We’ve all been chased around the internet by that punch-you-in-the-gut meme claiming you only get 18 summers with your children before they disappear off to Malia to drink shots and never speak to you again. I’m fairly sure my mum – who I still holiday with every year despite me being in my 40s – would tell you that’s wildly optimistic. And while I think the meme has saddled parents with a huge amount of pressure to make every summer magical, there’s a useful reminder hidden beneath the guilt.

The first holiday I took with my eldest was pretty bad. I could still remember what a holiday used to feel like, and bouncing a screeching, teething six-month-old through a Greek sunset dinner definitely wasn’t it. But I quickly adjusted my expectations and accepted that, for the next few years, a holiday was simply wherever my kids were happiest. I tested every all-inclusive resort within the radius of a two-hour flight, stopped packing books for myself and crammed inflatables into my suitcase instead. Summer holidays were chaotic, exhausting, hilarious and magical in equal measure.

This summer feels different. My eldest is 12, my youngest is five, and we’re road-tripping around Canada because it’s somewhere I’ve always wanted to explore. The itinerary still includes viral ice-cream stops and waterparks, but it also involves brilliant restaurants and shopping for me. For the first time in years, it feels like a holiday for all of us.

That’s the thing about those 18 summers. Yes, they’re finite. But so is every exhausting stage that comes with them. If childcare logistics feel impossible this summer (mine certainly do), remember that one day they’ll disappear to the park with their friends and coordinating kids’ clubs will be a distant memory. If the thought of flying abroad with toddlers makes you want to lie down in a dark room, trust that your adventurous self hasn’t disappeared forever and that ice lollies in the garden are enough this year.

I think that’s the real point of that bloody meme. It’s not a reminder to treasure every second, but a reminder that, like everything with parenting, nothing stays the same for long – not the chaos, not the compromises, and not the eye-watering cost of sodding kids’ clubs.

So have a wonderful summer, whatever stage you’re in. See you on the other side! 

Alix Walker
Head of Editorial (and mum-of-four)

When I first moved to Blackhorse Road, it was Walthamstow Wetlands on a sunny day that made me truly fall in love with the area. It’s now a regular spot for my family outings, and helpfully it’s just a 15-minute walk from the closest station. My favourite time of year there is spring, when the tiny ducklings are bobbing about on the reservoir. But during high summer, with bright blue skies and epic views of the London skyline, it is a truly spectacular place.

I pack up for a family stroll with my partner and our daughters, aged five and one. We pop our little one in our Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus (which only launched last week) and load up the buggy’s mercifully large under-seat basket. In goes my youngest daughter’s tiny doll buggy (for walking practice) and a pink handbag with a selection of lip balms and treasures for my big girl. We throw in plenty of water and SPF for us all, too. As we step outside in the blistering heat (we’re in the middle of a 35ºC heatwave), I’m grateful for the Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus’ UPF canopy, which is fully extendable and gives the baby great coverage in this sunny weather, and the buggy handles the pathway with ease, despite being full-to-the-brim with our belongings. Crossing the road? No drama. The suspension effortlessly navigates the kerb, and we carry on playing I Spy on the other side of the road. 

There are no snacks needed today, as the first stop on our itinerary is Wild Grains Bakery, just a five-minute walk from Blackhorse Road station. Top tip: they bake excellent cinnamon buns. My girls love the cheese and Marmite pastries, but be quick; they sell out fast because they’re so tasty. Supplies secured, we head to the Wetlands, which is a few minutes further up Blackhorse Lane. The smooth path running through the wildlife zone is perfect for our eldest’s bike, and the buggy glides along nicely while we try to figure out which bird is which (I’m convinced I see a cormorant). We sit on one of the large concrete block benches to enjoy our picnic in the shade of the midday heat, very grateful to our Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus for handling all our bags so well.

Once done, we wander back up Lockwood Way, past Renegade Urban Winery and 40ft Brewery – both excellent drink spots but sadly not on the agenda today. Instead, a five-minute walk sees us in Higham Hill Park. It’s got two play parks and a cafe with loos; the girls are both happy, and I feel the satisfaction of a successful family jaunt.

Where? Walthamstow Wetlands

Cafe? Engine House Cafe

Changing facilities? Yes

Walk time: You choose

Accessibility? The main concrete pathway is perfect for prams. They also have accessible toilets with a ramp.

Overall rating: 5/5  

No matter which way you look at it, the school summer holidays are a lot of time to fill. Six weeks can seem endless when it’s all stretching out in front of us, and we all know we probably won’t reach the end of the first week before that familiar refrain of ‘I’m bored!’ rings through the house. While we’re all for quieter days at home (no one needs to be entertaining their kids 24/7, right?), the reality is that you need a few great days out up your sleeve to while away a few days – and it’s even better if they’re enjoyable for the whole family.

We may not be able to guarantee you a tantrum-free summer, but we’ve rounded up our favourite UK family-friendly days out to add to your summer bucket list for 2026. Just don’t forget the sunscreen/water bottles/spare clothes. 

For you: The Five-Star Weekend

If you manage to carve out a spare afternoon for yourself and fancy a glossy drama set against the idyllic backdrop of Nantucket, The Five-Star Weekend on Sky deserves a spot on your watchlist. Starring Jennifer Garner, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny and D’Arcy Carden, the eight-part series follows famed cook and recently widowed Hollis, who invites four friends from different stages of her life away for a girls’ weekend. Still reeling from the sudden death of her husband, Hollis is forced to confront everything she’s been avoiding, from her overwhelming grief to her complicated relationship with her daughter, as she slowly begins to find her way back to herself.

The Five-Star Weekend launches exclusively on Sky on 16 July in the UK.

For them: Moana

With so many live-action remakes in the works, it’s hard to know which ones are worth trekking down to the cinema for. But Moana, one of Disney’s most beloved modern classics, is a family-friendly reimagining that should keep younger viewers entertained over the summer holidays. Starring Catherine Laga’aia and Dwayne Johnson, the movie sees Moana answer the ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyage beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the shapeshifting demigod Maui on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. And if that’s not enough to convince you, the soundtrack alone is worth the ticket price.

Watch Moana at cinemas across the country now.