Summer with the kids doesn’t have to feel like a juggling act, you just need the right place, the right mix of activities, and a few easy ideas to keep everyone happy. Here at Cofton, we’ve got everything you need to turn those long summer days into proper family memories, from splashing about in the pools and burning off energy in the play areas to exploring the outdoors, enjoying tasty food, and winding down with evening entertainment. Whether you’re planning a full week away, a short break, or simply looking for ways to fill your summer holidays with less stress and more fun, this guide is here to help you make the most of summer at Cofton.
Cofton’s Summer Survival Guide
1. Start the Day with an Adventure
Before turning on any screens, start the day with the outdoors and encourage the kids to burn off some energy. The park is surrounded by nature and there’s plenty of beautiful sights to see!
Try:
- A morning nature walk
- A family bike ride
- A scavenger hunt
- Swimming in the outdoor pool
- Building a den in a woodlands
- Wildlife spotting down by the fishing lakes
At Cofton, you’ll find so much to be explored from a woodland walk that takes you down to Dawlish Warren, to the pump track, basketball court and swimming pools all waiting to be explored.
2. Turn Everyday Activities into Learning Opportunities
Holidays aren’t just for fun, they can also be an educational experience. At Cofton, there are so many different areas of the park and nearby coast to learn, explore and discover new things. Children can try pond dipping and identify wildlife, learn the basics of fishing, read maps and follow trails, or head to the beach for rock pooling and coastal exploring. You can also turn rainy days or quieter afternoons into learning moments by cooking and baking together, discovering local history, and finding out more about the nature and wildlife that makes this part of Devon so special.
3. Explore Devon Like a Local
Summer is the perfect excuse to get out, explore, and discover somewhere new together. From a day at Dawlish Warren Beach or a walk along part of the South West Coast Path, to exploring Exeter, going crabbing, visiting local attractions and nature reserves, or cycling the Exe Estuary Trail, there are so many simple adventures waiting just beyond your doorstep. Some of the best family memories come from days like these, where you can slow down, enjoy the fresh air, and make the most of quality time together.
4. Embrace “Good Tired”
All that’s needed at the end of a long day is for the children to be tired after a day packed with fresh and activity. There’s plenty of activities on to do this, such as our High Ropes Course, riding around the pump track, Swimming in the indoor and outdoor pool, running around in the adventure playgrounds, joining in with organised activities and meeting new friends during entertainment. A tired child is often a happy child!
6. Don’t Schedule Every Minute
Not every day needs to be a big day out, sometimes the most memorable moments are the simple ones. Playing football on the grass, sharing an ice cream, watching the sunset, playing board games together, or sitting around chatting after dinner can be just as special as a full day of plans. It’s also worth giving children time to be bored occasionally, as that’s often when creativity appears, imaginations get going, and little holiday moments turn into lasting memories.
7. Disconnect from Technology
Challenge the family to spend part of each day screen-free, whether that’s enjoying device-free mealtimes, heading out for a family walk, reading together, fishing on the lakes, playing cards, nature spotting or sharing evening games. The summer holidays are the perfect opportunity to reconnect with each other, not just your Wi-Fi.
8. Practise for Cofton’s Got Talent
Looking for a fun project to work on throughout the summer? Why not start preparing an act for Cofton’s Got Talent? Children could practise singing, dancing, magic tricks, comedy, gymnastics, playing an instrument, or even performing with siblings or friends. It’s a fantastic way to build confidence, creativity and performance skills while having lots of fun along the way.
9. Create a Summer Bucket List
Before summer ends, you want to make sure you’ve achieved as much as possible and a bucket list is the perfect way to do just that. Sit down together as a family and create a list of all the things you’ve love to do this summer. Include a mixture of free activities, family adventures, new skills to learn, places to visit and things to do at Cofton. Ticking items off throughout the holidays gives everyone something to look forward to and creates a real sense of achievement.
10. Join Digby’s Dinosaur Adventure
Need a screen-free activity for a rainy afternoon or a quiet moment between adventures? Download a Digby Activity Pack and enjoy colouring sheets, word searches, spot the difference challenges, mazes, connect-the-dots puzzles and more. For older children, why not write your own Digby Adventure Story and imagine where Digby might go this summer, from exploring the woodland trails and swimming in the pool to taking on the High Ropes, discovering hidden treasure around Devon or making new friends at Cofton. Creative activities like storytelling, drawing and puzzles help develop imagination, literacy and problem-solving skills while keeping children entertained away from screens.
Make This Summer One to Remember
Summer doesn’t need to be packed with expensive days out to be special. Sometimes the best memories come from exploring somewhere new, trying something different, spending time together and enjoying the simple things.
Whether you’re discovering Devon, taking part in activities around the park, or simply enjoying quality family time, there’s plenty of adventure waiting at Cofton this summer.
