PACK YOUR SUITCASE FOR A GARDEN STAYCATION

With most holidays and family festivals cancelled and days out still a bit tricky, it looks like many of us will be spending the warmer (fingers crossed) months at home. Any other year, we'd all relish some downtime in our gardens but after already spending three months not venturing much beyond our four walls, staying close to home might have lost a little of its appeal.

HOW TO HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY AT HOME

However, we have a few fun ideas to share with you to create a happy holiday vibe in you very own back yard. It might not be quite the same as jetting off to distant shores but it will hopefully bring a smile to your little ones' faces and create some lovely memories during these strange times.

BRING OUT THE BUNTING & SET THE SCENE

First up, it's time to set the scene. Think bunting, balloons, even beach balls, perhaps. Pull up a sun lounger or two to lie back in style and don't forget a picnic blanket for the children to sit on. Bring out toys to play with and books, paper and colouring pencils for quieter moments. And a radio, too. There's nothing like fun summer songs to keep spirits high.

GARDEN GAMES AT THE KIDS' CLUB

There might not be as many children attending your garden kids' club but don't let that stop you from organising some games. Here are three of our favourites to get you started:

WHAT'S IN THE SUITCASE?

Children love a memory game and this is one that even the youngest members of the family can join in with. There are two different ways to play. Pack ten holiday items in a suitcase. Show them to the guesser and give them 30 seconds to memorise them before closing up the case. They've then got one minute to try and remember all ten. Or, show the ten items to the guesser and ask them to turn around while you remove one or two. They then have to quickly spot which items have disappeared. 

BASKET-BALL

A simple but fun fair-like idea is to hang a storage basket from a branch and give children three beanbags or small balls to throw in to the basket from 3 metres back - or closer/further away depending on the age and reach of your child. Get all three in the basket? Win a small prize!

TIC TAC TOE

A competitive game of tic tac toe (or noughts and crosses) never goes out of style. And we love a version that uses things that can be found in and around the garden and crafted with. Find ten small stones and paint five in one colour and five in another. These are your counters. You can either use a piece of paper for your grid, an old piece of tree trunk or even lines chalked on the ground. Take it in turns to place your coloured counter and see if you can get three in a row - tic tac toe!

MOCKTAILS & MINI BITES

If you're still thirsty after a cup of coffee from the Star Beans Coffee Shop and are a bit peckish even though you've had the world's most amazing pizza from the Piccolo Play Café, it's time for a pit stop at the Devon Market Stall.

How about serving up mocktails and mini bites? Big jugs of squash served with slices of fruit and fancy stirrers and fresh fruit skewers for a sweet treat. If you're still not full, you can always stop by Lolly & Scoop Ice Cream Shop for a mint cone with extra chocolate sauce and a wafer.

A SHADY SPOT FOR A SNOOZE

Our kids' teepees are the perfect place for a shady snooze while the sun is high in the sky or to shelter with a book while waiting for an evening of stargazing. If you have room for a small fire or a fire pit, we think toasting marshmallows is the perfect end to garden holiday, wouldn't you agree?