School Holiday Tips and Ideas

Time to strap in as school is out!

When they are at school the day seems to fly by and before you know it you’re back at the playground collecting them.. but now the days seem to have slowed like some sort of bizarre time warp.  Your kids are at home and it is up to you to entertain them!

Here are some tips and ideas for surviving those endless days.

Plan ahead

One of the most important things you can do is to plan ahead. Create a schedule for each day and include a mix of activities, such as outings, crafts, and playtime. This will help you stay organised and ensure that your child has a variety of things to do.

Arm yourself with snacks

Is it even the holidays if you don’t get asked for a snack every 20 seconds? A great tip is to stock up with all the Isaac’s Snacks and then make up a daily snack bag or box. Do one for each child and explain that in there is ALL their snacks for the day. It is up to them when they eat them. When they’re gone, they’re gone!

Get creative with activities

Imaginative activities are a great way to keep kids occupied during school holidays, see some ideas below:

• Make a "fort city" out of blankets and pillows. Kids love building forts, and the more elaborate the better. Add some toy soldiers and a few stuffed animals, and your child will have hours of fun playing in their new "city."
• Hold a family Olympics competition. Set up a series of silly challenges, such as potato sack races or hula hoop contests, and award medals to the winners. Bonus points for creating a hilarious opening ceremony!
• Have a "crazy costume day." Encourage your child to come up with the craziest, most outrageous outfit they can imagine, and wear it all day. You might end up with a walking piece of art or a mini fashion icon!
• Play a game of "musical chairs" with a twist. Instead of chairs, use different types of food (like pizzas or cupcakes), and have the kids race to grab the food item instead of sitting down. It's messy but sure to be a hit!
• Stage a silly photo shoot. Gather props and costumes, and set up a photo booth in your home. Kids can take turns posing for pictures and coming up with silly poses or faces. You'll end up with some hilarious pictures to remember the holiday by!

Go on outings

If you’ve not gone away take this time to max out the museums and any attractions or activities on for the holidays. Make sure to pack a picnic lunch and bring plenty of snacks and water.

Enroll your child in a holiday program

We all need a break during the holidays, so booking your child in for a day or two is a great way to get some time off yourself but also a great way to keep your child engaged and learning during the break.

Encourage reading

Reading is a great way to keep kids occupied and engaged during school holidays. Encourage your child to read books that interest them, whether it's fiction, non-fiction, or graphic novels. Visit the library and create a reading challenge or set a goal for your child to read a certain number of books during the break.

Organise playdates

Organising playdates with other kids can be a fun way to keep your child entertained during the break. Invite your child's friends over for a playdate, or arrange to meet up at a local park or playground. This will give your child a chance to socialise and have fun with other kids their age.

There will certainly be hard moments, and you check your calendar to see how many days are left, but you will hopefully also great some memories and have those joyful moments that make it all worthwhile! Good luck.