Making the Most of the Indian Summer

Typical, isn’t it? The long-awaited school summer holidays are spent checking the weather forecast and hoping the ominous overcast clouds might clear. Festivals, camping trips and bank holidays are a wash out. Then, the week the kids return to school – out comes the sun!

The Great British weather has once again brought us an Indian summer. Weather forecasts are predicting the hottest autumn since the 1940s! The kids might be back in the classroom, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still make the most of the glorious weather. Here’s a few ideas to make your Indian summer one to remember.

After-school barbecues

Although usually reserved for weekends and bank holidays, there’s nothing to stop you from enjoying a barbeque dinner mid-week. Save yourself time by prepping food the night before – marinate chicken and make up a big bowl of potato salad. There’s no need to actually barbeque everything (unless you fancy the challenge!) – simply place chicken skewers, sausages or burgers under the grill and get out in the garden to enjoy the balmy evening. The kids will love eating al fresco after a long day in stuffy classrooms. They could even get to work on their homework outside too.

Green fingers

A lovely sunny evening is the perfect opportunity to prepare your garden for the winter months. Any preening, lopping and pruning that may have been put off during the summer holidays can be done now, before plants and trees start to die back. Gardening is a great form of exercise and has been proven to reduce stress, the ideal evening pass-time after a busy day in the office or classroom.

Try a new sport

The winter sporting season has begun, meaning rugby, football and netball are back on the school agenda. If your children are keen to join the school sports teams, or just improve their game during PE, make the most of the warm weather to practise. Encourage them to join after school sports teams, where they can learn new skills and make friends.

It will be much easier to pick up the basics while the sun is shining, before teams start playing in leagues during the cold winter months. Your child will be able to build up their confidence and fit in with the team in the warm weather, as well as getting some much needed exercise outdoors.

Earn your keep

If your kids have an allowance or pocket money, now is their chance to earn a little more! There are plenty of outdoor jobs they could help with on the house, such as cleaning the windows, washing the cars, clearing out gutters (for older, more responsible children), varnishing outdoor furniture, pressure washing the drive or repainting surfaces.

These jobs need doing in preparation for winter, so that your home is ready for the inevitable cold weather. Warm autumn evenings are the ideal opportunity for the kids to tick a few chores off the list and a little more pocket money, and it saves you a job too.