Orka Living The end of term is on the horizon, and you can almost smell the sunscreen and hear the ice cream van. But before we slide into the summer holidays, a little bit of prep this weekend can help you start the break feeling calm, in control, and ready to actually enjoy it.
Here are ten simple, satisfying things that I’m doing this weekend to get ahead and ease into summer without the last-minute stress:
1. Go Through the School Uniform
This weekend, I’m going through each child’s uniform as I do the weekly wash. I’m checking what still fits, what’s too scruffy to pass inspection come August, and what needs to be replaced.
You can do this too! Pop anything too small or well-worn into the donation pile or textile recycling, and make a note of what you’ll need for next term. If you are a Vinted seller or a wannabe Vinted seller, take your pictures now so they are ready to upload as soon as school is over. (To be honest – in Scotland we only have a few more days left so you could upload them now so they are visible sooner!)
2. Audit Everyone’s Summer Wardrobe
Are the sandals still wearable? Do the kids have enough shorts that fit? Is your own sunhat still where you left it last year? Pull everything out, try things on, and make a list of any gaps.
You may not be going away until later in the holidays but many people like to get away as soon as that final bell rings. This weekend is a great time to work out what you have and what you need so that you have plenty shopping time before you head off. Tomorrow we will be doing a family shopping trip for any extras that we might need. You can imagine how happy my husband and teenagers are about this! But, needs must!
3. Review Your Travel Plans & Make a Travel Checklist
Whether it’s a weekend at the beach or a longer getaway, start gathering your travel essentials now. A checklist can help prevent the classic night-before scramble and avoid those dreaded “Muuuum, I forgot…” moments.
Make sure you have all your reference and reservations numbers for when you arrive. It goes without saying, but double check all your passports are in date too! I like to create a one page itinerary for our travel days that has everything we need to know. I save it as a PDF and keep it on my phone so that I have all I need at a glance as I travel. (I also send it to Mr Orka Living and the teens so that everyone knows what is happening. This is a great tip to avoid the ‘Mum – what time are we leaving, what time do we arrive, where are we going…’ questions throughout the travel days!)
I also use Trello for all my checklists. I create a packing list for each person in the family to ensure that no one forgets anything!
4. Go Through the Kids’ School Artwork
At our school, they like to send home all of the kids’ school work on the last Friday of term. So, before it multiplies again, I like to take 20 minutes to sort through drawings, projects and certificates straightaway. By doing it now, you avoid the build of clutter as well as avoiding putting off decisions to be made at a later date.
I like to do this activity with my kids so that I can really see what pieces mean the most to them. It’s also great practice for them to think about what they keep and why. As we go through each item we talk about keeping the really special ones, and either recycling or photographing the rest. You can even create a digital scrapbook to save space and memories at the same time.
5. Do a Food Audit
If you’re heading away over the summer, now’s a great time to take stock of what’s in the freezer, fridge and cupboards. Plan to eat up what you’ve already got and avoid waste in the weeks ahead. Using a meal planner can help you think about how the different items can come together to creat a full meal. And hey, if you are stuck for ideas, pop your ingredients into ChatGPT and ask it to help you come up with recipe ideas! You won’t regret it!
6. Review Your Childcare Plans
Will you be managing work and childcare over the summer? Double check camps, clubs, grandparents, and babysitter availability. A quick review of your calendar can flag up any gaps and help you plan work time, rest time, and family time more easily. Childcare is a challenge that all working parents will be facing, so how about creating a playdate schedule with other working parents so that everyone gets a little time along the way while sharing the load.
7. Set Up a Summer Planner
A calendar or planner can help everyone stay in the loop. Add holidays, day trips, work commitments, and summer goals – it’s especially helpful if your weeks are going to look a bit different.
Think about how to display this planner. For older children I like to share dates in their Google Calendars with them so that they can see at a glance what is happening. For younger children, I like to create a clear calendar on a white board so that they can check it at any time and know what is happening.
8. Declutter Outgrown or Broken Toys
With the kids at home for much of the day it’s really important to think about what they are going to do. Cluttered and full play areas leads to decision paralysis and boredom. Less is definitely more in my opinion and tidy shelves = calmer playtime.
Get the kids involved if you can and help them choose what to donate, recycle or bin. It’s a great reset before the “I’m boooored” chorus starts. It also allows them to refresh their memory with toys that they maybe forgot they had.
9. Write a Summer Bucket List
Why not sit down as a family and make a fun list of things you’d all love to do this summer – big and small. Think water fights, library visits, movie nights, or ice cream for breakfast. This keeps the holidays intentional and full of moments you’ll actually remember. Pop the list somewhere where everyone can see it and tick off each idea as you complete them.
10. Enjoy the Sunshine
Yes, really. Don’t forget to pause, soak up some sun (responsibly!), and give yourself a moment to just be. You’ve earned it.
Let this weekend be your springboard into a summer that feels a little more organised, a little more joyful, and a lot more manageable.
Which of these will you be ticking off? Or do you have your own summer prep rituals? Let me know in the comments! And don’t forget in you want to know more about how Orka Living can help you declutter and get organised get in touch here to find out more about our services.
