It had to happen sooner or later: 'Mummy, I'm bored!' Deb Donovan has some ideas for entertaining little ones on long summer days

Those lazy days of summer are here. Summer holidays, lying under a big, shady tree and watching the clouds pass by. Every child needs some time to just enjoy these carefree summer days. But what about after the initial glow begins to fade, when all the neighbours are on holiday, and there's no one to play with?

You don't need to take a trip to Disney World or enrol your child in expensive summer activities to help them get the most out of their summer holiday. Get those creative juices flowing. Use this opportunity to spark your child's interests in the world around him.

I'm an author
Kids love having their own personal diary. Even pre-schoolers enjoy using theirs to draw pictures in. Begin the summer with a brand new journal and a pen (crayons and markers) for each child.

I'm an artist
Stock up on inexpensive art supplies - large newspapers, crayons, markers, poster paints, glitter, glue, etc. When your child is in the mood you'll be ready with the proper supplies. Use an egg carton to place glue, paints and glitter in while working on that special creation.

I'm a baker
Get out your cookbooks or recipe file and find a simple recipe like biscuits or fairy cakes that would be fun to work on together. Read the recipe all the way through, assemble the ingredients and get started. Then enjoy the fruits of your labours - and don't forget to share with the rest of the family!

I'm a jeweller
Younger and older kids alike can enjoy creating their own special necklace. Use egg cartons to organise beads for your older kids and macaroni for the younger set. Older kids can thread the beads using fishing line, and make long enough to slip over their head. Pre-schoolers will enjoy threading their noodles onto shoelaces. (Younger children should not wear necklaces when unsupervised.)

I'm a city planner
Does your child enjoy playing with trains or cars? With a bit of help from you, he can create his own city - the perfect play area for those cars, lorries, trains and play people. Buy an inexpensive vinyl tablecloth with felt backing. Use the back of the tablecloth to draw roads, houses, parks, schools, etc., with permanent markers. Or cut out pieces of felt in the shape of lakes, trees, animals and people. This activity encourages your child's creativity and imagination.

I'm a clothing designer
Kids can create their own special T-shirt. Purchase an inexpensive light-coloured cotton shirt. You will also need a thick piece of cardboard or a paper shopping bag, non-toxic colourfast markers or paint for fabrics and masking tape. Set up a work space and stretch the T-shirt over the cardboard or shopping bag, securing with tape. Once the materials are assembled, allow your child to have free rein - designing a T-shirt that's totally unique.

I'm an entomologist
Do your kids love bugs? Then this is the perfect 'job' for them. Younger children love to catch bugs and observe them. (First, find out which bugs in your area are best avoided.) Using a cleaned out jar with holes in the lid, set out to capture an insect. Put a bit of grass in the bottom of the jar to give this little creature a place to hide, and don't keep it for more than a few hours. Keep a notebook, listing the bugs you have found in your own garden.

Younger kids may enjoy drawing a picture of the insects they have found. For older children, buy a piece of foam board from an art supply store. Start a bug collection, using a pin to mount bugs on the foam. Using a field guide, identify and label the bugs you've found. (Mum may want to keep this treasure in the garage.)

I'm a palaeontologist
Explore the dinosaur section at your local public library or bookshop. Learn more together about the different periods of time in which dinosaurs inhabited the earth. Visit a local museum. Try your hand at sculpting your favourite dinosaur. Using Play-Doh or clay and a picture to spark the imagination, mould the creature of your choice. Or help your child get started on a dinosaur collage. Buy a large piece of cardboard and a glue stick. Use your computer to access dinosaur pictures and facts and combine with your child's dinosaur artwork. This can be a work-in-progress that can be added to throughout the summer.

I'm a landscape artist
Help your child to plan and create a garden that's all his own. Begin on a very small scale. You'll both be very surprised how many plants can happily coexist together in a small space. Invest in a set of child-sized gardening tools and gloves. You might want to check out a couple of books from the library to learn how to properly care for your garden.

I'm a photographer
Buy your child a disposable camera and a small photo album at the start of the summer. Allow him to capture his favourite summer memories on film. You might also like to encourage your child to record his family holiday on film. Why not try a disposable underwater camera? Kids love to take underwater pictures.