School’s Out this Friday, 28 June, in the Scottish Borders. If, like me, you are a parent wondering how to navigate this 7 and a bit week break then fear not, here is my blog of a whopping 25 things you can do to keep the kids entertained (and you sane…) across The Scottish Borders this summer. Some are free, some are not, but hopefully it gives you food for thought - good luck, and have a great summer!

Day at the beach - The predictable, but utterly fool proof summer holiday day out. Check the forecast, pack the car and away you go to Coldingham Sands, or venture further afield into East Lothian to Seacliff or south to Berwick’s Coacklawfoot. Remember your egg sandwiches, which will be liberally seasoned with sand…
The Pictures - We have Despicable Me 4 pencilled very firmly into the summer holiday diary - in fact I have been asked every day for about three weeks if today is the day we are going to see it. Remember to support the local cinemas, Pavilion in Galashiels or arts centres in Peebles or Hawick. Summer blockbusters are perfect for the predictably unpredictable Scottish summer weather.
See the sunrise - possibly better left for autumn, as you’ll have to get up very early in the morning, but it makes for a very budget friendly and adventurous activity - perfect for camping!

Climb that hill - Free and fun (with occasional moans…), getting up a hill is one of the most rewarding things to do with kids. My suggestions would be Lee Pen at Innerleithen, Cademuir at Peebles or the Eildons. Remember to pack plenty snacks…
Go to a Border Games - Growing up in Innerleithen there was never any question that I wouldn’t attend St. Ronan’s Border Games, Scotland’s oldest organised sporting event. If these Games aren’t on your radar, then make this the summer you get along to one - be it St. Ronan’s, Jedburgh, Morebattle or further afield at Langholm or Ambleside.
Get on your bike - Trail centres across The Borders offer a free and accessible way to get into Mountain Biking. Glentress Forest near Peebles is the most accessible, with the new taster and graded trails enjoying their first summer.
Swimming - Summer swimming for us as kids meant Leithen Water. Perfect way to spend the day with the family, take a picnic, and leave only footprints…
Treasure Hunts - I love a Treasure Hunt, as my kids will attest! A wee bit of prep and away you go. If you want something more substantial, and someone else to set it for you, then check out the Car Treasure Hunt and Walking Treasure Hunts at St Ronan’s Games Week in Innerleithen, 12 - 19 July

Find a tower - This is the sort of activity that I love, as a history geek and local explorer! Get the map out, find a tower marked on it and go and find it. Instant adventure! Most of the time it’ll be a lump of earth and maybe a bit of rubble, but with so many around you are spoiled for choice and all can fire stories and imagination - did you know there are four ruined towers in the Leithen Water valley alone…

Bowhill - The adventure playground at Bowhill is a Borders classic, beloved by kids and parents. My advice is to get a season pass for £30, two visits with a family and that’s it covered. In the peak months a horsebox sells coffee in the playground, so you can easily pass a morning with a coffee and your phone while the kids run about daft…
Live Borders - Live Borders have a whole series of family events on this summer, many of them free! Sports, arts and play to help make a memorable summer. Find out more on their website.
Historic Scotland Explorer Pass - If the ruined towers idea was a bit too adventurous and you fancy something a wee bit easier to get into Scotland’s past, then consider getting a 14 day Explorer Pass from Historic Environment Scotland. It is £88 for two adults and three kids aged 7 - 15 (under 7’s go free). This might seem a wee bit pricey but if you use it to go to Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle then it’s paid for itself already, before you even visit The Border Abbeys, Smailholm Tower and Hermitage Castle!
Open Air Theatre at Floors - Floors Castle, just outside Kelso, is Scotland’s largest inhabited house. The grounds are stunning and provide a beautiful backdrop to a number of events, including open air theatre. So bring a blanket, raincoat and midge spray for two shows this summer. Find out more about these, and Floors packed events schedule, at their website.

Build a dam - This is me reaching back into my childhood. Mighty dams were constructed at Cuddy Bridge and The Cauld on Leithen Water! This seemed to take up a whole day, with the pool created by damming the water just a nice bonus - it was the building that was fun! A great way to spend a sunny day…
Meet a Coo! - Book a farm experience at the brilliant Jacksons at Jedburgh. A working, family run farm which enables you to get up close to Highland Cows and other farm animals. Jasmine and Fenwick are doing a great job of both diversifying their work, but also educating visitors about the reality of farming and it’s importance to our daily lives.
Paddleboarding at The Lowes - You can hire paddleboards and kayaks at Loch of the Lowes, it’s fun and easy to get into - even easier to fall off, I should add.
National Museum of Scotland - I think I have included this place on every travel blog I have ever written, but with good reason! It’s free, easily accessible from The Borders by train or bus and is the perfect rainy day activity for all ages. Throw in the fact that this week sees the opening of ‘Game On’ exhibition, some 22 years after it first opened in Edinburgh, and you have a full day out in easy reach.
Dogs Day Out at Traquair - If you love dogs, then this is a must. Traquair is a perfect backdrop for events, and has in recent years hosted a very special day for canine companions. This years is on Sunday 21 July, and features a very special meetup for King Charles Spaniels, beloved dog breed of Traquair!
Climb The Grey Mares Tail - A tough hike, but one with such a great reward. See if you can spot wild goats, peregrines or golden eagles as you make your way to Loch Skeen in this National Nature Reserve. National Trust members park for free, small charge for other vehicles - my tip is early mornings or evenings in the summer as it can get very busy here, unusually so for the South of Scotland…

Berwick Bridge 400 - Regular blog readers will know that I am big fan of Berwick, and would have it back in Scotland in a heart beat! The old bridge, linking Berwick and Tweedmouth, is 400 year old this year and a weekend of events are planned for Bank Holiday weekend 3 and 4 August to celebrate the milestone.
The Trimontium Experience - Did you read about the TikTok trend a few months back that said that men think about the Roman Empire every day. Well, take that thinking a huge step further with The Trimontium Experience, BRAND NEW for Summer 2024! A Virtual Reality tour of the Roman Fort bringing Iron Age Britain to life as never before, from the comfort of the Trimontium Museum in Melrose. This is very exciting, I am booking up to try it myself and can’t wait to share more details on the blog.
Building a den! - Another reach back into my childhood, but it’s a simple and classic way to entertain kids (and adults, to be fair). Find a nice mixed woodland such as St. Ronan’s Wood in Innerleithen and build your den with deadwood off the ground. So easy, check out this guide from The Woodland Trust.
Town Trails - Remember the lockdown days of 2020/21? How people were forced to stay in their home towns and started to discover new things they had never previously thought about or noticed? You can become a hometown tourist again by using one of the 10 town trails Scottish Borders Council promotes, they can be downloaded for free from SBCs website. I note there isn’t an Innerleithen one - sounds like a project…
St. Abbs Head - A bit like the museum above, I always seem to include St. Abbs when I write about visiting The Borders, but with such good reason. Natural beauty, impressive geology and rich in wildlife - a walk around this Nature Reserve is a true treat. The village itself is signed as twinned with New Asgard, something to do with Marvel Movies which I am sure appeals to young kids, but, alas, has passed me by!
Book a tour! - Last but not least, you can add something new to your holiday by booking a tour with me! Check out my tour listings, or get in touch directly if there is something special I can help with.