As we enter half-term, things are looking very different for young people who are getting a break from their studies.  The May half-term holiday offers many the opportunity to step away from home-based learning.

Families may want to take the opportunity to get outside. With the new Government guidelines offering a relaxation of the lockdown rules, it is now possible to experience life a little further afield and enjoy the spring weather.

The new guidelines state:

• There is now no limit on the time you can spend doing open-air recreational activities.
• It is possible to play outdoor sports with members of your household or one individual from another household, maintaining social distance.
• You can drive any distance to destinations in England for open-air recreation.
• You can meet one other person outside of your household, provided it is outdoors and two metre social distancing is adhered to.
• Some businesses such as garden centres and DIY shops are allowed to reopen.

In accordance with these rules, we have put together a list of activities to get families big and small spending some quality time together in the great outdoors this half-term.

Drive out to a scenic spot

Everyone is starting to get tired of their own homes after more than two months in lockdown. The break in home schooling gives us all the welcome opportunity to get out and explore the great British coast and countryside. Be sure to do your research and choose locations and visit times that are likely to be quiet to ensure you can maintain a social distance from others.

It is also important to be aware of guidance from local authorities. For instance, the Lake District and Cornwall have both asked that visitors stay away for the time being. If you fancy a ramble, look for lesser-known walking routes. Use websites such as Walking Britain or Discovering Britain which enable you to make the most of our stunning countryside without crowding the obvious trials.

Play a sport

Get the whole house together with a game of cricket, frisbee or football in the garden or at the park. Why not make it interesting by playing for a prize? Winners could pick the evening’s dinner or what you watch on TV that night – or losers do the dishes! Be sure that wherever you are playing you are mindful of others enjoying the fresh air too. Individuals can also meet up with one person from outside the household to play sports like tennis and golf, provided the 2 metre rule is maintained. It’s worth checking with your local sports clubs to see what facilities they have open.

Do some DIY

With DIY chains now reopening, there’s never been a better time to do those odd jobs that you’ve been avoiding. Get the whole family involved by assigning age-appropriate tasks. Or set creative games and challenges that will ignite a little healthy competition. By getting the entire house to do their bit you will be able to achieve some amazing renovations. If you don’t fancy a big project, get creative with the things you can find at DIY shops like these garden crafts and scrap wood projects.

Visit a family member

Is there a close family friend who would put a smile on your face? Do you have a relative who might be feeling lonely? Why not pack a picnic and meet at your local park? Or even take a thermos and hang out in their front garden for a socially-distanced brew. Although this isn’t an activity for the whole family, the half term break is a great opportunity to encourage family members to reconnect with close friends or relatives. Only meet with one other person in an outdoor setting and keep a two metre distance.

We hope we’ve given you a few ideas that will brighten up your half-term. The Government is due to announce the next steps in lockdown on Thursday, so keep an eye out for changes.

If you have any other suggestions for half-term under lockdown, we would love to hear them! Chat to us on our Merrick Life FaceBook page.

We’ve written previously about some of the great sights to look out for this spring.