Creative ways to help your child shine this summer

A child in wizard robes casting spells at immersive Wizard School photography experience in East Grinstead

The summer holidays are a magical time — long, unhurried days filled with potential. But they can also leave parents scrambling for ideas that don’t involve screens, sugar, or boredom-induced chaos.

If your child loves to dress up, create characters, or lose themselves in imaginative play, then you’re already halfway to something wonderful. Pretend play isn’t just fun — it’s one of the most powerful confidence-building activities for imaginative children, boosting self-esteem, independence, and emotional resilience.

Here are some simple, creative activities that encourage confidence and allow your child’s imagination to soar this summer.

🧙‍♀️ 1. Create a Character Day

Let your child invent their own magical persona — complete with a name, costume, backstory, and superpower. You might meet a brave forest knight, a woodland healer, or a mischief-loving magician.
Give them time to become that character throughout the day — you’ll be amazed at what unfolds.

💡 Confidence Boost: Role play helps children explore big feelings in a safe way, and imagining themselves as powerful builds real-world self-esteem.

🧡 A little note from me:
When I was little, I did this all the time — sometimes I’d be a teacher, other days someone from TV or even someone I knew. My mum would just go along with it until I decided to become “me” again.
It wasn’t just play — it was a way of learning who I was. That memory is part of why I love helping children step into character now.

🧵 2. Craft Their Own Magical Tools

Whether it’s a wand made from a stick and string, a shield from cardboard, or a crown of flowers, let them design their own magical items. It doesn’t need to be perfect — the story behind it is what matters.

💡 Tip for Parents: Ask, “What does this do? How did you earn it?” to gently draw out the story and show how much you value their ideas.

📖 3. Make a Summer Spell Book

Fold a few pieces of paper into a booklet and help them create their own spell book. It could include:

  • Spells for bravery

  • Recipes for laughter potions

  • Instructions for summoning cuddles 🐻

Not only is this great for creativity, but it encourages writing and reading in a fun, pressure-free way.

🎭 4. Put on a Play (Just for You)

Whether they have siblings or prefer solo performances, encourage your child to create a short story or play for the family. Help with props and a “stage” (a blanket curtain works wonders) and let them shine.

💡 Confidence Boost: Performing for a trusted audience builds public speaking skills, even if it’s just one parent and the dog watching from the sofa.

📸 5. Turn Pretend Play Into a Magical Memory

If your child lights up when they step into a character, why not capture that spark forever?
My Wizard School photography experience is designed to let children fully inhabit their magical selves — giving them a confidence boost and a memory they’ll treasure.

From the moment they’re sorted into a house, to casting their first spell, it’s a world of imagination where they are the hero.

Final Thought…

The summer holidays don’t have to be packed with expensive days out or endless entertainment. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do for our children is give them time, space, and permission to imagine — and to try simple, everyday confidence-building activities for imaginative children that make them feel seen and strong.

Because when they believe they’re brave, kind, clever or strong… that belief starts to grow in real life, too.

🌟 Want to make the magic last?
Let’s create a portrait that reflects who your child truly is — imaginative, bold, and utterly unique.
If you want to know when Wizard School will be opening, join the newsletter list and be the first to know.  The newsletters are fun with lots of activities and information for you and I have so much fun writing them 🥰