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Need ideas for free activities to keep kids entertained this summer?
We’re challenging you to complete our #SummerOfPlay checklist. Can you tick off every activity over the coming months?
Download our checklist and try something new each week with the children you support.
Don’t forget to tag us in your summer adventures and use #MySummerOfPlay to be featured on our socials.
Let’s make this a Summer of Play to remember!
We know many families across the UK will be getting ready for the Back-to-School season. We understand that this time of year can be both exciting and challenging, especially as the costs of essentials such as school supplies and uniforms continue to rise.
We’ve gathered a list of UK organisations and resources that are dedicated to providing support for back-to-school needs, ensuring that every child can start the school year with confidence.
UK wide
• Turn 2 Us – information for parents with school-aged children, who might be able to access financial support with back-to-school costs.
• Citizens Advice – information for families on low incomes about how to get help with some of the costs of sending your child to school, including school meals, transport and uniform.
Children in Wales whose families are on lower incomes and qualify for certain benefits can apply for a School Essentials Grant.
If you live in Scotland, you may be able to get financial help with your child’s school clothing and shoes. This help is called a ‘school clothing grant’. You apply to your local council.
For families in Northern Ireland, you can find information on Free School Meals and Uniform Grant eligibility and how to apply for support here.
• Young Minds offers information on supporting your child’s mental health and wellbeing as returning to school after the summer can be an overwhelming time for some families.
• Young Minds also provide practical tips and tools to help pupils, schools, parents and carers to manage changes and transitions throughout their time at school.
Play isn’t just fun – it’s essential. It helps children and young people build confidence, stay active and feel connected. But with families under pressure and struggling with rising costs of childcare, summer activities and meals, many kids are missing out.
Latest research reveals that only 3 in 10 children are playing out in the street, school break times are shrinking, and time spent playing outdoors has declined by 50% in a generation.
That’s why we’re running our Summer of Play campaign, supported by like-minded charities, organisations and brands to collectively ensure children can play this summer and return to school ready to learn.
We’re also appealing for donations of toys, books, games, arts and crafts and sports equipment to keep children active this summer. These aren’t just products, they are tools for a happier and healthier childhood.
And when summer ends, we’re not stopping. Back to school shouldn’t mean back indoors. We’ll keep working to ensure play is part of every child’s day – at home and at school.
If you’re a charitable organisation needing access to these products, join our network today.
Have products to donate? Or want to access summer products?
If you’re a company and have products to donate, email donations@inkinddirect.org
If you’re a charitable organisation and need access to products, join our network for free today
Hear from our network of charitable organisations who support many families across the UK:
St Andrews Youth Club is a community-based youth club and registered charity that has been enriching young lives for more than 150 years. Supporting over 500 members each year, the club provides a sense of belonging, fun and informal education, helping young people build self-confidence, develop respect for others and grow into active, positive members of their communities.
Read moreWith a new Prime Minister and a new Government agenda, we explore what the early policy priorities could mean for tackling hygiene poverty. From cost-of-living measures to a renewed focus on devolution and local decision-making, find out how we think these changes may shape the landscape for our network communities across the UK.
Read more2025 has been a year of significant progress for In Kind Direct, both in the scale of our impact and in how we are shaping our future. The numbers speak for themselves: together with our partners, we supported more people than ever before, reaching 930,000 people each week through our network of over 9,000 charitable organisations.
Read more
