This week the kids break up from school for the summer holidays and this gives all of us the perfect opportunity to find some great vintage inspired fun ways to keep them occupied for the next 6 weeks. Rather than have them on the computer, glued to the TV or playing phone apps all summer I like to use vintage inspired ideas – it gets them outside and reminds me of my own fun childhood. All these products and ideas are available online now!
1. A teepee in the garden (or indoors if its raining) is a children’s activity no brainer. These hand-made ones via mummy makers using vintage fabrics are just lovely. Kids love a tent whether its a full blown camping experience or sheets over a couple of chairs and these look gorgeous, can be packed away easily and will last forever and ever.
Wish Upon a Stitch vintage fabric teepee
2. Its always fun to play vintage games – I love this retro marble game. So colourful and simple and hours of competitive fun guaranteed!
H is for Home vintage marble game
3. A summer essential for anyone who was a child in the 70’s and 80’s is a space hopper, great fun whether you are a kid or an adult. New versions are now available in a giant size, normal size plus various colours and designs – you can even get one as a toy for your dog!!! For me though, it has to be orange, orange ORANGE! These toys didn’t last well (I still remember mine getting its last puncture that pushed it past repair in the late 70’s) so go for a new version as true undamaged vintage ones are few and far between…
Hawkins Bazaar Space Hopper
4. Travelling somewhere this summer? My childhood journeys were not complete without a set of I-Spy books and my kids still love them today.
I-Spy book from Vintage Treasures
I-Spy book from Vintage Treasures
5. Need a club house for your child’s summer gang? A Tree house is an expensive purchase but is for life (or that’s what I’ve been telling my husband) and there’s some great ones available for all budgets plus your child will love you forever! I’ve recently fallen in love with Hobbit Holes – they are just so cute and kitsch in a Tolkienesque way! Now to just to come up with a password and gang name…
6. Fancy a bit of science, building and quiet time? Children have been creating radios using a Crystal radio kit since the 1910’s and they require no batteries or electricity. Just patience and a child who loves to find out how things work.
Crystal radio kit from Museum Selection
7. Gardens in the summer can become racing tracks and race courses – a pedal car (eBay always has a great vintage choice) or a push along horse are adorable choices to get them whizzing along. I love this 1960’s Triang mini Jaguar E Type – groovy baby!
EBay vintage pedal car from sheridan1608
Your Vintage Life vintage push along horse
8. Get them creating a Lemonade stand while its hot – there are lots of great US guides online with printable kits available to make them look amazing. This book and pack from Amazon is a great start and gives them the basics – the rest is up to their imagination!
Amazon lemonade stand kit
9. An tea party is always a lovely way to spend an afternoon…whether its tea for the dolls or a teddy bears picnic, tea and cake with an adorable childs tea set is always a lovely distraction whatever the weather.
Vintage childs tea set from MyVintageToyTeaSets.com
10. Wooden skittles are a great outdoor game for the summer. I love this set of shabby vintage ones from Etsy and easy for all ages of children to play together.
Skittle set from PaperCreationsbyDeb via Etsy
The summer holidays give us memories that last a lifetime so this summer grab your kids (or borrow a few) and go have some retro summer fun. Give them something different to talk about when they get back to their friends in September, something that will have them grinning from ear to ear.
Sarah Gorlov is the owner of creative consultancy Blue Sky VM and is a stylist, blogger, vintage lover and charity shop addict.
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Competition time!
Would you like to win this gorgeous hamper, perfect for summer picnics? Inside the vintage wicker hamper is a hand crocheted rug, a 1960s yellow insulated jug, 2 Tupperware style beakers, a 1970s Thermos soup jug, 4 1960s yellow plastic eggcups, 4 1970s yellow melamine bowls and a retro board game. What you have to do:
1.Follow our blog.This can be done by subscribing or by following via BlogLovin (see links on side of page)
2.Leave a comment to any post throughout the month (you must leave your email address so we can contact you if you win (this isn’t shared with our readers)
3.Share the competition with your friends on Facebook or Twitter.
The winner will be drawn on the 20th August and will be notified that week. Good luck!
