How to Enjoy the Half Term (With or Without Kids)

Most of us remember the sheer excitement of a half term break, but what we didn't realise was that for adults without any children of their own, half term can be a dreaded occasion—our usual coffee spots are filled with screaming kids, our local pool is hosting half-term activities complete with hundreds of splashing limbs and there appears to be children just about everywhere we stumble. With half term coming up once again, our Editors are on hand to offer some practical solutions to turn your dread into happiness instead! Read on and see how to embrace (and yes, really enjoy) the half term if you don't have kids…

1. Embrace the Over 21s

Those venues that were such a pain in your late teens? Yup, they're now your new best friends. You would hope that pubs in general wouldn't be teeming with children in the first place, but if they serve decent food, then you're bound to find families taking advantage during the half term. Stick to over 21 pubs, bars and if you really want to embrace child-free existence, clubs.

2. In the Night Garden

On the same vein as pubs, venues which you consider to be adult-only territory become suddenly crowded and noisy during the half term. Opt for late night viewings at the cinema, pre-work swims at the pool and 18+ bowling alleys. Sorry kids.

3. No School Run

If you've ever driven to work at 8.30am through a catchment area or taken a train with 20 uniform-clad pre-teen boys, revel in the half term respite. Every silver lining…

4. Plan Project

If the thought of streets overridden with children really does bring you out in a cold sweat, plan something productive to do indoors for the week—who said avoidance wasn't a good coping technique? Decorate your bedroom, spring clean your kitchen or create a new accent wall in your living room—just remember to pick up everything you need the week before so you don't have to face the hordes of families at the shops (or better yet, shop online!).

5. Come Dine With Me

Throw a dinner party with all of your friends, child-free or otherwise (just make sure the parents have babysitters organised) and embrace being adults who can drink delicious cocktails and eat as much as you like—heck, why not have pudding first?