Whether you loathe or love them, school holidays are creeping up on us again! If your kids are anything like mine they love to moan the words, 'I'm bored...' often by 9am during the holidays when I've hidden the tv remotes.
For my benefit - and hopefully yours too - I have created a list of activities the kids can choose from which aim to ignite their imaginations and add a little excitement to the days I can sit work aside and focus on making memories with them.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any favourite, go-to ideas I can add to my repertoire, to ensure September school holidays are filled with laughter, learning, and minimal uttering of 'I'm bored' 😜
1. Nature Scavenger Hunt: Embrace the blooming beauty of spring by organizing a nature scavenger hunt in your local park. Create a list of items like colourful leaves, flowers, feathers, and rocks. You can also have them point out and identify insects, spiders (from a safe distance of course!) and birds. Watch as your little explorers embark on a thrilling adventure, searching for these treasures while connecting with the natural world. Pack some sandwiches, fresh fruit, water bottles and your throw for a picnic lunch to follow. I may have even created a free scavenger hunt downloadable for you here.
2. DIY Craft Extravaganza: Whether it's rainy outside or you just can't be arsed leaving the house (I know this feeling well haha), craft play is always a winner as you let your kids lose with their creativity! Setting up a DIY crafting station at home can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. I find it depends on both my resources and my energy levels on any particular day.
Ideas can be as simple as using recycled boxes, cartons, tubes and bottles from around the house to construct ball runs, rocket ships, doll houses or any other scene driven by your child's imagination. Add a side of stickers, coloured paper, paints and pencils/crayons for that added bit of creative flare.
Want to pre-plan and go big? Then choose from making dream catchers, painting flower pots or even a paint-by-number canvas, making playdough from scratch or even creating your own pieces of jewellery - the possibilities are endless! Let their imaginations run wild as they express themselves through art - something I'm just a little bit fond of 😉
3. Museum Marvels: Turn the school holidays into an educational adventure by visiting local museums. Australian cities are brimming with interactive and engaging museums that cater to kids of all ages. From science and history to art and culture, these museums offer a world of discovery.
Live in a rural town with no museum? You can always check out your local Information Centre or visit a website on your town's history to help learn more. Plan to visit local spots and don't forget to take photos, which you can then turn into a simple scrapbook all about your home town.
4. Picnic Perfect: Pack a delicious picnic basket and head to a nearby park or beach. Let the kids choose their favourite foods - you can make it a full 1-2 day activity, from sitting down to write a list of everything you need to pack, shopping together - letting them help pick things and even scan them at the checkout (just remember to be considerate to other shoppers & lines during busy times), baking treats (cupcakes, biscuits, scrolls, quiche etc) and finally packing the car to head out and enjoy a day of outdoor feasting, games, and relaxation. Don't forget to bring a frisbee or a kite for some old school picnic fun!
5. Gardening Bonding: Spring is the ideal time to nurture a love for gardening. Involve your kids in planting flowers, herbs, or even a small vegetable garden. This not only provides you with fresh produce in time (if you can keep them alive, something I am challenged with doing...) but provides the opportunity to teach your kids about the magic (and a splash of science) of growth and the importance of caring for the environment.
6. DIY Cooking Class: Transform your kitchen into a culinary classroom. Choose simple recipes and let your kids become mini chefs for the day. From decorating cupcakes to making homemade pizzas (or even trying out one of my recipes), they'll relish the experience of cooking up a storm. You too could film the experience and edit the footage to create their own 'Cooking Show' which they'll enjoy watching back and sharing with loved ones. Enjoy eating your treats on your throw having a picnic on the floor of the lounge, your backyard or a favourite park.
7. Beach Adventures: If you are blessed to live near the coastline, then I don't need to tell you this activity is bliss for the whole family. Whether it's building sandcastles, splashing in the waves, relaxing on your blanket or exploring rock pools, a day at the beach is a recipe for smiles and sun-kissed memories. Don't live near the ocean? Pack your swimmers, towels, snacks, sunscreen and your throw to head out to your local pool to cool down and create magical moments.
Don't let the school holidays get you down, it's only 2 weeks you need to survive 🤪 Make this a time for exploration, learning, and laughter, while creating lasting memories for your family.
