If your family is anything like mine, we can be only one day into the school holiday break before I’m hearing the dreaded words, ‘I’m bored’. So, take an hour out of your day now to get organised and beat the boredom these school holidays.
Fun for the whole family…..
If you are looking to get out of the house to beat the boredom these school holidays, check your local newspapers and magazine publications for what’s on in your area. Most towns organise free or inexpensive entertainment or exhibitions aimed at children.
Online community pages and local Facebook groups are another way to find out what is on offer in your community
Take a trip to the museum or art gallery for an informative or cultural day out.
The library is another great free activity. Spark your children’s interest in books from a young age and encourage them to read. Show them how to search for books in a library, find a quiet corner and read stories together or gather some books to read at home.
Visit your local zoo or animal sanctuary and get up close to wild animals. Spend time exploring and learn more about animal care and the importance of conservation.
Outdoor fun to beat the boredom these school holidays…..
Plan a day at your nearby national park for a hike together as a family followed by a picnic lunch. Ask your children to help you decide what you will eat, then make and pack the lunch together. Before you go, write a scavenger hunt list of things to find while on your walk through the national park.
If heading off on a major holiday is out of the budget right now, consider going camping as an inexpensive option. You can camp at national parks for a small fee and these days caravan parks offer a fantastic array of activities to entertain children from pools and water slides, to jumping pillows, bike tracks and adventure playgrounds.
Caravan parks also offer cooking facilities, bathroom facilities and a laundry. So, if you aren’t seasoned campers then you can get by with just the basics. An economical tent, sleeping bags and food. And the great thing is you can reuse these items for many more camping trips to come.
You can camp over night just for the experience or take a few days to get away from it all.
Also, for a bit of free fun, have a backyard camp out. Set up the tent, light the BBQ for dinner and spend some time together under the stars away from the glowing screens of our TVs and devises.
Get creative at home…..
Another way to beat the boredom these school holidays is to unleash your kid’s artistic talents and make some fun craft projects. You can pick up inexpensive craft supplies at your local dollar store or utilise bits and pieces from around the house. Try your hand at homemade Play-dough. It’s made from edible household products, its cheap, nontoxic and safe for children. 
Plan a movie night at home with friends and family. Buy or rent a new movie to watch. For some extra fun, have the children make movie tickets and hand them out as you arrive to watch the movie. Make some popcorn, sit back and relax.
Hold a game or trivia night. Gather some friends, food and drinks and share some fun and laughs.
Arrange play dates and sleepovers with friends and family. Make sure you have activities planned for the event. Such as water play, movies and outdoor games.
Fun in the sun…..
Head to the beach for a day in the sun. Take some buckets and spades and have fun creating castles and sculptures. Explore the rocks and tide pools or hit the water for a surf on the boogie boards. Don’t forget to pack the sunscreen.
Plan a trip to your local market and pick up a tray of vegetable or flower seedlings. Spend some time outdoors in the garden with the children and do some planting. The children can oversee watering and looking after their garden patch each day. Choose fast growing plants like lettuce, herbs, petunias and violas.
Pack up the bikes and scooters and head to your nearest park or playground. Burn off some energy while scooting around followed by time in the playground. Don’t forget to pack food and drinks for a picnic in the park.
Top Tips for parents:
Before the school holidays begin, do any shopping you know that you need to do. If your children are anything like mine, they hate to be dragged around the shops by mum or dad. So, do what you can in peace before the children are home for the break.
Do a grocery shop: Make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks on hand for hungry children. Plan meals ahead of time to take the stress out of what to make for lunch and dinner each day.
Write a list of activities for the school holiday break. Involve the children and have them help you choose what they would like to do and on which day.
However you choose to beat the boredom these school holidays, invest in some quality family time together and strengthen your family relationships.
Read more: 20 Fun and Cheap Activities for the School Holidays.
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