How to Prepare Your Home for the Summer Holidays

You don’t have to go on holiday when the summer term comes around. You can have just as much fun at home with your family. You must take some time to prepare your home for the summer holidays so that you and your kids are ready to jump straight into having fun!

This will mean that you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is ready for your kids to spend their summer holidays in and that it is safe and hazard-free. You likely have some time off, so it will be nice for you to spend time with your kids and also have some fun yourself, rather than trying to use your time off cleaning. Here are some top tips to help you make a plan. 

Declutter your home

Decluttering your home is one of the best tasks to start with. It is likely that, over time, your home has accumulated stuff. When you have kids, this can be a lot. Especially as your children get older, you may have old toys floating around. You may have also cluttered your home with decor and other items.

The summer holidays are a great time for a refresh. Use this as an opportunity to assess your home, what you like, what you don’t, what you use, what does not get used, and so on. You may also want to consider how you can make it more safe for your children, as they will be at home for the summer and likely playing games and running around. If you have fancy or expensive items in your home, now might be the time to relocate them. 

Clean your home 

It can feel amazing when you give your home a big clean. When you and your family are about to be off school and work, and spending more time at home, it can make you feel much better when you live in a clean and clear space. A cluttered and dirty home can lead to hazards, and health issues and can be mentally stressful.

It can make everyone feel good and lighten the mood if the house is in good condition. This will make your summer holidays at home much more enjoyable. It will also make staying on top of the cleaning each week much easier when you have done a big clean and give yourself a clean slate.

Remove any hazards and fix issues

Now is a great time to review your home for any potential hazards, before your children are going to be there 24/7. This might mean any big items that could fall, any sharp edges or corners that could be bumped into, wires that could be tripped over, mold or damp, broken windows or doors, and more. The last thing you want is to spend your summer holidays in the emergency room and see your children in pain. Kids are going to want to run around and have fun, so make sure your home is safe and free from hazards.

Make your home secure

Make sure you check around your home not just for hazards, but also for security. Check all the windows and doors to make sure they open and shut properly, and have any child safety locks on them. You may also want to check any gates and doors you have in the backyard, especially if they open up onto a main road or you have a shed full of dangerous tools that you don’t want your children to touch. Children are mischievous and will try to open doors and windows and pick up anything they can get their hands on! You may also choose to brief your children on safety. If your children will be outside playing, you may also get a secure fence and security cameras. 

Get caught up on laundry

The last thing you want to do is spend your summer in hot winter clothes and try to do all the laundry. Spend some time before the summer holidays putting away winter clothes, getting out your summer clothes, and getting everything washed and put away. As a parent, laundry can be challenging and often get on top of you. If you can prioritize it before summer, then you can give yourself one less chore over the holidays, and some cool clothes to wear! 

Clear and prepare your backyard 

Your backyard is going to be the best place that your children can spend their summer, so you want to make it an extension of your home. Clear out all the clutter and debris in your backyard. You may want to trim bushes, chainsaw down trees, and clear up any tools you have lying around. Create a nice safe and open space for your children to play games, run around, and have fun! 

Stock your home with activities

Consider what type of activities you and your children might want to do together over the summer. Speak with your children and come up with a list of activities that you all would like to do. Some you can all do, and some you can do individually. These might include:

• Arts and crafts
• Ball games 
• Toy cars or trains
• Marbles 
• Board games 
• Inflatable swimming pool

Update your decor 

Some people love to update their decor according to the season. If you find you have a lot of Fall and Winter decor around your home, then now might be the time to remove it and replace it with some bright-coloured summer decor. This can help to create a nice atmosphere and start your summer off on the right foot. Not to mention brighter colors, in addition to a decluttered space, will let in a lot of natural sunlight. 

Consider adding seascape paintings for a refreshing coastal touch that complements the summer vibe.

Summer holidays should be all about having fun. There are lots of things you can do when you are spending your summer holidays at home. Make sure you set yourself up for success by decluttering your home, giving it a good clean, and doing all you can to prepare yourself and your home for all the fun you are going to have!