With the Summer Holidays just a few weeks away now here are some suggestions for occupying young minds during the long break:

Sunny Days

A Day on the Beach  With Aldeburgh and Southwold on our doorsteps it's easy to throw some swimming costumes and towels into the car and head for the beach. Aldeburgh, wiith it's pretty shigled beach is a great day out and you have Orford Castle and Orfod Ness National Trust Nature Reserve close by and Havergate Island RSPB bird sancturary.  Southwold boasts a long sandy beach with it's well known, historic pier and pretty town centre.  There's also crabbing to do further up the beach and the beautiful Walberswick is a short walk away.

Castles  Most of us love a castle.  I have already mentioned Orford Castle with it's maze of passages to explore.  Framlingham Castle is another great day out and has events on throughout the Summer with 'hands on' activities for children. 

Other Landmark Places  The newly renovated Tide Mill and museum and Buttrum's Windmill inWoodbridge is a good trip even if it's rainy.  Across the river is the Anglo-Saxon burial ground of Sutton Hoo operated by the National Trust.

Picnics You can take a picnic to most places these days. A great opportunity to get the children involved in making sandwiches, choosing fillings and suggesting other food items to take too.  You can even make some fairy cakes or biscuits to take with you.  On a warm day there's nothing better than relaxing outside with a good picnic!

Rainy Days 

Build a den  It doesn't have to be messy and chaotic - If you have a table or some chairs and a large rug, you have a den.  The children can take their favourie toys in there and have an 'indoor picninc', if you can bear it, leave it up in case it rains the next day!

Arts and Crafts  Keep it simple - if you have a large wipeable table covering of any description lay it out on the table and let the children get all their sticking and pens and pencils out.  If you supply biscuits and drinks it should keep them occupied for some time!

Cooking  Always a winner.  Again keep it simple - sponge cake, fairy cakes, biscuits, tray bakes, flapjacks, cheese straws... the list is endless.  If you have made cakes or biscuits, after they have cooked you then have another activity - decoration.

Enjoy your Summer and for events taking place in your area have a look at thebestof Woodbridge