10 fun things to do with the kids these summer school holidays

by admin | 25th November 2021 | , ,

The summer school holidays are fast approaching.

This means six weeks of unstructured days are coming – are you prepared?

Maybe you’re looking forward to the kids sleeping in, giving you more alone time in the morning to start each day intentionally.

Or maybe you’re dreading hearing “I’m bored, there’s nothing to do” repeated like a broken record. And this happens before the end of the first week of holidays!

Whatever your expectation is for school holidays, as a parent it can be hard to think of enough activities to keep your kids occupied during what seems like an endless six weeks, without the routine of school days.

Having a go-to list of activities can make life during the school holidays much easier.

To help you plan for the holiday season, we’ve rounded up 10 fun offline activities you can do with the kids these summer holidays. By the time you finish reading, you will be fresh full of ideas to share with your children!

1. Spend time with friends

School may be out of session but that doesn’t mean the socialising needs to stop. Keep your child connected with others by enrolling them in summer holiday programs or arranging for them to spend the day with a friend or two.

2. Visit the Royal National Park

In NSW, we’re blessed with beautiful surroundings and nature. The school holidays are the perfect time to enjoy it. Get out in nature with the children by visiting the Royal National Park and exploring their bush tracks – you may even end up at an expanse of water and go for a swim.

3. Get adventurous

If your child has an adventurous spirit, you can encourage them to channel their inner “Bear Grylls” at an outdoor course like Treetop Adventure Park, with the thrills of flying foxes, suspension bridges and tree top obstacles. It’s also an effective way to stay active.

4. Do water-based activities

There’s no better time to enjoy the water than during the summer school holidays. If your child can swim and is that way inclined, you can do more than swimming and engage in other water-based activities such as snorkelling, kayaking or paddle boarding. Or, head to Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre for the water playground and urban jungle adventure park.

5. Go to the zoo (or aquarium)

This activity is perfect for animal loving kids, and you can easily spend an entire day at both the zoo and the aquarium. Make it a family day out by inviting their siblings along too.

6. Keep them learning at museums

Is your child into science, history or the creative arts? If so, visiting museums is an excellent way to keep them interested whilst still learning during the school holidays. In Sydney, we’re spoilt with great choices such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Powerhouse Museum and the National Maritime Museum. If you’re willing to make the trip, you can also visit Questacon, the National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra.

7. Play board games

Another way to keep the learning fun without the financial cost is to play board games with family and friends at home. Board games can help your child develop their cognitive, literacy and numeracy skills without even realising they’re doing it!

8. Teach them a new skill

Use this time to bond with your child and get them learning something new by teaching them a new skill such as cooking. You can make it extra fun by creating your own cooking tutorial video together and acquire some video editing skills while you’re at it.

9. Create art

Get your child to engage their creativity by creating a piece of art that represents something they are passionate about. To encourage them to progressively work on the project, leave the big reveal until the end of the school holidays.

10. Allow moments of boredom

Sometimes, boredom is a good thing. Devices aside, it allows a child to mentally disconnect from the world and enter the world of their imagination. This does wonders for a child’s creativity. Before you know it, they’ll have found something productive to keep them entertained on their own.

Take your pick from the list above as you set out to spend your time productively these summer school holidays. It doesn’t matter what activity you choose, as long as it keeps your child interested, engaged and learning something new about themselves or the world along the way.

For more ideas, see the NSW Department of Education’s guide on recreational activities and ideas.

Summer Holiday Courses – January 2022:

Kindy & Year 1 Catch-up Holiday Course​

Worried your child has missed out on essential learning during lockdown? Catch-up on maths and English and prepare them for the year ahead.
5-Day Summer Holiday Course.

Enrol Now

Year 2 & 3 Catch-up Holiday Course​

Worried your child has missed out on essential learning during lockdown? Catch-up on maths and English and prepare them for the year ahead.
5-Day Summer Holiday Course.

Enrol Now

Selective & Scholarship Holiday Course

Maximise your child’s chances in the New Selective School or Scholarship Test. January Holiday Course.

Enrol Now

‘Become an Author’ Creative Writing Holiday Course

Does your child need help with literacy and writing? Learn a framework for writing that will benefit them for years to come. Available to Kindy to Year 6 students.
You can use your $100 Creative kids vouchers towards this course.

Enrol Now


Education Academy Testimonial
Global Education Reviews
Education Academy
Global Education

Enquire Today

Awards & Recognisation

Australian Small Business Champion Award

Best Educational Service

Winner
Australian Small Business Awards

Best Educational Service

Finalist
Business Women's award

Telstra Business Women’s Award

NSW Small Business Winner
Finalist 2019

Ethnic Business Award

Finalist
Local Business Awards

Local Business Award 2016

Winner
Local Business Awards

Local Business Award 2017

Winner