15 Fun Things to Do During School Holidays

Children's holiday activities are one of the best ways to keep kids happy, active, and learning while school is out. School holidays give families the perfect chance to slow down, spend quality time together, and create memories that children will treasure for years. Whether you're staying at home, heading outdoors, or planning a short family adventure, there are plenty of exciting ways to keep boredom away.

The good news is that entertaining kids during the holidays doesn't have to cost a fortune. With a little creativity, you can turn ordinary days into fun-filled experiences. From creative crafts and backyard games to nature walks and family cooking sessions, there are endless things to do on the holidays that suit every age and budget.

This informative blog shares 15 simple, affordable, and enjoyable ideas that Australian families can try during the break. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventures or indoor school holiday activities, there's something here for everyone.

Why Planning Things to Do in School Holidays Matters

School holidays are a great opportunity for children to recharge after a busy school term. While rest is important, having a few planned activities helps children stay curious, active, and socially engaged.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), less than one-quarter (23%) of Australian children aged 5-14 achieve the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This makes active holiday experiences even more important for supporting children's health and wellbeing. 

Some benefits of planning holiday activities include:

• Reduces screen time
  

• Encourages creativity
  

• Supports physical health
  

• Builds family connections
  

• Helps children develop new skills
  

• Creates lasting family memories

The best part is that many of these ideas can be done with everyday items you already have at home.

15 Fun Things to Do on Holidays With Kids

The fun children's holiday activities include the following:

1. Have a Backyard Picnic

You don't have to travel far for a memorable family outing. Spread a picnic blanket in the backyard or visit your local park.

Pack sandwiches, fruit, homemade snacks, and refreshing drinks. Bring along a ball, frisbee, or kite to make the day even more exciting.

Kids love simple experiences when they're shared with family.

2. Create an Arts and Crafts Day

Arts and crafts encourage imagination while helping children improve their fine motor skills.

Fun craft ideas include:

• Painting rocks
  

• Making greeting cards
  

• Decorating flower pots
  

• Creating paper animals
  

• Building cardboard castles
  

• Designing friendship bracelets

Display their artwork around the house to boost their confidence.

3. Go on a Nature Adventure

Australia is full of beautiful parks, walking trails, beaches, and bushland waiting to be explored.

Bring along:

• A small backpack
  

• Water bottles
  

• Binoculars
  

• A notebook for nature spotting

Challenge children to find different birds, insects, flowers, or trees along the way.

This is one of the easiest children's holiday activities that combines learning with outdoor fun.

4. Enjoy Family Bike or Scooter Rides

Explore your local neighbourhood together on bikes or scooters.

Choose safe bike paths or parks where children can ride comfortably. Stop for an ice cream or picnic along the way to make the outing even more enjoyable.

It's a great way to keep everyone active during the holidays.

5. Try Fun Baking Sessions

Kids love helping in the kitchen.

Choose simple recipes like:

• Muffins

• Cookies

• Mini pizzas
  

• Fruit skewers
  

• Healthy bliss balls

Cooking together teaches measuring, following instructions, and teamwork.

Even better, everyone gets to enjoy the delicious results.

6. Build an Indoor Fort

Looking for indoor school holiday activities on rainy days?

Gather:

• Blankets
  

• Pillows
  

• Chairs
  

• Fairy lights
  

• Favourite books

Children can turn their fort into a reading nook, pretend campsite, or secret clubhouse.

It costs nothing but provides hours of entertainment.

7. Organise a Treasure Hunt

Treasure hunts are exciting for children of all ages.

Hide clues around your home or backyard and let kids solve simple puzzles to find the final prize.

The prize could be:

• A favourite snack
  

• A small toy
  

• Stickers
  

• Extra playtime
  

• A family movie choice

This activity encourages problem-solving while keeping everyone moving.

8. Visit Local Museums or Libraries

Many Australian museums and libraries offer free or low-cost school holiday programs.

Children can enjoy:

• Storytelling sessions
  

• Science activities
  

• Craft workshops
  

• Interactive exhibitions
  

• Educational games

It's one of the most rewarding things to do during school holidays while continuing to learn outside the classroom.

9. Start a Small Garden

Gardening teaches patience and responsibility.

Children can grow:

• Tomatoes
  

• Herbs
  

• Lettuce
  

• Strawberries
  

• Flowers

Watching plants grow over the holidays gives kids a sense of achievement while encouraging healthy eating habits.

10. Plan a Family Movie Marathon

Transform your living room into a mini cinema.

Prepare:

• Popcorn
  

• Healthy snacks
  

• Cosy blankets
  

• Favourite family movies

Let each family member choose one movie to keep everyone involved.

This is one of the easiest indoor school holiday activities for relaxing together.

11. Explore a New Beach or National Park

Australia offers countless family-friendly beaches and national parks.

