The Gogglebox star says by using the AI assistant parents can ask for instant ideas tailored to their family, from activities based on their children’s ages and interests, to plans shaped around their budget and location.
Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt has teamed up with Google Gemini to show frazzled parents how they can use AI to recreate the best bits of a holiday at home this summer.
With the school holidays in full swing, half (48%) of parents have already heard the dreaded ‘I’m bored’ moaned by kids, with ‘what are we doing today?’ hot on its heels with 42%.
According to the Google Gemini research, a whopping 82% of parents feel pressure to entertain their children during the six-week summer holidays.
More than three-quarters (78%) struggle to find activities that work for different ages, interests or energy levels.
Of those quizzed, cost is one of the biggest pain points with 46% saying it’s the most stressful part of keeping children entertained.
But money isn’t the only challenge, with 60% saying coming up with new creative ideas is the hardest part of the holidays.
The pressure also comes with a large dose of parental guilt. A remorseful quarter (25%) say they almost always feel guilty about not doing ‘enough’ with their children during the summer break, while 84% say they feel guilty at least sometimes.
With this research in mind, Google Gemini has launched ‘Gemidorm’, their answer to the summer holiday slump.
The tech giant claims AI assistants can help turn everyday spaces into low-cost, high-energy family escapes.
Whether it’s garden beach days, Spanish-inspired ‘picky bits’, kids’ club games, kitchen discos or simple summer moments that make being at home feel a bit more like being away.
The research shows the things children love most about holidays are often simple and easy to recreate closer to home, with swimming (51%) and going to the beach (35%) ranking highly.
Kids’ clubs and discos (29%), trying exciting new foods (25%) and spending quality time with family (18%) also featured among their favourite holiday activities.
Using the AI assistant, parents can ask for instant ideas tailored to their family, from activities based on their children’s ages and interests, to plans shaped around their budget and location.
This could be a kids’ club schedule for the afternoon, a Spanish-inspired snack menu using what’s already in the fridge or a day out that won’t blow the budget.
TV personality and mum Scarlett Moffatt said: “Jude is only a toddler and already gets bored easily, so I can only imagine how tricky the school holidays can get.
“Gemini is like having a creative helper in your pocket, giving you ideas that work for your budget and your family and taking some of the stress out of summer planning.”
Laurian Clemence, Head of Product Communications at Google UK, said: “The summer holidays should be full of fun, not six weeks of parents trying to magic up new ideas while the snack cupboard disappears before their eyes.
“Gemini is designed to help with exactly those everyday moments.
“Whether you need a holiday-inspired menu, low-cost day out, a kids’ club-style schedule or a quick activity that works for different ages, Gemini can help turn ‘what are we doing today?’ into something simple, fun and doable.”
Scarlett’s top five tips for keeping kids entertained during the summer holidays:
1. Create your own Costa del Garden. Turn your garden into a mini beach club with towels, sunglasses, snacks and a summer playlist. Ask Gemini to help theme the day around your children’s ages, from seaside-inspired activities to beach games.
2. Bring the kids’ club home. Break the day into simple chunks, like crafts, games, dancing, snack time and quiet time. Ask Gemini to build a kids’ club-style schedule so you’re not constantly having to think of the next activity.
3. Turn teatime into tapas. Get children involved in making Spanish-inspired picky bits, fruit skewers, colourful drinks or an ice-cream station. Gemini can suggest simple, budget-friendly ideas using what you already have at home.
4. Bring out the holiday entertainment. A kitchen disco, family quiz or mini talent show can make an ordinary afternoon feel like a night on holiday. Keep it simple with music, dance games or fancy dress.
5. Have an easy escape plan. When everyone needs to get out of the house, tell Gemini your location, budget, children’s ages and how much time you have, and ask it to suggest a simple day-out itinerary that keeps everyone entertained without overspending.