As much as your kids will tell you they can’t wait for the Summer holidays, the words I’m bored will inevitably cross their lips!

Children belong to a very small world of fun and there is much to do to keep their holidays fun packed without you running yourself ragged.  Most of these child-friendly Guernsey activities are free or cost very little!

1.Explore Forts, Castles, Myths and Mysteries

It’s amazing how  children’s attitude to forts and castles change quickly when they discover that  they can run in and out, create their own adventures and let their imagination go wild.

2. The Little Chapel

The Little Chapel is one of the smallest churches in the world, and  lies in the parish of St Andrew in the middle of the island. The fairy tale like  chapel dates from the early 20th century it is made of seashells, pebbles and broken pieces of crockery great fun to explore.

3. Museum Visits

Every weekday at 2pm Guernsey Museum, Candie Gardens  offer craft sessions that involve turning rubbish into something beautiful or useful. Follow this by the tour of the museum. Castle Cornet also offers treasure trails for kids.

4. Discover an Island (without taking a boat!)

Potted meat sarnies, ginger beer and a mystery island, did it for Enid Blyton’s readers and there’s no reason why they shouldn’t do the same for our kids today!

Discover our own local Enid Blyton style Islands of Houmet Paradis (One of Victor Hugo’s favourite haunts)

Both these excursions depend on the tide (check tide timetables carefully before you set off).

Houmet Paradis- One of Victor Hugo’s favourites

Park  on the Northside of Bordeaux harbour in the North of the Island  and stroll along  the windblown heath of’ Cocagne. A picnic basket, wooden swords as well as a copy of Les Travailleurs de la mer  by Victor Hugo (the islet featured in the novel) for the parents, are  essential.

Lihou island – A hidden Paradise

Why not leave the car at home for even more of an adventure, catch the bus and make a day of it for only 60 pence each a journey!

Get off the bus at L’eree headland, stop for sandwiches or take a picnic, and then stroll down to the beginning of the quarter mile of cobbled walkway to cross the causeway.  Once on Lihou check out the ruins of the 12^th Century St Mary’s priory before  heading for  Venus Pool, a permanent rock pool so big and so deep you can swim in it whatever the tide. Lihou  is part of Guernsey’s Ramsar site which includes nature reserves and other attractions so don’t forget binoculars.

5. ‘Messing About’ On The Water

Nothing is more fun than ‘messing about’ on the water in the form of kayaking, coasteering  or windsurfing.  For more land based adventure try your hand at climbing and abseiling.  Contact  Outdoor Guernsey or Island Adventures for a touch of stream walking or bivouac camping and much more.   Guernsey surf school is open for all ages and abilities and offers a lot of fun and opportunities.

6. Fishing

Whether you enlist the help of a  professional fishing guide who can really help your kids to get them most out of their shore fishing experience and come home with the trophy, or choose the  complete DIY experience, there is nothing quite like filling your bucket up with bait and heading out to the shore.

Some of the most fun days  my children ever had was to knock limpets off of the rock (humainly of course!)  bait up and the dangle their hand held lines of the local pier, great sport and competition to count how many caboo’s were caught before releasing them at the end of the day

7. Cycling On The Rock

One of the very best ways to discover Guernsey. With wooded valleys, sweeping coast, miles of dedicated cycle paths and the 15 mph speed limit in the network of  Ruettes tranquilles (cyclists, pedestrians and walkers take priority over motor vehicles meaning this is an Island pastime for all the family.

8. A day on the Beach

An enjoyable afternoon rock pooling at low tide with a shrimping net  is a must.  However there is such a thing as ‘compassion for crabs’ and family guide lines to adhere to!  Basically catch it enjoy, observe and return it to its pool  soon as possible.  .

Beach games – many hours of fun getting a make shift team together from whoever is  on the beach that day enjoy rounders, Quick cricket, volleyball tag rugby or the simple Frisbee everything becomes a competition.

Build a Sandcastle- or sand boat, sand car….dreams of heading off to another world, complete with pebble dashboards and seaweed gear sticks!

The ultimate Guernsey beach build is a circular walled sea defence made with sand and rocks reinforced with seaweed. Hours of fun, the building takes place at just below the high water mark when the tide is out, with the aim that the ‘commander in chief’ (usually Dad)  and his comrades  defend the defence against the fast approaching high tide.  Needless to say the tide nearly always wins!

9. Park Life

Need a break from the beach the Sausmarez, Delancey Cambridge and Les Amarreurs parks  all offer hours of fun with large play areas suitable for all ages and open space to run wild. Enjoy an ice cream in the tea room, feed the ducks or take a walk.

10. Beau Sejour Leisure Centre

On a wet weather day head to the centre for an indoor swim in the 25m pool or take a ride on the flumes. A soft play area is also available for the younger child. 5-a-side size courts host a variety of sports including badminton, fencing, basketball and volleyball to name just a few plus squash courts also available.