School holidays are a chance for kids to recharge, families to reconnect, and parents to (hopefully!) keep their sanity intact. Striking a balance between planned activities and downtime is the key.
The school holidays always seem to sneak up quickly. While the kids are excited for a break, parents are often left wondering how to keep everyone entertained without exhausting the budget (or their own energy!). The good news? With a little planning and plenty of room for flexibility, you can make the holidays fun, memorable, and even relaxing for the whole family.
Here are 10 tips to help you get the most out of the school holidays.
1. Create a loose plan
A little structure can go a long way. Pop a calendar on the fridge with a few activities pencilled in so everyone has something to look forward to, but keep it flexible enough for last-minute changes. If you’re working during the holidays, figure out what days you can take off, when you’ll need childcare and when #2 will be handy to fit into the schedule.
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2. Choose a class or workshop
School holidays are a great time to get the kids into something new or to nurture some talents. Local sports clubs, community groups or attractions often run school holiday activities or programmes. Whether it’s learning how to rollerskate, picking up on some coding skills, or creating an artwork, you can make it even more fun by finding them a friend to go along with. Check out our school holiday directory for programmes in your area.
3. Check out community events
Libraries, community centres, and councils often put on free or low-cost activities during the holidays. Story times, craft sessions, or family fun days are great ways to break up the week.
4. Get out into nature
Some of the best days don’t cost a thing. Explore local parks, beaches, or bush walks, pack a picnic, and make a day of it. Nature has a way of entertaining kids (and tiring them out!).
5. Try themed days at home
You don’t need to spend big for kids to feel like it’s special. Have a movie afternoon, complete with homemade movie snacks, or pitch a tent in the backyard for a mini camping adventure.
6. Allow for some downtime
Holidays don’t need to be wall-to-wall activities. Kids (and parents) need time to slow down too, whether that’s reading a book, building LEGO, or simply enjoying a lazy morning.
7. Plan a ‘big’ treat
Choose an outing to make the holidays feel special – like a trip to the movies, a trampoline park, or going to the stadium to cheer on their favourite team. Explore our school holiday guide for ideas.
8. Let the kids have a say
Ask your kids what they’d like to do. Their ideas might surprise you – and often they’re simple, like baking together or riding bikes.
9. Keep an “I’m bored” box
Have a stash of board games, puzzles, craft supplies, or baking ingredients ready for those rainy days. A quick activity on hand can turn boredom into creativity. Or try our Boredom buster jar idea.
10. Leave room for spontaneity
Some of the best memories come from unplanned adventures, like an impromptu ice cream run, a picnic dinner at the beach, or even just staying up a little later for a family games night.
Written by Julie Lankow
Julie is Editor for Kidspot NZ and our MVP. Her hobbies include laughing uncontrollably at her own jokes, incidentally revealing her age during quizzes, and never taking anything too seriously.
Favourite motto to live by: “It ain’t nothing but a thing”
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