School holidays can be a time when us parents hear the words "I'm bored" a lot! School holidays can be an amazing time for family bonding and connection to occur, but they can also be expensive and tiring too!

There are many fun and engaging activities you can do with kids during the school holidays in Australia that don't cost a fortune.

Here are 10 of our favourite school holiday activities for kids:

1. Visit a zoo or aquarium :

Australia has some amazing zoos and aquariums where kids can see and learn about a variety of animals. It can be a fun and educational day out. The aquarium is a great option for a rainy day.

2. Go to the beach:

Australia is famous for its beautiful beaches, and kids love playing in the sand and water. Pack a picnic and spend the day building sandcastles, swimming, and playing beach games. Sand play is also a great sensory play activity that provides lots of sensory feedback.

3. Explore a national or local park:

Australia has many stunning national parks with walking trails and wildlife. Take a day trip to a nearby park and enjoy a family hike or picnic.

4. Visit a museum or art gallery:

Many museums and art galleries offer interactive exhibits and workshops for kids. It's a great way to learn about history, science, and art in a fun and engaging way. Often during the school holidays kids can enter these places for free!

5. Have a movie day at home:

Pick some of your kids' favorite movies and spend the day watching them together. Our favourites at the moment are Sonic 2 and Paw Patrol Movie. You can make it even more fun by creating a cozy fort or tent with blankets and pillows. Don't forget the popcorn and snacks!

6. Get active outdoors!

Take the bikes or scooters out for a family ride together! Not only will you use up some of their energy, but it is a no cost activity too. Win - win!

7. Organize a scavenger hunt:

Create a scavenger hunt for your kids, either inside or outside the house. It can be a great way to keep them entertained and engaged. Up the anti by timing it. 

8. Do some baking or cooking together:

Kids love getting messy in the kitchen, and it's a great way to teach them some new skills. You can bake cookies, make pizzas, or try a new recipe together.

9. Have a game day:

Pull out your favorite board games, card games, or video games and spend the day playing together. It can be a fun way to bond as a family. We love Uno and monopoly here!

10. Get messy and do some sensory play at home.

Some ideas including home made play dough, coloured spaghetti, and chalk painting on the pavement. Check out our DIY Rainbow Sensory recipes here.

Free Boredom Buster Activities you can do at home:

There are plenty of fun and creative activities that you can do at home with kids that require little or no preparation. Here are some free play ideas:

1. Build a fort or cubby -

use pillows, blankets, and furniture to create a cozy hideaway for reading or imaginative play.

2. Arts and Crafts -

use recycled materials like paper, egg cartons, and cardboard boxes to create art projects or make DIY toys.

3. Sensory Play -

create a sensory bin with rice, beans, or water and add scoops, spoons, and funnels for exploration.

4. Dress-up -

gather hats, scarves, costumes, and props for imaginative play.

5. Dance Party -

put on your favourite dance party music and dance together.

6. Science Experiments -

use common household items like baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring to create fun and educational experiments.

7. Nature Walks -

explore the outdoors, collect leaves, rocks, and other treasures, and use them to create nature-inspired crafts.

8. Puppet Shows -

create puppets out of socks or paper bags and put on a show for each other.

 

Activities in Melbourne to get your kids out and about during the Victorian School Holidays

There are plenty of activities to do with kids in Melbourne during the Easter school holidays. Here are a few ideas:

1. Visit one of Melbourne's Zoos:

Kids love seeing the animals at the zoo, and the Melbourne Zoo is a great place to spend a day. They also have a special Easter program with activities like an Easter egg hunt, face painting, and more. Did I mention that kids entry is free during the school holidays?

2. Explore the Royal Botanic Gardens:

The Royal Botanic Gardens are a beautiful place to explore, and they have a special children's garden where kids can play and learn about nature. Do you live further away from the city? Why not check out the Cranbourne Botanic Gardens.

3. Go to Luna Park:

Luna Park is an amusement park with rides and games that kids of all ages will enjoy.

4. Visit the Melbourne Aquarium:

The Melbourne Aquarium is a great place to see marine animals up close and learn about their habitats and behaviors.

5. Visit Lego Land Discovery Centre or Archie Brothers:

Both of these venues are at the Social Quarter of Chadstone Shopping Centre.

6. Check out the National Sports Museum:

If your kids are sports fans, they'll love the National Sports Museum, which is located at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

7. Visit Scienceworks:

Scienceworks is a science museum with interactive exhibits that kids will love. They also have a planetarium and lightning room.

8. Have a picnic in one of Melbourne's parks:

Melbourne has many beautiful parks that are perfect for a family picnic. Pack a lunch and spend the day outdoors.

These are just a few ideas for activities to do with kids in Melbourne during the Easter school holidays. You can also check out local events and festivals happening during this time for even more options.