What to Do With Kids This Summer (When They’re 10 & 14)
Whilst this post might feel a bit niche, if you’ve got one child who still loves a bit of play and another who’s halfway to adulthood (or of a similar age/gap), summer can feel like a constant juggling act. The good news? There are loads of activities that work for both ages, without you spending a fortune or planning like a cruise director.
This list is designed for UK families and real life: mixed moods, mixed budgets, and those days when you also need to get things done.
The trick with a 10 & 14 age gap
The sweet spot is activities that give your 14-year-old some independence (and dignity), while still being fun and achievable for your 10-year-old.
Look for:
- A clear goal (a challenge, a score, a “mission”)
- Choice (each child gets a say)
- A role for each of them (leader/helper, planner/photographer)
Easy at-home ideas (low prep, low spend)
1) The “Sibling Challenge Hour”
Set a timer for 60 minutes and do 5 mini challenges. Keep it light and silly.
- Paper plane distance challenge
- Tallest Lego tower
- “Draw each other in 2 minutes”
- Keepy-uppy record
- Indoor scavenger hunt (you can write the list in 2 minutes)
- These outdoor play ideas are also fab!
2) Cook One Meal a Week (with roles)
This is brilliant for confidence and it genuinely helps you.
- Your 14-year-old leads the recipe
- Your 10-year-old chooses the theme (tacos, breakfast-for-dinner, picky-bits picnic)
- You supervise and do the boring safety bits
3) Photo Walk + Edit-Off
Pick a theme and head out for 30 minutes.
- Theme ideas: “summer colours”, “doors”, “shadows”, “things shaped like hearts”
- Everyone picks their best 3 photos
- Quick edit (even basic phone editing)
- Vote for a winner
4) Back Garden Cinema Night
Let them each choose one film and make it a double feature.
- DIY tickets
- Homemade popcorn bar
- Blankets and fairy lights if you’ve got them
5) Tournament Week
Choose 3 games and keep a simple scoreboard.
- Mario Kart-style rotation
- Card games
Out-and-about ideas that don’t have to cost a fortune
6) The “£10 Each” Day
Give them a small budget and let them plan one part of the day.
- One chooses the snack stop
- One chooses the activity
- You choose the boundaries (time, travel distance)
7) Bike Ride With a Destination Treat
The destination is the motivation. We like bike riding around National Trust Venues as we have a membership, which makes for a super cheap day out.
- A café
- A park
- A beach
- A viewpoint
8) Museum With a Mission
Museums can be a hard sell for teens — so make it a challenge.
- Find 10 weird objects
- Pick 3 things you’d put in your own mini exhibition
- Take photos of your favourite textures/patterns
9) Woods/Beach Day With a Purpose
A “purpose” stops it becoming 10 minutes of fun then boredom.
- Rock pooling bingo
- Den building
- Nature scavenger hunt
- Geocaching (if you’re into it)
When you need to work (or just need calm)
10) The simple 3-block day plan
This keeps the day moving without you having to entertain constantly.
- Morning: one small job (15 minutes) + one independent activity
- Afternoon: out-of-house or active time
- Evening: family reset (walk, game, or film)
11) “Grown-up” jobs that actually feel good
These work especially well for 14-year-olds.
- Plan a picnic (list + budget)
- Batch-make snacks for the week
- Organise one drawer or shelf
- Wash trainers
- Create a playlist for a family drive
12) Quiet-time options for both ages
- Audiobook + sketching
- Journal prompts
- Puzzle books
- Mindful colouring (yes, even teens — if you don’t call it that)
The ‘I’m bored’ emergency list (instant wins)
Save these for the moments you can’t think.
- Make a snack you’ve never made before
- Design a holiday logo for our family
- 20-minute room reset, then choose a reward
- Teach me something you know that I don’t
A quick reminder (for you, not them)
You don’t need to fill every minute. A bit of boredom is often the doorway to creativity — and you’re allowed to choose the easy option sometimes.
If you’ve got a go-to activity that works for your 10 and 14 year old, I’d love to hear it — share it in the comments so we can all steal each other’s best ideas.
K Elizabeth xoxox
