School holidays are a highly anticipated time for kids, as they mean a break from studies and a chance to relax and have fun. However, it can be challenging for parents to avoid making their kids feel bored at home, especially if they have busy schedules or the weather could be more favourable for outdoor activities.
Thankfully, numerous educational and enjoyable activities can keep kids engaged and entertained during the school holidays. These activities offer a fun way to pass the time and promote the development of critical skills such as problem-solving, creativity, communication, and critical thinking.
In this article, we will delve into 8 of the best school holiday activities that parents can plan for their children to shoo the school holiday boredom away!
Pssstt, these are just a few theme suggestions. The possibilities are endless… Use your imagination!
Read A New Book Weekly
Reading is an activity that kids of all ages can enjoy, and it is an excellent way to keep them entertained during school holidays. Reading can help children develop their vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
Themed Movie Night
Set aside a specific time each day for reading and provide your kids with age-appropriate books. Whether they prefer fiction or non-fiction, reading will captivate their imagination.
Movie nights are a classic family-fun activity to spend time together, and they can also be used to teach children about different cultures and historical events. Parents can choose movies that are age-appropriate and have educational value, and they can also encourage their children to discuss the film afterwards.
Why just watch movies when you can make them? Take it up a notch and turn your home into a film set! Encourage your kids to write their own scripts, act out their parts, and even direct the movie. This activity will develop their creativity, teamwork, and communication skills.
Cooking with Your Little Sous Chefs
Cooking is a fun activity that kids can enjoy with their parents, and it also teaches them important life skills such as following instructions, measuring ingredients, and kitchen safety. Parents can involve their children in meal planning and preparation and encourage them to try new recipes. They may even surprise you with their culinary skills!
Fun Science Experiments at Home
Science experiments are an excellent way for kids to learn about the world around them and develop their critical thinking skills. Parents can give their children materials and instructions for simple experiments such as making a volcano or a homemade lava lamp. We know we used to LOVE fun Frankenstein experiments in our backyards as kids back in our day!
Play Board Games with the Whole Family
Board games are a classic way to unite the family and promote healthy competition. Scrabble, chess, and Monopoly are not only fun but also have educational benefits. Scrabble can help improve vocabulary, spelling, and reading skills, while chess can teach children critical thinking and strategy. Monopoly can also help children understand basic financial concepts such as budgeting and investing. Talk to your kids about these concepts while playing a fun game; they’ll surely remember the lesson for years!
Set Up An Indoor Scavenger Hunt
An indoor scavenger hunt is a thrilling and challenging way to keep your kids entertained during school holidays. Create a list of items for your kids to find around the house, and add riddles or puzzles to make it more challenging. This activity will develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills, promoting teamwork and cooperation.
Give the Kids’ Bedrooms a Makeover
Giving the kids’ bedrooms a makeover during the school holidays is an exciting project for the whole family. Involve your children in the process by letting them choose the colour scheme or theme for their room. This activity boosts creativity and teaches responsibility (aside from keeping the kids busy!).
Building with Lego
Lego is every kid’s favourite pastime activity, and for a good reason! Playing with Lego develops their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem-solving, and attention span. Lego can also teach children about colours, counting, fractions, prepositions, and other basic concepts.
Remember, the key to a successful school holiday is to plan ahead and involve your children in the process. Let them choose the fun activities they want to do, and encourage them to try new things.
These activities not only provide a break from screen time and video games but also promote creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork. With a bit of creativity and imagination, you can make this school holiday a fun and memorable experience for the whole family.
