Ten things to do before the school holidays are over

The long summer holidays are drawing to a close, but there are a few things we’d like to tick off the list before school heads back. Here are the top ten things we’ll be squeezing in, to make sure we finish the holidays feeling relaxed and accomplished.

Take a hike

You’ve got nothing but long, sunny days with no agenda ahead, so hit the trail and explore your area – or head further afield – while taking a hike. Pack plenty of water, sunscreen and a hat, and maybe even your togs if you’re hiking near a watering hole. We’re blessed with thousands of great hiking spots here in Australia, and there is a community of passionate hikers who keep online forums up-to-date with the latest info

Declutter

We’ve all been there. Your kids are in their second week back at school, and you’re already suffocating under the clutter of school terms past. Pulling the millionth LEGO brick from your kids’ forgotten pile of dirty laundry, you ask yourself: “why didn’t we declutter when we had the time?” Well, now is the time!

Get crafty

There are plenty of DIY ways to have fun indoors – from painting to cubby-making, card games, board games, dress-ups, and more – but if your kids are tired of the classic options, why not get creative making your own versions of some fun activities? Turn empty bottles into bowling pins, put a mattress on the floor as a makeshift trampoline or have your children set up their own scavenger hunt (it will keep them busy for hours).

Ride a bike

Get the blood pumping and see your city from the seat of a bike these school holidays. Make the most of the warm weather and pack a picnic to enjoy when you find a picturesque resting spot. A quick Google will reveal the best bike paths near you.

Have a movie marathon

There’s no time like the school holidays to lounge around in your pyjamas, so gather the kids and your comfiest blankets and host a movie marathon at home. All you’ll need is a Netflix or Stan subscription (or a DVD player, if you’re old-school), a dark room and plenty of popcorn. To beat the heat, hit your local cinema – the summer holidays are prime time for family-friendly new releases.

Get into fitness

Set a New Year’s resolution to ‘get fit’? Making a start while you’re in holiday mode is a great way to get into the habit before things get really hectic. With a bit of extra time to play with, you can experiment with different forms of fitness to see what you enjoy the most.

Set up a savings plan

Just as you can get ahead on your fitness resolution on the school holidays, you can also use this time to get your family started on your savings goals. Between sports fees, school lunches, extra-curricular equipment and your children’s social lives – not to mention your own semblance of one – it always feels like you’re haemorrhaging money faster than you can count it. Now is the time to look into which family budget will work for you, and get your kids excited about saving, too!

Spend time outdoors

Whether you’re gardening, flying a kite or simply enjoying the feeling of grass or dirt beneath your feet, there’s something so special about spending time outdoors during summer. If you don’t have a backyard, head to your nearest park – preferably, one with a great playground – and settle in for hours of good, clean family fun. 

Try something new

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try, but never had the time to pick up? It could be rock climbing? A musical instrument? Pot pourri? Whatever tickles your fancy, make the most of these last few weeks of school holidays to give it a go. You may fall in love with it, you may not. At least you tried it!