Screen-free school holiday ideas
Ahhh, the school holidays. Weeks of laughter, fun and quality time spent with your precious angels, right? Whether you love or loathe school holidays, we’ve got some ideas to keep your kiddos entertained, that might even appeal to the child in you.
There’s no doubt that computers, iPads and TVs are school holiday lifesavers, but they can also swallow up hours of quality time that you could spend bonding with your kids. We’re the first to admit that there’s nothing worse than school holiday boredom, so we’ve thought up some screen-free activities you can fall back on when the kids are getting restless, you’re getting stressed and their time off school is feeling way, way too long.
Do a puzzle
Whether you’re on a plush rug indoors or soaking up the sun outside, a jigsaw puzzle is a great way to keep the kids entertained and their little minds stimulated. It also means you can take some time out to sit and chat with them, which sure beats chasing them around all day – win, win!
Hours of entertainment: 1+
Try a new craft
Knitting and crochet are two timeless, super-useful skills that many kids probably won’t ever pick up. While some may think this hobby is reserved for people over 70, there is actually a growing trend of knitted clothes and crochet keepsakes. And if you don’t know how to knit or crochet yourself, now is a great time to learn!
Hours of entertainment: 1+
Build a fort
Get out those spare blankets and replenish the peg supply – building an indoor cubby house is one way to keep the kids entertained for hours. All they’ll need are some well-positioned chairs, a bit of floor space and a lot of creativity. Plus, once the cubby’s built, they’ll have somewhere they can chill out.
Hours of entertainment: 2+
Do a board game
Board games are a tried and true way to keep children entertained, but have you thought about showing them how to make their own? Noughts and Crosses, Guess Who and Tic Tac Toe are a few examples of games they can recreate, but they could also make up their own if they’re feeling inspired! Pick up some coloured card, clue and a set of coloured markers and watch their imaginations run wild.
Hours of entertainment: 2+
A twist on the essentials
We've showed you how to take your FunBites cutter from lunch packing to play, using it as a stamp for paint, or to make shapes out of play dough. Why not let them get creative with other products, too? They could turn their Drink in the Box into a maraca, or their Yumbox tray into a Barbie spa bath? And when all else fails, pack up some lunch and head to the park or playground for the day.
Hours of entertainment: infinite