Surviving the School Holidays: How to Use Your Garden to Save Your Sanity

School’s out… and it’s still out.
If your house already looks like a toy tornado has blown through and your fridge can’t stay full for more than a day, it might be time to take things outside.

Your garden doesn’t have to be perfect – it just has to work for you. A few clever touches can turn your outdoor space into a summer survival zone (without turning you into a full-time camp counsellor).

Here are a few ideas to help you reset, recharge, and even sneak in a bit of peace:

1. The Morning Escape
Start your day outdoors, coffee in hand, before the chaos kicks off. A compact bistro set gives you a calm corner to pretend you're on holiday – even if just for 10 minutes.

2. DIY Picnics
Let the kids help prep lunch and take it outside. Scatter some of our waterproof cushions on the grass, add a blanket and a tray, and you’ve got a no-fuss summer picnic (less crumbs inside too – bonus).

3. Firepit Evenings
Keep them entertained into the evening with toasted marshmallows and stories by the firepit. Warm throws and our rechargeable mushroom lamps add a little magic – and maybe even a quiet moment or two.

4. Backyard Forts & Movie Nights
Hand over the cushions, throws, and a parasol, and let the kids create their own kingdom. For extra credit, add a projector or tablet for a backyard movie night.

5. Solo Time (We Believe in You)
Set up a quiet nook with a few cushions, a stack of books, or some drawing supplies. Even a change of scenery can buy you 20 sacred minutes of peace.

However you're spending the summer, your garden can be more than a patch of grass – it can be your sanity saver.

Build your family-friendly summer space here → www.theoutdooredit.co.uk/collections/firepits