School holidays don’t always have to mean expensive outings or jam-packed travel plans. Sometimes, the best memories are made right at home — especially when the weather’s not ideal or you just feel like enjoying the comfort of your own space. The key is having a variety of fun, stimulating activities that work for kids of all ages, without needing special equipment or elaborate preparation.

Here are 11 engaging at-home ideas to keep boredom at bay while helping your children learn, create, and connect.

1. Set Up a “Home Grocery Store”

Turn your kitchen into a miniature supermarket! Give the kids a basket or reusable shopping bag and let them “shop” for their snacks for the day. Use toy money, homemade paper currency, or even bottle caps as a fun stand-in for cash. They’ll enjoy deciding what to “buy,” and you can sneak in a little maths practice as they count coins, calculate totals, and give change. It’s an imaginative activity that’s both entertaining and educational — and they’ll get a delicious reward at the end.

2. Learn Something New Online

The school break is the perfect opportunity for kids to explore topics they’re curious about but might not cover in class. Online learning can be anything from virtual museum tours and beginner’s photography classes to learning a new language or picking up coding skills. The internet makes it all possible from the comfort of home.

Tip: Check out programs like Code Camp, which offer holiday activities for kids aged 5–13. They run both online and in-person camps where children can create their own video games, learn DJ skills, explore animation, and even start their own YouTube channels. It’s hands-on, creative, and blends STEM learning with fun.

3. Become a Street Artist

Every driveway, balcony, or footpath is a blank canvas. Armed with chalk, kids can create colourful murals, draw hopscotch grids, or design winding race tracks for toy cars. The best part? In winter, the rain will often wash away their work overnight, giving them a fresh surface to decorate the next day.

4. Dive Into Reading

Reading isn’t just about improving literacy — it’s a gateway to imagination, empathy, and relaxation. Whether it’s a gripping novel, a comic book, or a stack of picture books, reading time offers a calm moment for the whole family. Encourage older children to find a quiet spot and younger ones to read aloud with you. Even if it’s only 15–20 minutes, it’s a daily ritual that pays long-term dividends.

5. Grow Your Own Veggies

Gardening is a wonderful way to connect kids with nature. Even a small veggie patch or a few potted herbs can teach them about plant species, life cycles, and the conditions plants need to thrive. Digging in the soil, planting seeds, and watering the garden also engages their senses and strengthens fine motor skills. Plus, they’ll love watching their plants grow — and maybe even eating what they’ve produced.

6. Play a Game of Cards

Replace screen time with a good old-fashioned deck of cards. Classics like Go Fish, Snap, or Uno (if you have it) can keep the whole family entertained. Card games build strategic thinking, patience, focus, and quick decision-making skills — all while keeping things light-hearted and competitive in a friendly way.

7. Make Bath Time Colourful

Turn an ordinary bath into a science experiment with a few drops of food colouring. Fill empty soap or shampoo bottles with water dyed in different colours, and let kids mix them in the bath to see what new shades they can create. It’s a safe, mess-free way to explore cause and effect while adding excitement to the daily routine.

8. Bake & Decorate Together

Baking is the ultimate holiday activity: it combines creativity, teamwork, and learning. Start in the morning by making DIY aprons from old t-shirts, then spend the afternoon baking biscuits, cupcakes, or simple breads. Measuring ingredients encourages maths skills, while decorating lets kids show off their artistic flair — and of course, you all get to enjoy the sweet results.

9. Put on a Puppet Show

Raid the odd sock pile and the craft box to make sock puppets. Add buttons for eyes, wool for hair, and scraps of fabric for clothes. Once the puppets are ready, help the kids set up a “stage” using a table and a blanket, and let them perform their own stories. It’s a great way to encourage imaginative play, storytelling skills, and confidence in speaking.

10. Enjoy Guilt-Free Screen Time

Screens don’t have to mean passive entertainment. Use them for interactive and enriching activities like video calls with grandparents, online yoga classes, or virtual playdates with friends. Educational options, such as Cluey Learning’s online tutoring for Years 2–12, can help kids sharpen their skills during the break. Balance is key — but when used well, screen time can be a powerful learning tool.

11. Watch the Sunset Together

One of the simplest yet most rewarding activities is watching the sunset as a family. Winter makes this even easier, as the sun sets earlier in the evening. Wrap up warm, grab some blankets, and head outside or to a window with a good view. It’s a peaceful moment to slow down, talk, and enjoy the beauty of nature — the perfect way to wind down before bedtime.

Final Tip: The best holiday activities are those that blend fun with learning, creativity with connection. Whether you’re whipping up cookies, chalking up the driveway, or planting a mini garden, the goal is to make memories that your kids will carry well beyond the break.