Today’s Tip: 10 activities that won’t break your bank these school holidays (while keeping your kids entertained)
School holidays – teachers love them, but not all parents do. It can be a frustrating time when kids are bored and money is tight. Here are 10 tips for things you can do to keep kids entertained in the holidays that wont break the bank.
- Treasure hunt: Set up a treasure hunt either inside or outside depending on the weather. Give the kids clues that really make them think and reward them with the ‘treasure’ of your choice.
- A pamper party: Particularly good for tween girls. Have a couple of girlfriends over and paint each other’s nails, put on face masks (you can make them yourself or buy inexpensive ones from your local supermarket) and have fun experimenting with nail art.
- Chalk art: Jumbo chalk is cheap and can be washed off surfaces like your driveway or external brick walls. Get the kids to create murals- give them a theme and see what they come up with.
- Go to the library: It’s free! And it’s the perfect way to introduce kids to the wonders of reading. Also, most libraries run workshops during school holidays, so give your local library a call and see what programs and workshops they will be running. This applies to local museums and art galleries too.
- Go for a picnic: If you can’t leave home, have it in the backyard. Let the kids help make the food, spread out on a blanket and play and take a pack of UNO cards.
- Alphabet photo challenge: These days kids have access to cameras- either on their phones or on yours. Digital cameras are perfect for this challenge. Over a period of time (you choose how long you really need a break or how long you can put up with being asked about photos) the kids need to photograph something from the entire alphabet. It gets tricky in the X & Z part- let them be creative.
- Bake together: If you have 2 kids, bake 2 basic sponge cakes and let your kids decorate them. You’ll need food colouring, sprinkles, lollies that can be chopped up. It’s messy, but it’s fun! And they can eat the end result or serve it to the other parent when they come home.
- Board games: in an era when kids are used to being entertained by technology, you’d be surprised how competitive they still get over a game of Monopoly! I’ve seen it first-hand (recently) and was amazed that these 13-year-old kids didn’t once pick up their phones, they were totally focused on the game.
- Movie marathons: Combine it with microwave popcorn. Introduce them to the 80’s classics ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, ‘The Breakfast Club’, ‘Pretty in Pink’, ’16 Candles’.
- Go to your local skate park: Kids can use their skateboards, bikes and scooters.
Do you have any tips on keeping kids entertained during the holidays?