Spend the day:

• Building sandcastles
  

• Collecting shells
  

• Walking scenic trails
  

• Spotting wildlife
  

• Playing beach games

Children naturally learn about nature while enjoying the fresh air.

12. Host a Family Games Tournament

Dust off your favourite board games or card games.

Popular options include:

• Uno
  

• Monopoly
  

• Guess Who?
  

• Jenga
  

• Connect Four

Create a scoreboard and award fun prizes at the end.

Games help children practise patience, teamwork, and problem-solving.

13. Volunteer Together

Teaching kindness is one of the most valuable holiday lessons.

Families can:

• Donate toys
  

• Help at community events.
  

• Collect food for local charities.
  

• Clean up a nearby park.

Children learn empathy while making a positive difference in their community.

14. Create a Holiday Scrapbook

Capture holiday memories in one place.

Include:

• Photos
  

• Drawings
  

• Tickets
  

• Stickers
  

• Leaves collected on walks
  

• Written memories

Children love looking back at their holiday adventures long after school starts again.

15. Enjoy a Bento Lunch Adventure

Turn lunchtime into part of the fun by preparing colourful, healthy bento-style meals together.

Let children help pack:

• Fresh fruit
  

• Veggie sticks
  

• Sandwiches
  

• Cheese cubes
  

• Homemade snacks

Using reusable lunchboxes makes food more exciting while helping reduce waste.

This activity combines creativity, healthy eating, and quality family time, making it one of the most enjoyable children's holiday activities for Australian families.

Simple Tips to Make Things to Do on the Holidays More Enjoyable

You don't need a packed schedule to create amazing holidays. A few simple habits can make every activity more enjoyable.

Mix indoor and outdoor activities.

A mix of indoor and outdoor fun keeps children interested throughout the holidays. If the weather changes, you can easily switch plans without letting boredom take over. 

Let children help choose activities.

Ask your children what they'd like to do and include their ideas in your holiday plans. When kids have a choice, they're usually more excited and eager to join in. 

Keep screen time balanced.

It's fine to enjoy movies or games, but try to balance screen time with active play, reading, or creative projects. This helps children stay healthy, engaged, and connected with the family. 

Focus on experiences, not spending.

You don't need expensive outings to create happy memories. Simple activities like picnics, nature walks, baking, or board games often become the moments children remember most.

Stay flexible

Not every day has to follow a strict plan. If the weather changes or your child wants to try something different, being flexible helps keep the holidays fun and stress-free for everyone.

Make Holiday Meals Easier With BentoBliss

School holidays often mean preparing more meals and snacks throughout the day. Having practical, reusable lunchboxes makes life much easier for busy families.

At BentoBliss, we believe healthy eating should be simple and enjoyable. Our carefully selected range of eco-friendly lunchboxes, drink bottles, and accessories helps parents pack fresh, balanced meals with less stress and less waste.

Founded by Nirali and Yash, BentoBliss supports Australian families by offering practical products that are built to last. Even better, every order helps rescue a plastic bottle from landfill or our oceans, making every purchase a small step towards a cleaner future.

Whether you're packing a picnic for the park, snacks for a road trip, or lunch for a family adventure, BentoBliss helps make every meal easier, healthier, and more sustainable.

Final Say on Children's Holiday Activities

School holidays don't have to be packed with expensive outings to be memorable. The best fun things to do on holidays are often the simplest, whether that's building a blanket fort, baking together, exploring nature, or enjoying a picnic in the backyard.

By mixing outdoor adventures, creative projects, family games, and indoor school holiday activities, you'll keep children entertained while helping them learn, grow, and build lasting memories.

Most importantly, school holidays are about spending quality time together. Those shared laughs, small adventures, and everyday moments are what children will remember long after the holidays are over.

Shop with confidence with BentoBliss!
Happy Holidays from the BentoBliss team.

FAQs about Children’s Holiday Activities

1. What are the best children's holiday activities for younger kids?

Simple activities like arts and crafts, treasure hunts, backyard picnics, gardening, baking, and building blanket forts are perfect for younger children. They are fun, easy to organise, and encourage creativity.

2. What are some free things to do on the holidays?

Many free holiday ideas include visiting local parks, beaches, libraries, playgrounds, nature walks, bike rides, family games, and community events. These activities keep children entertained without stretching your budget.

3. What are the best indoor school holiday activities for rainy days?

Indoor favourites include craft projects, baking, movie marathons, reading, puzzles, board games, science experiments, and creating indoor forts. These activities keep kids busy even when the weather isn't great.

4. How can I keep my children active during school holidays?

Encourage outdoor games, bike or scooter rides, bushwalks, swimming, sports, treasure hunts, and visits to local parks. Mixing active play with creative activities helps children stay healthy and engaged.

5. How do I plan affordable things to do in school holidays?

Start by creating a simple list of free or low-cost activities. Combine home-based fun like crafts and baking with visits to local parks, beaches, museums, or libraries. Planning helps you make the most of the holidays without overspending.