School’s nearly out for summer. But hold the Mexican wave, kids. There are many parents out there who are as enthusiastic about the long holidays as finding your toenails in the Tupperware or a plaster in the paddling pool.

It’s not that we don’t want to spend a lazy, hazy summer with our nearest and dearest on a cloud of camomile lotion and Cornettos. We do. But the reality is often more likely to be a hot and hasty scramble from one end of summer to the other, complete with tantrums, cabin fever and empty wallets (or is that just me?).

For one thing: logistics. You don’t have to be Carol Vorderman to work out that working parents trying to divvy up limited annual leave between themselves and a partner, or failing that, various relatives to cover five weeks (minimum) children’s downtime have the odds stacked against them. Multiply by the number of offspring you have, factor in dwindling energy levels and what have you got? A physical impossibility, unless you can splice yourself in two.

And, even if time off from work is not a problem, how about cash? Money’s too tight to mention for most of us and while summer is a highlight for the lucky few who can jet off to a second home in sunnier climes for the duration, what about the rest of us? Many schools these days offer summer camps, often subsidised. If yours doesn’t, there are some other great options for outsourcing childcare while they learn and play. Serious4Sport in Tugwell Playing Fields, Wantage, is a multi-sports camp for boys and girls of all ages, run by professional coaches who are Ofsted-approved and CRB-checked. For drama-lovers, Oxford Playhouse has lots on offer for those aged eight to 18, with theatre workshops from August 5-23, including Ahoy There! Or you can keep teenage angst at bay with Romeo and Juliet workshops led by director Heidi Vaughn for ages 13-17 (August 12-16) or the Tricks of the Trade: Improvisation and Mask workshop (August 19-23). A top pick also has to be Fun Tech camps at Oxford High School in Belbroughton Road to help kids and teens learn the art of robotics, 3D game design, animation and Java coding.

Next stop for summer memories to cherish: festivals. If, like many parents around my age, you thought festivals were mostly an adult playground for getting spangled under the stars, think again. Festivals now are as much about the kids. I guarantee you’ll have just as much fun being placed inside a magic bubble by (nine-times Guinness World Record holders) Bubble Inc at the epic Wilderness festival in Cornbury Deer Park, near Charlbury. Children go free and can indulge in gems such as The House of Fairy Tales, Unicorn Theatre, Hullabalo Arts and the Bushcraft Company (August 8-11). The Big Feastival near Kingham on August 31 and September 1 is also where the hip and happening hang out with their brood and this year there will be an appearance from... wait for it... Justin Fletcher AKA Mr Tumble!

As for days out, Blenheim Palace will fill up at least a day with its sand art workshops in the pleasure gardens, Impeyan Creepy Crawly Show, bouncy castle, Marlborough Maze, adventure play area and butterfly house. Sizzling events include pre-’50s American Auto Club ‘Rally of the Giants’ (July 28) and Jousting Tournament (August 2-4). Oxford Castle Unlocked puts many venues in the shade for spooky atmosphere and hosts Medieval Punch and Judy (July 27-September 2).

And it’s well worth a trip west to Cotswold Wildlife Park near Burford, especially for the Wild Nights Tours after hours on August 3 and 10. More must-have wild fun is at Crocodiles of the World in Crawley near Witney hosted by Shaun Leggett of Channel Five fame – prepare to be mesmerised by the eyes of prehistoric alligators Daisy and Arthur.

Failing that, you can keep things simple with the great outdoors. Oxford boasts some of the most entertaining parks to let little ones unwind: the city’s biggest is Cutteslowe Park with its adventure playground and miniature railway on Sundays. The Ark T (ark-t.org) in Cowley is a great hub for youngsters’ creativity, South Oxford Adventure Playground and Blackbird Leys’ are newly revived for top play and of course there is Port Meadow, picnickers’ fave. Oxford City Council is offering free street sports sessions aimed at eight–18-year-olds this summer. And, in case you get really hot and bothered, dip into one of the county’s open-air pools, such as Woodstock (heated) pool in Shipton Road (OX20 1LP. 01993 811785) which has diving and paddling; The Lido in Fox Close, Chipping Norton (OX7 5BZ. 01608 643188) and Abbey Meadow in Abingdon (OX14 3JD. 01235 523113) with mini-golf, playground and accessibility by boat. Hinksey Outdoor Pool in Lake Street, New Hinksey (OX1 4RP. 0844 8933222) is also a must-visit idyllic Edwardian landmark. FIND OUT MORE...

Serious4Sports: serious4sports.co.uk Oxford Playhouse workshops: 01865 305305 or book online at oxfordplayhouse.com Fun Tech courses: funtech.co.uk Wilderness: wildernessfestival.com The Big Feastival: jamieoliver.com/thebigfeastival Blenheim Palace: 0800 8496500 or blenheimpalace.com Crocodiles of the World: crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk Free street sports: oxford.gov.uk/street sports or 01865 252 810.

Cotswold Wildlife Park. 01993 823006 or cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk Oxford Castle Unlocked: oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk