8 Fun School Holiday Ideas for Kids

*Collaborative Post

School holidays are the perfect time for kids to recharge, have fun, and enjoy new experiences away from the pressure and structure of the classroom.

But for parents, keeping them entertained for two weeks or longer can feel like a full-time job. If you’re wondering how to fill the break without relying on screens or breaking the bank at theme parks or expensive hotels, you’re in the right place.

We’ve pulled together a list of school holiday activities that are fun, practical, and great for families across New Zealand. Regardless of whether you’re looking for indoor ideas for rainy days or outdoor adventures for sunny afternoons, there is something on it to pique everyone’s interest.

1. Build a Craft Corner at Home

Most kids love creating art, and believe us when we say that once your kids get messy with paints, glitter, glue, and coloured paper, the hours will fly by.

The great thing about crafts and DIY projects for kids is that they improve their fine motor skills and ability for self-expression. Therefore, encouraging your kids to make paper kites, pasta necklaces, or even greeting cards for the next family birthday will not only keep them busy but also be good for their development. 

Pinterest and YouTube are full of easy tutorials advising of craft activities your children can do at home. And if you are worried about the mess, why not put a big piece of tarpaulin down outside, and let them get on with it until their hearts are content?

2. Run a Mini Market Stall

Got a little entrepreneur at home? Then why not harness their energy and drive by letting them set up a mini market stall in your front yard?

They could offer homemade lemonade, crafts, painted rocks, or old toys and clothes in good condition. Alternatively, consider doing a big declutter of your house and allowing them to sell what you no longer need. (That way you kill two birds with one stone!)

If you want to take it up a notch, consider getting a market stall. You can even accept payments with a Smartpay portable EFTPOS machine if you would rather not deal with cash.

Doing this provides you with a simple way to offer contactless payment and reduces the potential for your little ones to give customers too much back in the way of change.

3. Explore Your Local Neighbourhood

Do you think you know your suburb well?

Regardless of how long you have lived there, the chances are there are some aspects of it that you have never previously known about or whose significance you have never fully understood. So, why not use the school holidays to fully discover where you live?

This could involve going to parks, small museums or landmarks you have not been to before. Alternatively, you could try a new coffee shop or make a point of visiting a historical hotspot.

If you do a Google search on “what to do in [your suburb]”, you’ll be amazed at what comes up.

4. Have an At-Home Movie Marathon

Going to the cinema can be very expensive as a family. So, why not create your very own cinema at home?

Let the kids make tickets, set up a popcorn station, and vote on the films. You can even make themed snacks to match the movies, such as “Frozen” snow cones or “Minion” banana milkshakes.

This indoor activity is perfect for those cold or rainy days or when everyone needs some downtime. Just make sure the film is something everyone wants to watch, and not just you!

5. Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt

It is always good to go for a walk in nature. However, sometimes you might need to drag kids along, kicking and screaming.

That said, a walk in the bush or around the local park usually becomes a lot more exciting for them when there’s a game involved. Therefore, consider drawing up a checklist of items you want them to find.

This could be a feather, something red, a smooth stone, or a flower. Essentially, anything that springs to mind. All you need to do is give each child a bag or basket and let them run loose!

What makes this such a winning idea is that this type of outdoor adventure for families encourages observation and exercise. If you want to, you can even encourage a bit of healthy competition by getting a treat for the winner.

6. Visit Your Local Library

You might not be aware of this, but there is a lot more to libraries than just books.

Indeed, many run free activities for children during the school holidays, which include storytime sessions, puppet shows, coding clubs, and even craft workshops.

It’s also a great spot to play with puzzles and board games, if the kids are going stir crazy at home.

7. Start a Garden Project

Gardening is a brilliant, budget-friendly school holiday idea for children to enjoy. And the best part of it is that you don’t need a big yard.

With even just a few pots on a balcony, kids can plant herbs, tomatoes, or strawberries and watch them grow.

Moreover, you can even let them decorate the pots or paint rocks to use as garden markers to get them even more connected with the activity. 

8. Get Cooking in the Kitchen

Perhaps one of the most fun activities you can do with kids is to cook or bake. While it might get messy, it is a rewarding activity that is sure to bring a smile to their faces! 

Start with simple recipes like muffins, homemade pizza, or fruit skewers, before undertaking more complicated efforts.

Just make sure you let them do the mixing, measuring, and decorating. Otherwise, they are likely to get bored.

*This is a collaborative post. For further information please refer to my disclosure page.