YOUNGSTERS seem to find the summer holidays as daunting too. They have the prospect of free days and often don't really know what they are going to do to fill the time. Parents can spend vast amounts on activities but I've found that keeping activities simple is often the solution.

Close to home there are some great places to visit which provide safe space for youngsters. Just down the road there's the Chiltern Open Air Museum with its woodland walks, craft activities and open space. Lacey Green Maize Maze is another good attraction which challenges youngsters. Little ones can go off with older ones and find their way through. There's other activities there as well.

Eating a picnic outdoors can be made more fun if youngsters choose the menu in advance or even go off and buy what they want to eat on the picnic.

I have to confess that, over the years, I've made the mistake of presuming that the more you spend the greater the pleasure. It's simply a case of providing something different for them to do, allowing them to take along a friend for company and choosing a place where they can have freedom where it is safe to roam.

I won't guarantee that it always works of course.