As the school holidays approach, it’s time to think about what to do to keep the kids entertained during the long break. There are plenty of activities you can undertake that are not only cheap, but your kids will also love them and have fun at the same time. So if you’re on a low budget or want to save money, here are some inexpensive – and even free – things you could do with the kids while they’re away from school:

Activities to do at home

Cook or bake food

Not only will your kids have fun experimenting with food, but they’ll also learn how to make their own food. Try simple things like pizza, salad, cake, or cookies.

Camp out

Set up a tent in the backyard, roast marshmallows and tell stories under the stars. You can also camp out in the living room if the weather is bad.

Play dress ups

Let your kids try on your clothes, such as scarves, hats and coats, and have them put on a fashion show. Take photos or film it so you can remember it for years to come.

Invite a playdate

Invite your child’s friend/s over to play at your place. You can keep them entertained with art and craft activities or board games.

Write a story together

Not only can this improve their storytelling and writing skills, but it can also enhance their reading skills and get them using their imagination.

Have a party

There are many kinds of parties you can have with your kids and/or their friends, such as a masquerade party, an afternoon tea party in the garden, or a dance party.

Make Christmas cards

Get your kids’ creative juices flowing by making Christmas cards together to give to their friends or relatives.

Do a treasure hunt

Hide things around the house or backyard, like candies or kids’ knick-knacks, and write clues or make a treasure map so your kids can find these treasures.

Play games

There are a lot of games you can play with your kids, including hide-and-seek, Twister, charades, or card/board games like Go Fish or Monopoly.

Watch a movie

Borrow a kids movie from the library or rent one. Also grab some popcorn to eat and turn the lights down as you watch, so it feels just like being in the cinema.

Play with water

If you have a swimming pool, consider playing water polo. Or, hose down a tarpaulin or plastic for a slip‘n’slide. You can also play with the water sprinklers or have a water fight with water bombs.

Make a veggie garden

Let your kids plant herbs or veggies in the garden or in pots. Choose seedlings or something that grows fast so they can watch them grow during the holidays and even start to use them in cooking.

Makeover the kids’ bedroom

Move things around for a new, fresh look. Also get rid of unused stuff. Your kids will be sure to have fun while reorganising their room.

Learn magic tricks

Borrow a book on magic tricks from the library or do your research online, and then help your kids learn how to do card tricks or juggle three balls.

Set up and perform a stage play

Have your kids make the costumes and sets, as well as write the script. You can invite their friends or relatives over to watch the play.

Build a cubby house

You don’t have to literally build one; a simple pillow fort will suffice. Place sheets or blankets over the dinner table and fill the space with pillows and cushions.

Play music

Buy your child a cheap guitar or borrow one from a friend or music school, or get them a harmonica or melodica. You can also consider dancing to music.

Have a theme day

There are many themes you can do, such as butterflies, fairies, princesses, dinosaurs, pirates, or a specific colour (e.g. wear red clothes or eat red food).

Do arts and crafts

Try face or finger painting or make a collage, beaded jewellery, papier-mâché, masks, fairy wings or a scrap book. You can even let your kids try knitting.

Getting out of the home

Go to the beach

It’s fun to swim at the beach when the weather is hot and it’s free too. You can collect shells with your kids, build sandcastles or teach them how to surf.

Go to the park and have a picnic

Many local parks have playgrounds with swings, slides and climbing equipment. You can also pack a picnic so you can eat while the kids play.

Go bike riding or rollerblading

Ride around the neighbourhood, along a bike track, or at the local bike and skate park. This can offer your kids hours of fun and exercise.

Explore museums or art galleries

Not only will your kids learn about the local culture, but they can also do art projects or enjoy free performances.

Go bushwalking or hiking

You can go on a bushwalk in a national park or take a hike up a mountain. You’ll be able to get some fresh air and maybe even spot a wombat or two.

Visit beach rock or harbour pools

You can explore life under the sea at beach rock pools, while harbour pools offer netted swimming enclosures, playgrounds and cafés.

Tour your city

Take a day tour around your city and get to know it better. Visit new towns, historical villages, environmental centres, theme parks, or drive up a mountain or to the country.

Go to fairs and markets

Find out where summer fairs or farmers markets are being held near you and head there in the morning. Your kids will have a great time exploring one.

Go fishing

Grab your fishing equipment and take your kids with you to catch some free fish for dinner. Even if you don’t catch any fish, your kids will learn something new and will enjoy being outdoors.

Make a kite and fly it

Do your research online on how to make a kite. Your kids can spend hours decorating theirs as they see fit, and then you can all go to your local park to fly your homemade kite.

Go to a swimming pool

Head to your local swimming pool. Some pools have water slides or even heated pools, which are great for colder weather.

Visit the library

Some libraries run a variety of courses and workshops for kids, like arts and crafts, computing, electronics, writing and storytelling.

Visit a theatre

Bring your kids to a free, live and family-friendly theatre show in your local area. Some theatre companies host various workshops for kids during the school holidays.

Head to the shops

Some shopping centres host free kids activities in the holidays, such as live entertainment, arts and crafts, plays or music. You can also go window shopping.

Watch a movie

When watching a movie at the cinema, it’s best to go on a Tuesday as tickets are cheaper then. To save even more money, buy your own popcorn and drinks.

Go bird or butterfly watching

Grab your binoculars and take your kids out for a day to watch birds or butterflies. Also have your kids take notes of what they saw.

Go bowling

Head to your local bowling alley for some fun ten pin bowling. It’s relatively cheap and there may even be an air hockey table for when the kids want a break from bowling.

Visit a farm

A lot of farmers are more than happy to let you and your kids take a short tour around their farm. They might even let you pet some of the animals.

As you can see, there are many fun activities you can do with your kids during the school holidays without breaking the bank.

Money saving tips for travelling in the school holidays

Many families take the opportunity to travel during the school holidays, and even though things can be more expensive during this period, there are ways you can save your precious dollars and still let your kids have all the fun in the world. Here are some tips:

• If you’re hiring a car, consider a hybrid vehicle because they use less petrol.
• When adding fuel to your car, fill up in metropolitan areas rather than in remote regions where the prices are higher.
• Look for free entry at museums or galleries and free outdoor activities like bike riding, going to the park or bushwalking.
• Use your food and fuel discount vouchers or your membership and concession cards for more savings.
• Travel during off-peak times – this is right before and after the school holidays. You can save on accommodation prices during off-peak times.
• You can find last-minute discount accommodation deals online.
• Steer clear of expensive hotels. Apartments and holiday house swaps can save you money and you can even cook your own meals.
• Or, to save even more money, forego hotels and apartments and consider camping out or staying at a caravan park.
• If you’re staying at a caravan park, look for one with plenty of attractions for the kids, as they’re usually included in the accommodation price so you don’t need to spend extra to keep them entertained.
• It’s cheaper to book flights online, and the cheapest flights occur during the middle of the week, early in the morning or late at night.
• Do your research, work out your budget and avoid going to expensive places.

Most importantly, have fun!