Summer is here, School is out for two long months, Stay calm!

We have the Mykidstime A-Z guide to surviving the School Summer Holidays!!!

If you have any more ideas or suggestions to add to this please let us know.

ART and ADVENTURE- Check out the Summer events and activities at Hugh Lane Gallery. Entry is free and there are Kids workshops, tours and activities.

BEACH- Its Summertime, so trips to the Beach are essential! While we are graced with an abundance of family friendly sandy beaches in Dublin North, there are some spectacular one's only a short drive away! Our Favourites are Donabate and Portmarnock in North Dublin.

CAMPS- We have the most comprehensive Summer Camp information in Dublin North. Many camps run right throughout the Summer and the choice of camps are superb, with sports, film, dancing and music, there is something to suit every child's tastes.

DINING OUTDOORS- Food always tastes nicer outdoors! Pack a picnic for days out or even in the garden. We have some delicious picnic recipes. Also you can't beat a BBQ on a summers evening. Keep an eye out in local supermarkets for special offers on BBQ essentials, I've seen a good few. Has anyone else noticed how kids tend to clear their plates when they eat outside?

EVENTS- Keep an eye on our events pages for whats happening around Dublin North this Summer. From shows and performances to workshops, festivals and picnics, there are some great family friendly events taking place this Summer in Dublin.

FRIENDS - Organise playdates so the kids can keep in touch with their school friends! If you're entertaining your own kids whats another one or two! Chances are they will entertain themselves and you can arrange for your kids to visit their friends house in return for a change of scenery!

GAMES- Plan a games day. Arrange with family and friends and visit a local park or green and have a sports day! Five-a-Side Football, Rounders, Egg and Spoon Races or whatever you prefer! Pick up some cheap prizes or trophies in an Euro Shop and have a "prizegiving" and picnic afterwards.

HOLIDAYS- If you're holidaying at home or abroad, enjoy! If you haven't booked anything yet, take a look at what France Outdoors has to offer.Dont forget to check out the other regions Mykidstime covers, if you are visiting these areas, for things to do with the Kids.

IMAGINATION- Play pretend and use your imagination! Visit the African Plains in the Zoo and pretend to be on safari,camp out the back garden and pretend you're in the desert or the jungle. The list is endless!

JUGGLING- Acrobats and Clowns.  The Summer Sensational  is coming to town this July!! With performances, workshops and displays, this festival is one you dont want to miss!

KITCHEN - Let the Kids in and get involved! We have loads of  tasty family receipes, why not let the kids try a few ( with supervision, of course!) Its a great way to get children to try new foods if they have helped prepare it and also helping prepare a three course meal can entertain children for a whole afternoon!

LISTS - Search our activities listings and check out our Top Ten Things To Do in Dublin North and our Rainy Day Idea's. Decide which places you would like to visit this Summer and make a list! I do this and hang it on the fridge to remember and aim to visit one a week.

MEMORY COLLAGE/ SCRAPBOOK- Keep mementos from your trips this summer, take plenty of photos, collect shells and stones, pick flowers. Let the kids pick their favourites and make a big, bright collage for their bedroom walls or a scrapbook. This will keep the kids busy for hours throughout the summer and is great for winding down time after a day out or on a rainy day afternoon.

NATURE- Check out our local Nature Walks and Nature Activities for Kids.

OUTINGS- Take a look at our suggestions for Summer Family Outings.

PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS- The perfect summer day! Visit one of the many playgrounds in Dublin North and Dublin North County, let the kids tire themselves out and then relax with a picnic.

QUEUES- During July and August it is hard to avoid queues when visiting the top tourist attractions in Dublin. If you're planning such an outing see if its possible to pre-book or otherwise get up early and be the first there!

RAINY DAYS - Fingers crossed they will be few and far between, however, there is bound to be a few. We have Rainy Day activities for you to do, both out and about and at home.

SWIMMING - In the pool or in the sea, you have to swim as much as possible in the Summertime. Many local swimming pools extend and increase their family swim times during the holidays, check out local swimming pools for more information.

TRANSPORT - Bus, Train, Dart or The Luas, if you're heading out for the day this Summer, leave the car at home and go with public transport! Its much more exciting than the car for the little people and it saves the hassle of finding parking!

USEFUL INFORMATION- You will find everything you need to keep the kids entertained here at Mykidstime, the only other information you need is an accurate weather forecast!

VISIT- The places you never think to visit! Be a tourist in Dublin, hop on an open top tour bus, check out the musuems and gallery's or visit Dublin's Historical Buildings and tell your kids about Dublin's History.

WAX MUSEUM- The Wax Museum has reopened so go and treat yourselves and the kids!

eXhausted,Yawn,ZZZZZZ- Summer is a time to relax and recharge, with all these suggestions to entertain the kids, fingers crossed they will sleep a little better and a little longer giving mums and dads a bit more rest too....... Enjoy your Summer!