Ran out of ideas to keep the kids entertained, don't despair....

We have the Mykidstime A-Z guide to surviving the School Summer Holidays!!

ART and ADVENTURE - Check out the Summer events and activities for children at the Crawford Art Gallery!

BEACH - It's Summertime, so trips to the beach are essential! We have so many beautiful beaches in Cork, if you can’t decide which beach to go to, check out our beaches, put the names in a hat and have a lucky dip!

CAMPS - We have the most comprehensive Summer Camp information in Cork. Many camps run right throughout the summer and the choice of camps is superb, with sports, film, dancing and music, there is something to suit every child's tastes.

DINING OUTDOORS - Food always tastes nicer outdoors! Pack a picnic for days out or even in the garden. We have some delicious picnic recipes. Also you can't beat a BBQ on a summers evening. Keep an eye out in local supermarkets for special offers on BBQ essentials. Has anyone else noticed how kids tend to clear their plates when they eat outside?

EVENTS - Keep an eye on our events pages for what’s happening around Cork this Summer. From shows and performances to workshops, festivals and picnics, there are some great things taking place this Summer in Cork.

FRIENDS - Organise playdates so the kids can keep in touch with their school friends! If you're entertaining your own kids what’s another one or two! Chances are they will entertain themselves and you can arrange for your kids to visit their friends house in return for a change of scenery!

GAMES - Plan a games day. Arrange with family and friends and visit a local park or green and have a sports day! Five-a-Side Football, Rounders, Egg and Spoon Races or whatever you prefer! Pick up some cheap prizes or trophies in a Euro Shop and have a "prizegiving" and picnic afterwards.

HOLIDAYS - If you're holidaying at home or abroad, enjoy! If you haven't booked anything yet, take a look at what France Outdoors has to offer or visit our Family Friendly Accommodation Listings and don't forget to check out the other regions Mykidstime covers if you are visiting these areas, for things to do with the Kids.

IMAGINATION - Play pretend and use your imagination! Visit Fota Wildlife Park and pretend to be on safari, camp out in the back garden and pretend you're in the desert or jungle, visit Blarney castle and pretend you're royalty- the possibilities are endless!

JUMPING, HOPPING, SKIPPING - You'll have the kids jumping with excitement if you show them some of the things we did as children. My kids just love when I draw and play hopscotch with them, a very cheap and easy way to keep them entertained, if you haven't done it yet, try it. Or you can get a long skipping rope and teach them how to skip with more than one person.... oh I remember the days!!

KITCHEN - Let the Kids in and get involved! We have loads of tasty family recipes, why not let the kids try a few (with supervision, of course!). It’s a great way to get children to try new foods if they have helped prepare it and also helping prepare a three course meal can entertain children for a whole afternoon!

LISTS - Search our activities listings and check out our Top Ten Things To Do in Cork and our Things to do on a Rainy day. Decide which places you would like to visit this Summer and make a list! I do this and hang it on the fridge to remember and aim to visit one a week.

MEMORY COLLAGE/ SCRAPBOOK - Keep mementos from your trips this summer, take plenty of photos, collect shells and stones, pick flowers. Let the kids pick their favourites and make a big, bright collage for their bedroom walls or a scrapbook. This will keep the kids busy for hours throughout the summer and is great for winding down time after a day out or on a rainy day afternoon.

NATURE - Check out our Nature Activities for Kids, some great ideas!

OUTINGS - Take a look at our suggestions for Out and About Trips.

PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS - The perfect summer day! Visit one of the many Parks in Cork, let the kids tire themselves out in a Playground and then relax with a Picnic.

QUEUES - During July and August it is hard to avoid queues when visiting the top tourist attractions in Cork. If you're planning such an outing see if it’s possible to pre-book or otherwise get up early and be the first there!

RAINY DAYS - Fingers crossed they will be few and far between, however, there is bound to be a few. We have Rainy Day activities for you to do, both out and about and at home.

SWIMMING - In the pool or in the sea, you have to swim as much as possible in the Summertime. Many local swimming pools extend and increase their family swim times during the holidays, check out local swimming pools for more information.

TRANSPORT - Buses and Trains are the extent if you're heading out for the day this Summer, leave the car at home and go with public transport! It’s much more exciting than the car for the little people and it saves the hassle of finding parking!

USEFUL INFORMATION - You will find everything you need to keep the kids entertained here at Mykidstime, the only other information you need is an accurate weather forecast!

VISIT - Celebrate the fact that Cork has been deemed number 3 in the Top 10 Places to Visit in 2010 by the Lonely Planet- visit the places you never think of! Be a tourist in Cork, hop on an open top tour bus, check out the museums and gallery's or visit Cork's Historical Buildings and tell your kids about Cork's History.

WATCH - The latest Summer Movies at the Cinema!

eXhausted,Yawn,ZZZZZZ - Summer is a time to relax and recharge, with all these suggestions to entertain the kids, fingers crossed they will sleep a little better and a little longer giving mums and dads a bit more rest too....... Enjoy the rest of your Summer!