The mid-year school holidays can be a fun break for families, but they can also become expensive quickly. Between food, transport, activities and last-minute plans, the costs can add up before you know it.
The good news is that keeping the kids entertained does not have to mean spending a lot of money. There are plenty of free and low-cost things to do, especially if you plan ahead and check what is happening in your local area.
Here are 10 simple school holiday ideas to help keep the kids busy this winter without stretching the budget too far.
Museums and galleries are great winter school holiday options because they are indoors, educational and often free or low cost.
Many museums also run special school holiday activities, children’s trails, craft tables, workshops or family events. Some activities may need bookings, so it is worth checking before you go.
This can work well for younger children who enjoy hands-on activities, as well as older kids and teens who may be interested in history, science, art, technology or culture.
Libraries are one of the best places to look for free school holiday activities.
Many local libraries run story time, craft sessions, LEGO clubs, reading challenges, movie sessions, board games, coding activities and teen programs. Even if there is no event on, a library visit can still be a good quiet activity on a cold or rainy day.
You can also borrow books, DVDs, puzzles or audiobooks to use at home during the holidays.
Local councils often run free or low-cost school holiday activities for children and teenagers.
These may include sports, art workshops, youth activities, movie afternoons, nature walks, cooking classes, skate clinics, music sessions or family fun days.
A good place to start is your local council website. Search for “school holiday activities” and the name of your suburb, town or council area.
If your budget allows, you might choose one or more special paid activity during the holidays. This could be bowling, indoor play, a cinema trip, mini golf, ice skating, a zoo, aquarium or science centre.
To keep costs under control, plan the paid outing in advance and keep the other days simple. You could combine one paid activity with free options such as libraries, parks, museums, home movie nights or local events.
Before you book, check for family passes, off-peak prices, free entry days or discounts for children.
The beach may not feel like an obvious winter activity, but it can still be a good low-cost outing on a clear day.
Instead of planning a swim or picnic, keep it simple. Rug up, go for a short walk, look for shells, watch the waves, take photos or explore rock pools where it is safe to do so.
If you live inland, try a river walk, lake, local trail, botanic garden or nature reserve. A quick outdoor outing can help kids burn off energy without spending much.
A home movie afternoon can feel special without the cost of cinema tickets.
Let the kids choose the movie, make popcorn, turn off the lights and set up the lounge room with blankets and cushions.
This is a good option for rainy days, cold evenings or days when everyone needs a slower pace.
Cooking is a useful and low-cost school holiday activity, especially when the weather is not great.
Younger children can help decorate biscuits, make sandwiches, stir pancake mix or create their own pizza toppings. Older children and teenagers can plan and cook a simple lunch or dinner.
To make it more fun, set a small challenge. For example:
This can help keep kids busy and may also reduce spending on takeaway or extra snacks.
It helps to have a few indoor ideas ready before the holidays begin.
You could set up a simple afternoon using things you already have at home, such as board games, cards, puzzles, colouring, craft, paper planes, drawing, dress-ups, building blocks or a scavenger hunt.
For older kids, try a photography challenge, drawing challenge, short video project, playlist challenge, DIY quiz night or a board game tournament.
You do not need to plan the whole day. Even one or two prepared activities can help avoid the “I’m bored” moment.
Older children and teenagers may not be excited by playgrounds or craft activities, but there are still low-cost options to explore.
Look for local activities such as:
Teenagers may also enjoy being involved in the planning. Give them a budget and ask them to suggest one affordable activity for the family.
You do not need a full timetable for the school holidays. A simple backup list can be enough.
Before the holidays begin, write down a few ideas for different situations:
This makes it easier to make decisions without spending money at the last minute.
School holiday events change each term, so it is worth checking these pages before making plans. Some activities are free, while others may need bookings or payment.
School holidays do not have to be expensive to be enjoyable. Free museums, local libraries, council events, home activities and simple outdoor trips can all help keep kids entertained through winter.
Before booking paid activities, check what is available locally and decide what fits your budget. A little planning can help make the school holidays feel easier, calmer and more affordable.
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