Fun And Easy Things To Do With Kids During School Holidays

School holidays are a wonderful time to connect with your children and explore your local community together. Finding things to do with kids during school holidays doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. With a little creativity and planning, you can fill those precious weeks with activities that bring joy, learning, and quality family time. This article offers practical ideas to help you entertain kids during school holidays while building stronger family bonds and exploring what your neighbourhood has to offer.

Have a picnic in the park

One of the simplest and most enjoyable things to do with kids during school holidays is having a picnic in a local park. This classic activity gets everyone outdoors, encourages relaxation, and creates lovely family memories. Involve your children in making and packing the food for double the fun. They can help prepare sandwiches, pack fruit, or choose healthy snacks to bring along.​ If the weather's bad, don't let that stop you. An indoor picnic on the living room floor or even a bed picnic can be just as exciting for younger children. The change of routine and the special atmosphere make it feel like an adventure, rain or shine.​

Organise a nature scavenger hunt

Getting outdoors to explore nature is one of the best ways to entertain kids during school holidays. Organise a nature scavenger hunt where children search for items like leaves, stones, feathers, flowers, or pinecones. This activity encourages learning about the natural world while providing plenty of exercise and fresh air.​ You can create your own list of items to find or print ready-made scavenger hunt sheets from the internet. For younger children who can't read yet, use pictorial versions so they can match what they find to the images. This simple activity works in parks, woodlands, or even your own garden, making it accessible for everyone.​

Visit your local library

Local libraries are fantastic community resources that offer much more than just books. Many libraries run themed events, storytime sessions, and holiday activities specifically designed for families during school breaks. Visiting the library is one of the most valuable things to do with kids during school holidays because it fosters a love of reading and creativity.​

Libraries often have cosy reading corners where families can curl up together with books. You can also borrow books, audiobooks, and DVDs to enjoy at home, providing entertainment that lasts well beyond a single visit. Many libraries display noticeboards with information about other local activities and summer projects happening in your area, helping you discover even more ways to stay connected with your community.​

Try fun indoor activities

When you need to stay indoors, cooking and crafting activities are excellent ways to keep children engaged while building practical skills. Cooking together is particularly rewarding because children can enjoy the results of their efforts. Try decorating cupcakes, making simple recipes, or even having a competition to see who can create the most creative dish.​

Crafting projects like making story stones offer both the fun of creating and the joy of using them afterwards. Collect smooth stones, paint or draw characters and objects on them, and then use them to tell stories together. Other popular indoor activities include building obstacle courses using household items, having dance parties, or creating treasure maps.​

Explore water play

Children never tire of water play, making it one of the most reliable ways to entertain kids during school holidays. If you can find a local river or brook for paddling and splashing, that's ideal. Otherwise, a garden sprinkler, paddling pool, or simply providing buckets and bowls outdoors keeps children happily occupied for hours.​

For younger children, bringing out kitchen bowls, cups, and utensils for water play encourages imaginative play and exploration. This simple activity teaches them about pouring, measuring, and cause and effect while they have fun.

Get creative with arts and crafts

Crafting provides endless possibilities for what to do with kids during school holidays. From creating sensory play experiences with rice or sand to making DIY decorations, crafts keep children engaged and help develop fine motor skills. Older children might enjoy more complex projects like designing their own family flag or creating artwork inspired by nature.​

Face painting, making treasure maps with tea-stained paper, or decorating stones are all activities that combine creativity with play. These projects often become keepsakes that remind your family of happy holiday moments.​

Stay active together

Physical activity is essential for children's wellbeing and there are many fun ways to incorporate movement into your holidays. Create your own sports day in the garden or local park with egg and spoon races, three-legged races, or throwing competitions. Make a trophy together as a crafting activity beforehand to add to the excitement.​

Other active options include flying kites, going for bike rides, playing mini golf, or visiting your local swimming pool. These activities help children burn energy while spending quality time together as a family.​

Use the Loci app to find local events

For families looking for a convenient way to discover what to do with kids during school holidays, the Loci app offers a straightforward solution. Use our local community app to find family-friendly local events and activities during the holidays, ensuring you have access to a variety of community options to suit all interests.

Loci connects you directly with what's happening in your neighbourhood, from council-run activities to community events and local attractions. This helps you discover opportunities you might otherwise miss while supporting local organisations and strengthening community connections. With the Loci app, planning your school holidays becomes simpler and more enjoyable for the whole family. Please contact us to learn more about how the Loci app can help you discover everything your local community has to offer.