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Top 10 Free Activities to do at home during the School Holidays
There’s nothing like the school holidays to instill the fear of God, forcing you to face the reality that you need to either take leave you don’t have or call the in-laws to have the kids for the fifth school holiday in a row. If you find yourself in this predicament, fret not as help is here.
We have delivered thousands of lessons to bored children across the country and have compiled 10 free activities that you can do to get you through some of those days you wish you were anywhere but home.
10. Treasure hunts
A timeless classic: the treasure hunt. Tailor it with clues around your house or yard leading to a hidden "treasure" that could be a snack, a choice of the next family movie, or a treat. This activity might just keep the kids occupied for longer than five minutes... might. Tailor the treasures to your child's interests—small toys, favourite snacks, or even 'coupons' for special privileges make great finds. Pro tip: you can even use Chat GPT to create the clues for you.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
9. Up Cycling
Grab anything that’s collecting dust or ready for the bin and challenge the kids to make it into something cool. Upcycling is a fantastic way to turn everyday items into creative masterpieces.
Encourage your kids to think outside the box and use their imagination (easier said than done, we know). Pro tip: YouTube is a godsend for parents who lack creativity. Type in "upcycle anything for kids" and you will be amazed at what will pop up and provide you with a step-by-step guide. For the best success, you will need to either model what they need to do or do it with them. It may not work so well to leave them to it.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
8. Baking
Pick easy recipes where kids can pour, mix, and learn a bit about measurements. From simple cookies to homemade pizzas, the options are endless and can be tailored to your child's skill level. Who knows, they might actually make something edible. It’s a wonderful opportunity to bond and create lasting memories in the kitchen... both good and bad.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
7. Rearrange a bedroom
Shake things up by rearranging your child's bedroom. It’s not just a chore—it’s a refresh button that costs nothing but offers a lot of fun and a new perspective. Rearranging furniture can be a great way to spend the afternoon, transforming a familiar space into something exciting and new.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
6. Escape room
Turn a room into a mystery den with puzzles and hidden clues. Design (and by design we mean use ChatGPT to design) a series of challenges that require problem-solving and teamwork, from decoding messages to finding hidden keys. Just make sure it’s challenging enough to buy you at least an hour of peace.
Creating an escape room at home is a fantastic way to engage kids in critical thinking and cooperative play. Start by choosing a theme, like a pirate treasure hunt or a detective mystery. Then, set up a series of clues and puzzles that lead to the final solution. You can use everyday items like books, toys, and furniture to hide clues and create obstacles.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
5. Demolition!
Transform a designated area into a Demolition Zone where the kids can unleash their inner engineers and take apart or just straight up destroy old appliances, toys, or furniture.
Equip them with a toolbox filled with essential tools like screwdrivers, wrenches, and hammers, and watch as they dive into the excitement of deconstructing. From broken toasters to worn-out toys, set up a safe area with adequate safety equipment and let them explore force, cause, and effect.
Realistically, kids just like smashing things sometimes. However, some little Einstein will probably enjoy the other point.
Things to consider: Safety first!
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
4. Frankentoys
With Frankentoys, there are no limits to imagination. From mismatched creatures to hybrid superheroes, the possibilities are endless. Watch as they experiment with different combinations, swapping heads, bodies, and limbs to design their own one-of-a-kind toys. Frankentoys is a fun way to repurpose old toys and reduce waste.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
3. Physical Games
When the walls feel like they’re closing in, it’s time to burn some energy with physical games. Whether it’s a lively game of tag, an exciting round of hide and seek, or an obstacle course made from household items, these activities are perfect for getting kids moving and shaking. Setting up an obstacle course is another great option, using items like pillows, chairs, and blankets to create a challenging and fun path for the kids to navigate. Pro tip: Google has a whole lot of indoor game suggestions.
Things to consider: These games require adult facilitation, otherwise kids, ya know... cheat.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
2. Fort Building
There’s something magical about forts. Give them blankets, boxes, and pillows, and let them build their kingdom. It’s quiet play, mostly, and it might just buy you enough time to sneak in a work call or a cup of coffee. Fort building requires cleanup, and sometimes children disengage quicker than the payoff of having to help clean up or deal with the moaning related to cleaning the mess.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.
Imaginative Play
I know what you’re thinking: what a cop-out! But let us explain: imaginative play, when led the right way, can actually be very fun and can last a long time. Kids can dive into different roles and scenarios with just a few props and their boundless imaginations. It’s simple, it’s quiet, and it’s the kind of play that gives you those moments of peace. While imaginative play is a harder sell to kids, the enjoyment factor surpasses anything else on our list.
Imaginative play can be as straightforward as setting the scene with a few everyday items. A cardboard box becomes a pirate ship, a blanket draped over a table turns into a secret cave, and an old hat and scarf transform them into adventurers on a daring quest. The key is to suffer through the first few minutes of protest and let the children settle into their own led play. The best way we have found to spark imaginative play is to start with a made-up story, an imaginative problem, or ask children to solve a make-believe situation.
Things to consider: Provide a variety of props and dress-up items to spark their imagination. Supervise from a distance, offering prompts if needed to help get the story started.
To download our free template CLICK HERE.