Did you break out into a cold sweat when you looked at your calendar and realised the school holidays were back once again? Don’t fret – we’ve rounded up a whopping 50 school holiday ideas to pass the time, rain, hail or… whatever the next month throws our way.
- COVID has lingered for over a year, but we still need to tap into that community spirit that got us through the first time. Making positive signs with your children to display in your windows or on your fence is a great way to do exactly that!
- Enjoy some old fashioned fun and make and race gutter boats – the perfect rainy day activity!
- Be inspired by the change of season with our ideas for nature play
- Or get into the Easter spirit with one of these craft activities
- Make ice cream (before it gets too cold!) – click here for peppermint, or here for choc-nut
- Plant a flower garden – each child can pick one flower to plant and care for over the holidays
- Craft a ‘busy book’ for your toddler or preschooler
- Go geocaching
- Build a cubby using blankets, chairs… you name it!
- Take a road trip – these are just a few of our favourite places
- DIY some face masks – you never know when you’ll need one on hand
- Make jewellery – we particularly love the glass beaded jewellery that’s trending right now, and you can support local businesses by purchasing supplies on Etsy
- Learn how to roller skate
- Make (and then play with) you own playdough – this recipe is sooo fluffy and lasts for ages
- Show the kids your favourite old movies
- Or rewatch some of their childhood favourites (yep, ‘Shrek’ is still amazing!)
- Seasonalise your home – we’ve got the ultimate guide
- Do an at-home science experiment – there are so many to be found online
- Tap into your inner artist with some chalk drawings on your driveway or footpath
- Bake something (we love these healthified versions of classic favourites)
- Shake something (check out our mocktail round-up!)
- Or put that Easter chocolate to good use
- Have your kids keep a school holiday diary to monitor all the fun they have (it makes a good reference for the next round of school holidays, too!)
- Keep them learning with these online resources
- Or enrol them in a school holiday day camp
- Grow your family by adopting a pet – find out which one is right for your family right here
- Go on a park crawl
- Embark on a wardrobe organising mission – here’s how
- Then, ‘thrift flip’ your old clothes – YouTube is brimming with ideas!
- Fill any wardrobe gaps with some winter clothes shopping (and keep the kids entertained with the Easter and school holiday activities on offer at your local shopping centre!)
- Hit one of these local skate parks
- Or get on your bike and roll along one of these local bike tracks
- Play backyard games – these are our faves
- Celebrate the start of the cooler weather with a hot chocolate at one of these local spots
- Get a sweat on with a mountainous hike! These are our favourites
- Find your child a pen pal
- Ensure your kids are set for life by teaching them these skills
- Start a new TV or movie series, as a family
- Play beach volleyball or soccer at your local beach or park
- Enjoy a few family nights out – kids eat free at these local spots
- Have a puzzle race! Each child can choose their own puzzle (they should all be roughly the same level of difficulty depending on their age) and see who can complete theirs first
- Go on more picnics (you don’t need to leave your home to do this, but if you do, visit these places)
- Have them learn arts and crafts on YouTube – we love Art for Kids Hub
- Whip out the face masks and nail polish for an at-home spa day
- Play your kids favourite video games with them (if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!)
- Knit something cosy with these ideas
- Catch up with your friends, keep the kids entertained and support a local business by eating at a kid-friendly cafe – find a few of our favourites in our ‘Out + About’ section
- Or stay in and let the kids cook one of these kid-safe recipes
- Soak up the last of the warm weather and spend whole days at the beach (including fish and chips for lunch)
- Have a ‘Yes Day’ – the kids get to choose what you do for one whole day, but one day only!
