School holidays turn my days upside down. Frantic mornings turn into lazy ones and afternoons are drawn out into dusk. I like it. However, like any change of routine, it takes a little getting used to. My secret to happy school holidays is in three parts. The first thing is to expect some adjustment time, where everyone gets used to a new routine (and living on top of each other). The second part of the secret is to do fun stuff that you wouldn’t ordinarily do. This doesn’t need to be expensive or time extensive; I’ll explain a little more below. The third key to happy school holidays is to have enough down time so the parent doesn’t get burnt out.
- Expect Adjustment Time
My kids get on most of the time but far out, the first couple of days of the school holidays drive me nuts. I would say this is pretty normal; there not so much of a routine pm school holidays and the kids have to get used to be in each other’s pockets a little more. I try and see this as an opportunity to invest in my children’s relationships with each other, and I remind myself that there it always gets a little easier after we get over that first hump.
- Do Fun Stuff
I have wonderful memories of school holidays. My mum couldn’t afford to do elaborate outings but she always made school holidays fun, special and a little out of the ordinary. It’s now my turn to be mum and I aim to give my children the same level of excitement and enjoyment I experienced. Below are some ways I make school holidays special.
Treats
I can afford to spoil my kids a little in the school holidays because I usually keep things very simple at home.
- Breakfast cereal: Usually breakfast at our place consists of toast, wheat biscuits or porridge. When school holidays, I buy something a little special like Coco Pops. The children think this is a great treat!
- Ice-cream: Going out to a shopping centre for an ice-cream cone can turn into an outing for the day.
- Straws: I keep a cup full of straws out on school holidays. The children love using them to drink their water or milk.
- Dinner: Eating out is something I plan one night of the school holidays followed by a movie.
Games & Activities
There are certain things I keep in the cupboard for school holidays for lazy home days. These simple materials can be turned into all sorts of fun games and activities:
School Holiday Kit
- Balloons
- Streamers
- Drawing materials
- Straws
- Cotton wool balls
Straws: Straws are good for all sorts of fun things; from drinking milk and making straw boats to having a cotton wool ball races to blow painting.
Straw boat: All you need is sticky tape and straws.
Cotton Ball Race: Blow the cotton wool with a straw across a table or smooth floor surface.
Balloons: Balloons are gold when it comes to cheap fun. They don’t take up any space so are easy to carry around in your handbag. Below are some games kids can play with balloons
- Piggy in the middle
- Keep the balloon up in the air
- Have races with a balloon between the legs
- Hide messages in a few balloons before blowing them up and popping them
- Draw faces on a balloon
Streamers: Crepe party streamers come in all different colours and are easy to store in a drawer. Below are some of the ways kids can use streamers in the school holidays:
- Tie streamers around a hair band. Put on your wrist and dance to music.
- Tie a line of streamers to a branch of a tree to make a secret entrance to a cubby house
- Run around the back yard (or park) holding a few streamer lengths
- Play vets or hospitals and use the streamers as bandages
Drawing materials: I keep drawing materials out and handy on the school holidays. As well drawing on paper, mix it up with these ideas:
- Draw on a piece of wood
- Draw with old lipstick, eye shadow or nail polish
- Buy a clipboard and go on a nature walk
- Draw on a cardboard box
Outings
The school holidays are a perfect opportunity to do activities outside the home. Below are a few ideas:
- Go for a walk on the beach
- Visit a museum
- Play at a park
- Drive down a new street
- Catch a bus or train
- Go on a bushwalk
- Swim at a pool
- Visit a friend’s house
If you need even more ideas, visit my 100 School Holiday Activities Ideas Post
- Down Time
My kids would love each day to be packed with a thousand activities but I can’t keep up (and even though they don’t realise it, they need rest too!). To ensure we are all relatively rested and refreshed for when the school returns, I make sure we have enough lazy home days and regular quiet time throughout the day.
I see school holidays as an opportunity to invest in our family dynamics. Making it fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune; it’s all about making it a little out of the ordinary.
