway. Use your dog's existing wardrobe to dress them up (safely and comfortably, of course).

You could even:

• Set themes (beachwear, royal dog, superhero!)

• Make scorecards for family members

• Record it as a mini video to share

It’s a brilliant confidence booster and guaranteed to bring laughs.

💡 Why Screen-Free Activities Matter

Screen-free activities give kids a chance to slow down, think creatively, and build real-world skills all while making memories that last.

Crafting, baking, and exploring the outdoors are especially powerful for tweens who crave independence but still benefit from gentle structure.

🎁 Ready to Get Started?

Order your DIY Dog Lead Kit now and make mindful crafting part of your summer holiday magic.

📦 Fun, easy to follow, and designed to keep hands busy and minds calm — it’s a brilliant gift for your child and your dog.

👉 Shop the Kit