Any ideas what to do during holidays?

I do feel for you, I know how hard to it can be to entertain kids who aren't challenging, so I can feel the tiredness in you words, like the sensory play stuff that takes 5 minutes for them to make a complete mess and get bored and spend hours tidying up, and then needing more screen time to tidy up. 

I remember finding out about play schemas in children and it really helped me plan activities that were more likely to work for my kids. That's things like rotation, enveloping, transporting. I had a more straightforward leaflet but I think this link explains it some.

https://www.onehundredtoys.com/understanding-schema-play-in-toddlers/

So like my daughter especially loves being in small spaces, so dens are great for her. I would sometimes make them bigger room size with material and chairs, or even sometimes a small one on the sofa with a few cushions and a sheet. Or she'd love collecting her favourite pieces from various sets, so she had a number of bags to store them in. Obviously these are more sedate then you are facing, but if you figure out what schemas interests your child, we could try think of something that suits better? 

All the best anyway, sorry if that doesn't help, you do sound like you've tried so many things that haven't worked, hang in there.

Yep, looks like ai generated slop. It looks legit from vertical reading and moderately useful in theory until attempted to be applied to real life. First of all, those sensory toys or items have to be prepared and then cleaned up by someone and it takes that precious time when child is already up and ready for mischief (dog bowl remark; child doesn't have great or long sleep and so am I). Modelling clay cleaned off the walls, floors and furniture (and TV remote), rice and pasta removed from sofa, liquid soap cleared off floors and play dough (mixed probably with yogurt) scraped off rugs and carpets (plus laundry). That, unfortunately, takes time, and while I would be removing said objects, some other objects would appear elsewhere (like muffin, that was grated into soundbar), leaving me to further surprises. Reworking spaces into safe play areas would work for about an hour, then the novelty would wear off.

Then that child has to be fed multiple times a day, which requires time for cooking (the dog bowl remark) and someone has to clean the dishes (dog bowl again, plus, probably yogurt as chores take time). This is when screen time (with cause oland effect activities) is to certain extent helpful (muffin though appeared in the soundbar whilst he was holding his tablet and balancing on the edge of play table), but isn't 100% guarantee either.

Thing is, I don't really need to understand autism, what it is or how it feels, as it appears I am autistic too. Only found out because my child was diagnosed. And either way I wouldn't be able to attend sessions as I left my job to provide the majority of the care because nobody else would. For now, there's no one-fit-all advice as it feels unique to every child.

Unfortunately London is out of the way (we're about at the middle, and also in the middle of nowhere), so no museums. Last time we were in closest to us aquarium he eloped after just the entry and had a meltdown so we left (same happened at the local swimming pool). Closest aquarium is in about an hour's plus drive away. Playgrounds without full fences and with swings are out because he doesn't have understanding of moving objects. Water he either hates or will be in it, it depends. I'm not sure on what. Also meltdowns when someone has an object or toy he might like, as there's no understanding on his side 'it is someone else's and you shouldn't take it', so public places are out to keep everyone, diagnosed or typical (and my back from carrying 25kg), away from trauma.

Last year we spent most of six weeks of summer break at home, with rare outings to somewhere relatively safe and not too crowded (a beach two and a half hour's drive one way).

While this site I will link to seems to be mostly AI generated, it does have some good ideas with some explanation around them about their value:

https://neurolaunch.com/how-to-play-with-nonverbal-autistic-child/

I would recommend reading up on any options that take your interest and get ideas from other sites just to be sure it is suitable.

Hello DoraXplora

As you say, holidays can always be quite tricky to navigate, especially when it comes to arranging care and activities.

While I can see that our users are already making some truly fantastic suggestions, I wonder if the following resources would be helpful:

If the child has an Autism diagnosis you may be eligible for help - Family support

There may be financial opportunities available, based upon your circumstances - Financial help, money and benefits

In your local area, there may be opportunities to suit your needs - Autism Services Directory

I wish you the best in navigating through the holidays.

Thanks - Mod Zac.

I have been to aquariums and seen children with special needs enjoying it and captivated by it. I have been to the Sea life in London and Horiman museum and seen this. Also, Horiman museum has got children's playground newly built. Hyde park has got a playground I believe to.

They like water jets a lot of children as well 

A lot of children like waterfalls to which you can find in some parks.