There’s no doubt that the summer is a wonderful time. The kids are off school so you have more time to bond with them and it feels like the days are open with endless possibilities.
Well, right up to the point the unforgiving British weather decides to wade in on the argument and make life difficult. We’ve all gone through the disappointment of planning an exciting summer jaunt then waking up on the day of the trip to dark skies and what feels like torrential rain. It’s one of the bitterest letdowns most of us have to deal with, especially as we now have a whole day with nothing scheduled and kids beginning to get antsy.
It’s not just summer that suffers from this, of course. By the time December rolls around, the warm days of July will be far from our minds as we spend all of our time and energy just trying to keep warm.
If you’re planning home renovations in the near future, then maybe it’s worth thinking about what you can do to try and conquer the weather problem once and for all. A surprising number of seemingly outdoor-only activities actually have options that can be brought indoors, so why not think about incorporating a few of these into your design?
Swimming
While you might swim indoors at a leisure centre, there’s no getting around the fact they don’t offer the best experience. No, swimming is best done outside on a warm summer day, taking relief from the heat in the cool of the pool. Many of us dream of having a swimming pool in our garden for that exact reason, but how realistic is that given the UK weather?
It might work, but perhaps it would be better to hedge your bets if you’re looking for this kind of home change. You’ll find that Compass Pools and similar companies will be able to work with you to create an indoor pool that suits the space you have available, giving you the option of using it come rain or shine.
Astronomy
Many young children love being able to peer up to the night sky, naming stars and occasionally catching a glimpse of the summer meteor showers. Of course, this is only possible when the clouds part and give you a glimpse of the bare sky – which may or may not happen depending on how Mother Nature is feeling.
You can bring the astronomy experience indoors, however, by using display lights which mimic the pattern of the heavens. These can be incredibly detailed, to the point your kids can learn constellations for themselves. If you’re feeling crafty, you could even encourage them to make their own telescope - and then hope for clear skies one night in the hopes they actually get the chance to use it!
Camping
Camping in summer is something of an established British tradition, but let’s face it, no one likes bedding down in a sea of mud.
So skip the outdoors part but keep the experience authentic by turning your living room into a campsite. A video of a crackling wood fire from YouTube can create the right noises, while you shuffle back furniture to make room for a tent and tell ghost stories by flashlight. It’s safer, easier, and you have a better chance of getting a good night’s sleep – perfect!
